Attorney-General v Prince and Gardner - [1998] 1 NZLR 262

Negligence — Duty of care — Application to strike out — Alleged breach of duties owed by the Crown in respect of social workers who prepared reports recommending adoption — Alleged failure of Department of Social Welfare to investigate complaint — Extension of duty into novel circumstances — Policy factors — Children and Young Persons Act 1974.

Infants and children — Adoption — Negligence — Breach of fiduciary duty — Alleged breach of duties owed by the Crown by social workers who prepared reports recommending adoption — Alleged failure of Department of Social Welfare to investigate complaint — Whether Crown owed duty of care to respondents — Children and Young Persons Act 1974.