Rahman v Institute of Languages New South Global Pty Limited

Rahman v Institute of Languages New South Global Pty Limited concerned a dispute between Mr Rahman and the Institute of Languages New South Global Pty Limited. The case was heard in the High Court of Australia.

The central legal issue before the High Court was whether the Institute of Languages New South Global Pty Limited had breached its duty of care to Mr Rahman, a student, by failing to adequately supervise him during a practical exercise. This exercise involved Mr Rahman using a piece of equipment that subsequently caused him injury. The court was required to consider the scope of the duty of care owed by an educational institution to its students in such circumstances.

Gummow and Heydon JJ found that the Institute had not breached its duty of care. Their Honours reasoned that the Institute had taken reasonable steps to ensure the safety of its students, including providing appropriate instruction and supervision for the use of the equipment. The court applied the principles of negligence, focusing on whether the Institute's conduct fell below the standard of care expected of a reasonable educational institution in similar circumstances. The evidence did not establish that the supervision provided was inadequate or that the injury sustained by Mr Rahman was a foreseeable consequence of any failure in supervision.

The High Court therefore allowed the appeal and set aside the judgment of the lower court.