Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network v Nichols [2022] NSWSC 945

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network v Nichols [2022] NSWSC 945 Hearing dates: 16 June 2022 Date of orders: 18 July 2022 Decision date: 18 July 2022 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Harrison AsJ Decision: (1) The amended summons filed 16 February 2022 is dismissed. (2) The plaintiff is to pay the first defendant's costs on an ordinary basis. Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – Insurance claim for personal injury – Reduction in damages – Pre-existing impairment – Appeal against a Medical Assessment Certificate – Jurisdictional error – Dismissed Legislation Cited: Compensation Act 1998 (NSW), ss 78, 323, 327 and 373 Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW) s 69 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 59.10 Workplace Injury Management and Workers Cases Cited: Azzopardi v Tasman UEB Industries Ltd (1985) 4 NSWLR 139 Cole v Wenaline Pty Ltd [2010] NSWSC 78 Collector of Customs v Pozzolanic (1993) 43 FCR 280 Craig v South Australia [1995] HCA 58 (1995) 184 CLR 163 Elcheikh v Diamond Formwork (NSW) Pty Limited (in liquidation) [2013] NSWSC 365 Kolundzic v Quickflex Constructions Pty Ltd [2014] NSWSC 1523 Marina Pitsonis v Registrar Workers Compensation Commission [2008] NSWCA 88 MIAC v Li (2013) 249 CLR 332; [2013] HCA 18 MIBP v Singh (2014) 231 FCR 437; [2014] FCAFC 1 MIMIA v SGLB (2004) 207 ALR 12 Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Wu Shan Liang (1996) 185 CLR 259; [1996] HCA 6 Pitsonis v Registrar of the Workers Compensation Commission [2008] NSWCA 88 Ryder v Sundance Bakehouse [2015] NSWSC 526 The Queen v Australian Stevedoring Industry Board; ex parte Melbourne Stevedoring Co Pty Ltd (1953) 88 CLR 100 Timbarra Protection Coalition Inc v Ross Mining NL (1999) 46 NSWLR 55 Vannini v Worldwide Demolitions Pty Ltd [2018] NSWCA 324 Wingfoot Australia Partners Pty Ltd v Kocak (2013) 252 CLR 480; 303 ALR 64. Category: Principal judgment Parties: Secretary, Ministry of Health (Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network) (Plaintiff) Christine Nichols (First Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Dr S. Blount (Plaintiff) D. Hooke SC with L. Morgan (First Defendant)