Australian law firm Defteros Lawyers assisting civil Canadian case against Catherine Misson

A Melbourne law firm has become embroiled in a lawsuit against the Aussie former principal of a top Canadian school.

Havergal College in Toronto, Canada.

A local law firm is assisting a high profile Canadian lawyer with his civil case against the ex-principal of a prestigious Australian school, it can be revealed.

Catherine Misson left her role as principal of Melbourne Girl’s Grammar School to be headmistress at the exclusive Havergal College in Toronto in 2019.

Ms Misson and Havergal College are being sued by lawyer Andrew Rogerson, who alleges she and Havergal College failed to protect his seven-year-old daughter from alleged bullying by another student.

Ms Misson and Havergal College deny the claims and have filed a statement of defence in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

Former Melbourne Girls Grammar principal Catherine Mission.

“At all material times, the individual defendants, Misson and White, were acting in their professional capacity and carrying out their professional obligations with reasonable competence and diligence,” their statement of defence stated.

News Corp can reveal Melbourne law firm Defteros Lawyers has been making inquiries in relation to the Canadian lawsuit.

Lawyer George Defteros said he had been instructed by Andrew Rogerson to assist with investigations.

Mr Defteros could not elaborate on the nature of the claims in the lawsuit.

“It’s still in its infancy. So that’s a matter for future consultation and assessment,” he said.

Ms Misson, who is married to former Demon’s high-performance coach David Misson, quit as headmistress of Havergal College after the Rogerson allegations were made and is believed to have returned to Australia.

Canadian lawyer Andrew Rogerson.

Mr Rogerson’s statement of claim alleges his daughter Grace was physically assaulted and bullied by another female student because she was of “Asian and Australian descent”.

“Grace has been subject to consistent verbal and physical bullying at the hands of another Havergal pupil, who is … caucasian,” it read.

Ms Misson and Havergal responded by accusing Mr Rogerson of “misstating facts” and “ignored significant findings made by the school”.

“Rogerson also planned, deliberate, and far reaching media campaign concurrent with the commencement of this litigation, intended to embarrass the school and Student A’s family,” according to the statement of defence.

A spokeswoman for Melbourne Girls Grammar School said: “We are aware of the investigation, however the School respects privacy and doesn’t respond to queries regarding its staff or former staff.

Ms Misson was approached for comment.