Speirs v Gorman - [1966] NZLR 897

Infants and children — Child aged seven years — Whether as matter of law capable of being guilty of contributory negligence — Direction to jury as to standard of care required of such a child.

Juries — Civil action — Three-fourths verdict found — Whether statutory procedure mandatory or directory — Jury told of right to bring in majority verdict — Intimating that they disagreed on only one of several issues — Later bringing in majority verdict on three issues — Whether ground for new trial — Juries Act 1908 s. 152.

Negligence — Contributory negligence — Child aged seven years — Whether as matter of law capable of being guilty of contributory negligence — Direction to jury as to standard of care required of such a child.

Practice and procedure — Trial by jury — Three-fourths verdict found — Jury told of right to bring in majority verdict — Intimating that they disagreed on only one of several issues — Later bringing in majority verdict on three issues — Whether ground for new trial.