Searle v McGregor [2022] NSWCA 213

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Searle v McGregor [2022] NSWCA 213 Hearing dates: 29 June 2022 Date of orders: 26 October 2022 Decision date: 26 October 2022 Before: Bell CJ at [1] Ward P at [2] Kirk JA at [3] Decision: The orders of the Court are as follows: (1) Grant leave to appeal on grounds 1 and 4 in the draft notice of appeal. (2) The appellant is to file a notice of appeal in terms of the draft notice of appeal, but excluding grounds 2 and 3, within seven days. (3) Set aside the orders of the District Court made on 15 December 2021, and in lieu thereof order that: (a) the application for leave to proceed under s 26 of the Personal Injury Commission Act 2020 (NSW), and the proceeding, be dismissed; (b) there be no order as to costs. (4) The appellant is to pay the respondent's costs in this Court. Catchwords: CONSTITUTIONAL LAW — Federal jurisdiction — Principle in Burns v Corbett — Inability of administrative tribunal to determine matters where judicial power being exercised — Taking administrative steps preliminary to exercising judicial power PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS — Statutory interpretation — Section 26 of the Personal Injury Commission Act 2020 (NSW) — Legislative response to Burns v Corbett — Meaning of "compensation matter application" — Compensation matter application refers to applications made in respect of a particular dispute or issue that has arisen in the course of dealing with a claim, not a generic reference — No specific application requiring determination was presented in this case Legislation Cited: Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (NSW), Pt 3A Commonwealth Constitution, Ch 3, ss 75, 76 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth), ss 39, 78B Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 (NSW), ss 1.3, 1.6, Pts 3-4, ss 6.12, 6.14-6.15, 6.22-6.26, 6.30-6.32, 7.32, 7.34, 7.36-7.38, Sch 2 Motor Accident Injuries Regulation 2017 (NSW), reg 4 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) Personal Injury Commission Act 2020 (NSW), ss 3, 5(1), 10, 12(1), 24-27, 33, 39, 44 Personal Injury Commission Regulation 2020 (NSW), reg 10 Personal Injury Commission Rules 2021, r 77(b)(iv) Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth), Pts V and VI Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), Pts 3, 5 Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 (NSW), ss 105, 250, 254-258, 260-264, 287-331 Cases Cited: Albarran v Members of the Companies Auditors and Liquidators Disciplinary Board (2007) 231 CLR 350; [2007] HCA 23 Attorney General (NSW) v Gatsby (2018) 99 NSWLR 1; [2018] NSWCA 254 Attorney-General (Cth) v Alinta Limited (2008) 233 CLR 542; [2008] HCA 2 Attorney-General (Cth) v Breckler (1999) 197 CLR 83; [1999] HCA 28 Burns v Corbett (2018) 265 CLR 304; [2018] HCA 15 Citta Hobart Pty Ltd v Cawthorn (2022) 96 ALJR 476; [2022] HCA 16 Gaynor v Attorney General of New South Wales (2020) 102 NSWLR 123; [2020] NSWCA 48 Meringnage v Interstate Enterprises Pty Ltd (2020) 60 VR 361; [2020] VSCA 30 Parente v Bell (1967) 116 CLR 528; [1967] HCA 19 R v Trade Practices Tribunal; Ex parte Tasmanian Breweries Pty Ltd (1970) 123 CLR 361; [1970] HCA 8 Re McBain; Ex parte Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (2002) 209 CLR 372; [2002] HCA 16 Sweedman v Transport Accident Commission (2006) 226 CLR 362; [2006] HCA 8 Watson v Marshall and Cade (1971) 124 CLR 621; [1971] HCA 33 Wingfoot Australia Partners Pty Ltd v Kocak (2013) 252 CLR 480; [2013] HCA 43 Texts Cited: Motor Accident Guidelines (version 7) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Graham Searle (Appellant) Malcolm McGregor (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: J B Turnbull SC / S Warren / R D Turnbull (Appellant) A Stone SC / M Holz / J Magee (Respondent)