Equitable contribution based on coordinate liability as partners is available concurrently with statutory contribution under the Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic), not only where the statutory claim is barred. The defence of laches remains available in respect of equitable claims even where a statutory limitation period applies by analogy under s 5(8) of the Limitation of Actions Act 1958 (Vic), but will only succeed in unusual or exceptional cases where specific prejudice from the delay is demonstrated. Medical reports recording patient histories are admissible as first-hand hearsay under s 63(2)(a) of the Evidence Act 2008 where the practitioner reads the report aloud under s 32(3) without actual memory being revived.
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