In the case of Weedbrook v Partlin [2024] QDC 194, the District Court of Queensland dealt with an application involving Olaf Weedbrook, who, via his litigation guardian Marc Weedbrook, brought a claim against Nathan James Partlin over alleged debts from two written loan agreements totaling $350,000. Partlin, facing concurrent criminal charges of fraud and stealing related to these debts, sought to stay the civil proceedings until the resolution of his criminal case. The court refused to grant a stay, citing insufficient evidence of significant prejudice to Partlin's defense in the criminal proceedings. It allowed the civil matter to proceed with certain conditions to assist Partlin in maintaining his right to silence until the close of the plaintiff's case, particularly adjustments in the compliance with certain pleading rules.
Full text: https://www.sclqld.org.au/caselaw/150622