Stein v Ryden [2022] NSWCA 212

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Stein v Ryden [2022] NSWCA 212 Hearing dates: 9 September 2022 Date of orders: 26 October 2022 Decision date: 26 October 2022 Before: Macfarlan JA at [1] Gleeson JA at [2] Griffiths AJA at [3] Decision: (1) The applicant has leave to appeal. (2) The appeal is allowed. (3) The judgment and orders dated 16 December 2021 are set aside, save for order 1. (4) Leave is granted to the applicant to commence proceedings in the District Court of NSW pursuant to s 109(1) of the Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW). (5) The respondent pay the applicant's costs of and incidental to the appeal and of the proceedings below. (6) The notice of contention filed on 11 April 2022 is dismissed. Catchwords: LIMITATION OF ACTIONS – Motor accidents – Failure to commence proceedings within three years of accident – Requirements of leave under Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) ss 66(2) and 109(3)(a) – Whether a "full and satisfactory" explanation for delay – Whether evidence required by each of the applicant's former legal advisors to constitute a full and satisfactory explanation for delay Legislation Cited: District Court Act 1973 (NSW) Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) Personal Injury Commission Act 2020 (NSW) Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW) Cases Cited: Dijakovic v Perez [2015] NSWCA 174; (2015) 71 MVR 334 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499; [1936] HCA 40 Hunter v Roberts [2019] NSWCA 116; (2019) 88 MVR 456 Karambelas v Zaknic (No 2) [2014] NSWCA 433; (2014) 69 MVR 127 Nominal Defendant v Browne [2013] NSWCA 19; (2013) 64 MVR 214 Rahman v Al-Maharmeh [2021] NSWCA 31; (2021) 95 MVR 394 Walker v Howard (2009) 78 NSWLR 161; [2009] NSWCA 408 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Annemie Nathalie Stein (Applicant) Sten Patrick Ryden (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: B Kelleher SC, B Jones (Applicant) J Turnbull SC, J Sleight (Respondent)