Civil Case: Cable v Sinclair
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On the First Fleet, a lost parcel sparked Australia’s first civil lawsuit. In Cable v Sinclair (1788), convicts Henry and Susannah Kable successfully sued a powerful ship’s captain, showing the rule of law and equal protection by the law was available to convicts in the new colony. This landmark victory embedded justice, fairness, equality and equal legal protection as foundations of Australian democracy today and beyond.
Key Concepts
A lost parcel on the First Fleet led to Australia’s first civil court case, Cable v Sinclair (1788), demonstrating the rule of law in the new colony.
Convicts Henry and Susannah Kable successfully sued a powerful ship’s captain, showing equality before the law applied even to convicts.
The Lost Parcel storybook retells this true event using original letters, court records, and newspapers.
One‑page character cards profile Henry Kable, Susannah Kable, Captain Duncan Sinclair, and Reverend Richard Johnson.
Henry Kable’s story traces his journey from convict to successful businessman, reflecting the importance of property rights and enforcement by the courts to allow economic growth.
The case summary explains trial proceedings, evidence, and the rudimentary early legal system in NSW.
Lesson plans support 3–4 classroom periods aligned with Civics and Citizenship learning outcomes.
Student resources include comprehension tasks, source‑analysis worksheets, and a chronological timeline.
Creative activities encourage students to write plays or narratives based on the lost parcel story.
Primary source documents include court writs, depositions, letters, newspapers, and supporting historical records.
Explore Related Topics
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Equality Before the Law
Outlines the core ideas behind the principle that all individuals are subject to the same laws and entitled to equal legal protection.
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Civil Law
Civil law deals with disputes between individuals, groups and organisations. It provides fair processes for resolving conflicts, enforcing rights and awarding remedies.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
The British applied the doctrine of terra nullius to justify claiming sovereignty over Australia, based on assumptions about agriculture, population, and Indigenous law.