High Court Refuses Special Leave in BYM v The Corporation of the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane – Confirmation of the Queensland Courts’ Decisions

We welcome the High Court of Australia’s decision, handed down on 7 May 2026, to dismiss the application for special leave to appeal in BYM v The Corporation of the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.

The Court confirmed that the application did not raise a question of general importance and had insufficient prospects of success to warrant the grant of special leave.

This outcome means that the decisions of the Supreme Court of Queensland, at both first instance and on appeal, stand. We are grateful that this brings the proceedings to a conclusion and that we have secured a positive outcome for our client.

Our Insurance and Risk team, who acted in this matter, previously explored the Queensland Court of Appeal’s decision and its broader implications for historical abuse claims and vicarious liability.

Read our Insight (27 January 2026) on the QCA decision here:

https://redemont.com/insights/qca-dismisses-appeal-of-bym-v-the-corporation-of-the-trustees-of-the-roman-catholic-archdiocese-of-brisbane-summary-of-the-judgment-and-its-implications-in-an-evolving-legal-landscape/

For the High Court’s response to the application for special leave, see:

https://www.hcourt.gov.au/cases-and-judgments/judgments/special-leave-dispositions/bym-v-corporation-trustees-roman-catholic-archdiocese-brisbane-trading-brisbane-catholic-education-abn-49-991-006-857