Mason, Graeme v Murray's Charter Coaches & Travel Services Pty Ltd [1998] FCA 1430

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

LIMITATION OF ACTIONS – extension of limitation period – personal injury – whether NSW or ACT limitation legislation to apply where tort committed in NSW but proceedings commenced in ACT – whether s. 56, Limitation Act 1985 (ACT) to be construed according to the two limb test in McKain v RW Miller and Co (South Australia) Pty Limited – whether second limb of McKain test is satisfied under the substantive law of NSW – whether, in considering the second limb of the McKain test, NSW limitation law should apply to the exclusion of conflicting ACT limitation law - whether 'procedural' laws restricting damages under NSW legislation are relevant to the discretion to extend limitation period - whether fair and just to exercise discretion to extend limitation period - whether prejudice to parties sufficient to refuse extension of time – whether delay in commencing proceedings sufficient to refuse extension of time - whether hardship to plaintiff sufficient to allow extension of time - Limitation Act 1985 (ACT), ss. 36(2), 56, 57 - Workers' Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), s. 151D(2). Limitation Act 1985 (ACT), ss. 36(2), 56, 57 Workers' Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), s. 151D(2) McIntosh v Southern Meats Pty Ltd [1997] Australian Torts Reports 81-424; considered Breavington v Godleman (1988) 169 CLR 41, at 110-111; considered McKain v RW Miller and Co (South Australia) Pty Limited (1991) 174 CLR 1, at 39; followed Stevens v Head (1993) 176 CLR 433; followed Gardner v Wallace (1995) 184 CLR 95; followed Salido v Nominal Defendant (1993) 32 NSWLR 524 (CA); considered Rose v Kwow (1994) 121 ACTR 1; considered Martin v Molluso Enterprises Pty Limited (1994) 20 MVR 432; discussed Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor (1996) 186 CLR 541 at 544, 547, 550-552, 555 –556, 566, 567-568; applied Kontis v Barlin (1993) 115 ACTR 11; referred to Phillips v Eyre (1870) 6 LR QB 1, at 28-29; referred to Thompson v Hill (1995) 38 NSWLR 714(CA); considered Kolsky v Mayne Nickless Ltd (1970) 72 SR (NSW) 437, at 444; considered Walker v WA Pickles Pty Ltd [1980] 2 NSWLR 28, at 289; considered Commonwealth v Mewett (1997) 146 ALR 299, at 316, 340; considered Samulski v Swinbourn (1996) 23 MVR 377; applied Sydney City Council v Zegarac, NSW CA unreported, 26 February 1998; considered GRAEME MASON v MURRAY'S CHARTER COACHES AND TRAVEL SERVICES PTY LIMITED JUDGES: HIGGINS, DRUMMOND AND SACKVILLE JJ PLACE: CANBERRA DATED: 2 NOVEMBER 1998