Avant Insurance Ltd v Burnie [2021] NSWCA 272

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Avant Insurance Ltd v Burnie [2021] NSWCA 272 Hearing dates: 11 June 2021 Decision date: 08 November 2021 Before: McCallum JA and Simpson AJA at [1]; Emmett AJA at [40] Decision: (1) Leave to appeal granted. (2) Appeal allowed. (3) Orders made by the primary judge set aside. (4) In lieu thereof, Joinder Motion dismissed with costs. (5) Respondent to pay Applicant's costs of the appeal. (6) If otherwise entitled, Respondent to have an order under the Suitors Fund Act 1951 (NSW). Catchwords: INSURANCE – Appeal from decision joining insurer to proceedings – Whether there was an insured liability – Where insured gave no notice of facts that might give rise to claim – Whether contractual obligation to give notice – Whether breach of obligation cured by statute Legislation Cited: Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth), s 15AB Civil Liability (Third Party Claims Against Insurers) Act 2017 (NSW), ss 3, 4, 5 Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth), ss 40, 54 Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1946 (NSW) Sale of Goods Act 1923 (NSW) Suitors Fund Act 1951 (NSW) Cases Cited: CA & MEC McInally Nominees Pty Ltd v HTW Valuers (Brisbane) Pty Ltd [2009] 2 Qd R 1; [2001] QSC 388 FAI General Insurance Company Limited v Australian Hospital Care Pty Ltd (2001) 204 CLR 641; [2001] HCA 38 Gosford City Council v GIO General Ltd (2003) 56 NSWLR 542; [2003] NSWCA 34 Guild Insurance Ltd v Hepburn [2014] NSWCA 400 Newcastle City Council v GIO General Ltd (1997) 191 CLR 85; [1997] HCA 53 Tara Burnie v Dr Leslie Blackstock [2020] NSWDC 452 Texts Cited: Australian Law Reform Commission, Insurance Contracts (Report No 20, 1982) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Avant Insurance Ltd (Applicant) Tara Burnie (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: M Windsor SC, R Gambi (Applicant) A D Campbell, R Wathukarage (Respondent)