Onepath Life Ltd v Standley [2020] NSWCA 321

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Onepath Life Ltd v Standley [2020] NSWCA 321 Hearing dates: 13 November 2020 Date of orders: 10 December 2020 Decision date: 10 December 2020 Before: Macfarlan JA at [1]; Meagher JA at [2]; McCallum JA at [54]. Decision: (1) Appeal dismissed. (2) Appellant pay respondent's costs. Catchwords: INSURANCE – life and disability insurance – where claim for total and permanent disablement – where definition required insured to be totally and permanently disabled after three month absence from "Own Occupation" – whether three month period must commence on date insured left employment – whether insured can satisfy definition due to psychological condition arising after initial three month absence from engaging in occupation INSURANCE – claims – proof – where claim for total and permanent disablement – whether medical evidence establishes insured unable and unlikely ever again to be able to engage in "Own Occupation" Cases Cited: Finch v Telstra Super Pty Ltd (2010) 242 CLR 254; [2010] HCA 36 Suttor v Gundowda (1950) 81 CLR 418; [1950] HCA 35 TAL Life Ltd v Shuetrim (2016) 91 NSWLR 439; [2016] NSWCA 68 Water Board v Moustakas (1988) 180 CLR 491; [1988] HCA 12 Wilkie v Gordian Runoff Ltd (2005) 221 CLR 522; [2005] HCA 17 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Onepath Life Ltd (appellant) Aaron Standley (respondent) Representation: Counsel: G Watson SC with K Morris (appellant) R de Meyrick (respondent)