Rahman v Al-Maharmeh [2021] NSWCA 31

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Rahman v Al-Maharmeh [2021] NSWCA 31 Hearing dates: 20 October 2020 Date of orders: 15 March 2021 Decision date: 15 March 2021 Before: Meagher JA at [1] Leeming JA at [2] Brereton JA at [3] Decision: (1) Grant leave to appeal; (2) Allow the appeal; (3) Set aside the orders (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) made by the District Court on 20 April 2020; (4) In lieu thereof, grant leave to the plaintiff Samar Abdul Rahman nunc pro tunc under (NSW) Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999, s 109, to commence the proceedings instituted by her in the District Court against Sarah Al-Maharmeh by statement of claim filed in proceedings 2019/190375 on 19 June 2019; and (5) Direct that any party, and Prominent Lawyers in their own right, who wishes to make submissions as to costs, including whether any order should be made under (NSW) Civil Procedure Act 2005, s 99, disallowing the whole or any part of the costs in the proceedings as between Prominent Lawyers and the appellant, lodge submissions and any supporting evidence within 14 days, and that if any party or Prominent Lawyers wishes to respond to such submissions, they do so within a further 14 days thereafter. Catchwords: APPEALS – Leave to appeal – Interlocutory decision disposing of appellant's claim – Whether error resulting in injustice established – Leave granted TRAFFIC LAW AND TRANSPORT – Traffic law – Motor accident legislation – Time limits – Where leave under (NSW) Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999, s 109, refused – Whether full and satisfactory explanation given for delay in circumstances where delay attributable to solicitors – Whether total damages likely to be awarded if claim succeeds not less than 25% of maximum amount awardable for non-economic loss – Calculation of future domestic assistance – Appeal allowed – Leave granted COSTS – Wasted costs order – Where solicitors responsible for failure to commence proceedings in time – Direction made that submissions be lodged as to costs and potential under (NSW) Civil Procedure Act 2005, s 99 Legislation Cited: (NSW) Civil Liability Act 2002, s 15(3) (NSW) Civil Procedure Act 2005, ss 58, 99 (NSW) Limitation Act 1969, s 58(2)(b) (NSW) Motor Accidents Act 1988, s 43A (NSW) Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999, ss 66(2), 95(2)(b), 109, 134 (NSW) Motor Accidents Compensation (Determination of Loss) Order 2009, cl 4 Cases Cited: Al-Ebedi v Guo [2017] NSWDC 107 Christie v Baker [1996] 2 VR 582 Dijakovic v Perez (2015) 71 MVR 334; [2015] NSWCA 174 Dousi v Colgate Palmolive Pty Ltd (1987) 9 NSWLR 374 Eades v Gunestepe (2012) 61 MVR 328; [2012] NSWCA 204 Gordon v Truong (2014) 66 MVR 241; [2014] NSWCA 97 Hall v Nominal Defendant (1966) 117 CLR 423; [1966] HCA 36 Harika v Tupaea (2003) 58 NSWLR 675; [2003] NSWCA 332 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499; [1936] HCA 40 Hunter v Roberts (2019) 88 MVR 456; [2019] NSWCA 116 Karambelas v Zaknic (No 2) (2014) 69 MVR 127; [2014] NSWCA 433 Kelly v Jowett (2009) 76 NSWLR 405; [2009] NSWCA 278 Knaggs v J A Westaway & Sons Pty Ltd (1996) 40 NSWLR 476 Malec v JC Hutton Pty Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 638; [1990] HCA 20 Martin v Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd [1981] 2 NSWLR 430 Miller v Galderisi [2009] NSWCA 353 Nominal Defendant v Manning (2000) 50 NSWLR 139; [2000] NSWCA 80 Rahman v Al-Maharmeh [2020] NSWDC 129 Russo v Aiello [2001] NSWCA 306 Sampco Pty Ltd v Wurth [2015] NSWCA 117 Sinclair v Darwich (2010) 77 NSWLR 166; [2010] NSWCA 195; Walker v Howard (2009) 78 NSWLR 161; [2009] NSWCA 408 Texts Cited: Nil Category: Principal judgment Parties: Samar Abdul Rahman (Appellant) Sarah Al-Maharmeh (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: J Morris SC, G Schipp (Appellant) J Turnbull SC, A Varola (Respondent)