Somyaying v AAI Limited t/as GIO [2021] NSWSC 1466

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Somyaying v AAI Limited t/as GIO [2021] NSWSC 1466 Hearing dates: 9 July 2021 Date of orders: 15 November 2021 Decision date: 15 November 2021 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Harrison AsJ Decision: The Court Orders: (1) The Review Panel decision and certificate dated 16 January 2020 is set aside. (2) The proceedings are remitted to the second defendant for determination by a differently constituted Appeal Panel according to law. (3) The first defendant is to pay the plaintiff's costs on an ordinary basis. Catchwords: JUDICIAL REVIEW – Assessment of whole body impairment – Extension of time – UCPR 59.10 –Failure to respond to a substantial and clearly articulated argument – Duty to provide reasons – Jurisdictional error – Error on the face of the record – Denial of procedural fairness – Decision of Review Panel set aside Legislation Cited: Motor Accident Authority Guidelines, cl 1.145 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), ss 44, 57 to 58, 60 to 63, 106, 131 and 133 SIRA Motor Accident Permanent Impairment Guidelines, Cl 1.111 to 1.117, 1.138 to 1.142, Table 7, Table 8 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), rr 1.2, 59.10 Cases Cited: Allianz Australia Insurance Limited v Francica [2012] NSWSC 1577 Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Cervantes [2012] NSWCA 244 Balde v AAI Ltd t/as GIO [2020] NSWSC 1623 Boyce v Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd (2018) 96 NSWLR 356 Campbelltown City Council v Vegan (2006) NSWCA 284 Commissioner for ACT Revenue v Alphaone Pty Ltd [1994] FCA 293; 49 FCR 576 Norrington v QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd [2021] NSWSC 548 Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs; Ex Parte Lam (2003) 214 CLR 1; [2004] HCA 6 Rodger v De Gelder [2015] NSWCA 211 Rodger v De Gelder (2011) 80 NSWLR 594; [2011] NSWCA 97 Slade v Insurance Australia Limited t/as NRMA [2020] NSWSC 1031 Wingfoot Australia Partners Pty Ltd v Kocak (2013) 252 CLR 480; [2013] HCA 43 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Srirat Somyaying (Plaintiff) AAI Limited t/as GIO General Insurance (First Defendant) The President of the Personal Injury Commission of New South Wales (Second Defendant) Dr Ian Cameron, Dr Rhys Gray and Dr Drew Dixon in their capacity as a Medical Review Panel appointed by the second defendant (Third Defendant) Representation: Counsel: S McCarthy with M Eirth (Plaintiff) K. Rewell SC (First Defendant)