Gardiner v Laing O’Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd [2020] NSWCA 151

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Gardiner v Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd [2020] NSWCA 151 Hearing dates: 1 July 2020 Date of orders: 23 July 2020 Decision date: 23 July 2020 Before: Basten JA at [1]; Leeming JA at [72]; Emmett AJA at [89] Decision: (1) Allow the appeal from the decision of the President dated 19 December 2019. (2) With respect to the proceedings in the Workers Compensation Commission: (a) set aside the order of the President dismissing an appeal from the determination of an Arbitrator of 28 June 2019; (b) set aside the order confirming the certificate of determination of the Arbitrator; (c) set aside the certificate of determination made by the Arbitrator on 28 June 2019. (3) Remit the matter to the Workers Compensation Commission to determine the remaining issues in the dispute. (4) Order that the respondent pay the appellant's costs of the proceeding in this Court. Catchwords: DEEDS – deed of release – construction – express terms of deed – whether deed of release relating to the settlement of complaints relating to discriminatory conduct discharged liabilities arising out of workers' compensation legislation – where entitlement to sue under workers compensation legislation expressly preserved WORKERS' COMPENSATION – entitlement to compensation – exclusions – payment to settle complaint under Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) – whether payment constituted "damages" under Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), s 149 – operation of Workers Compensation Act, s 151A, s 280B WORDS AND PHRASES – "damages", "monetary compensation" – Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), ss 149, 151A Legislation Cited: Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW), ss 49B, 49D, 53, 89A, 89B, 91A, 108, 113, 123; Pt 9 Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 3, 3B, 15B; Pt 2 Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW), s 35 Legal Profession Act 1987 (NSW), s192 Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth), s 81 Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), ss 2A, 4, 9, 66, 149, 151, 151A, 151C, 151D, 151DA, 151E, 151H, 151U; Pt 3, Divs 2, 4; Pt 5, Divs 2, 3 Workers' Compensation Act 1926 (NSW), s 63 Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 (NSW), ss 4, 234, 250, 253, 254, 255, 260, 280A, 280B, 352, 353, 376; Ch 7, Pts 1, 7, Pt 2, Divs 2, 4 Cases Cited: Australian Iron & Steel Pty Ltd v Najdovska (1988) 12 NSWLR 587 Commissioner of Police v Estate of Russell (2002) 55 NSWLR 232; [2002] NSWCA 272 Commissioner of Police, NSW Police v Mooney (No 3) [2004] NSWADTAP 22 Commissioners of Taxation (NSW) v Meeks (1915) 19 CLR 568; [1915] HCA 34 Dionisatos v Acrow Formwork & Scaffolding Pty Ltd (2015) 91 NSWLR 34; [2015] NSWCA 281 Eberstaller v Poulos (2014) 87 NSWLR 394; [2014] NSWCA 211 Federal Broom Co Pty Ltd v Semlitch (1964) 110 CLR 626; [1964] HCA 34 Grant v John Grant & Sons Pty Ltd (1954) 91 CLR 112; [1954] HCA 23 Hall v A & A Sheiban Pty Ltd (1989) 20 FCR 217 Heavy Minerals Pty Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1966) 115 CLR 512; [1966] HCA 60 Henry Jones (IXL) Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (1991) 31 FCR 64 Inghams Enterprises Pty Ltd v Hannigan [2020] NSWCA 82 Koutsourais v Metledge & Associates [2004] NSWCA 313 Macteldir Pty Ltd v Dimovski [2005] FCA 1528; 226 ALR 773 McLaurin v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1961) 104 CLR 381; [1961] HCA 9 Mercantile Mutual Life Insurance Co Ltd v Australian Securities Commission (1992) 40 FCR 409 National Insurance Co of New Zealand Ltd v Espagne (1961) 105 CLR 569; [1961] HCA 15 Northern Sydney Local Health District v Amaca Pty Ltd (Under NSW Administered winding up) [2017] NSWCA 251 Patrick Stevedores No. 2 Pty Ltd v the proceeds of sale of vessel MV "Skulptor Konenkov" (1997) 75 FCR 47 Qantas Airways Ltd v Gubbins (1992) 28 NSWLR 26 Redding v Lee (1983) 151 CLR 115; [1983] HCA 16 Spencer v Dowling [1997] 2 VR 127; [1996] VSC 51 The Queen v Khazaal (2012) 246 CLR 601; [2012] HCA 26 Texts Cited: D Foskett, Foskett on Compromise (9th ed, Sweet & Maxwell, 2020), p 427 Category: Principal judgment Parties: James Gardiner (Appellant) Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr J Kirk SC / Mr S Tzouganatos (Appellant) Mr J Catsanos SC / Mr S Flett (Respondent