Resolution Life Australasia Ltd v N.M. Superannuation Pty Ltd [2023] NSWCA 138

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Resolution Life Australasia Ltd v N.M. Superannuation Pty Ltd [2023] NSWCA 138 Hearing dates: 16 May 2023 Date of orders: 22 June 2023 Decision date: 22 June 2023 Before: Meagher JA at [1]; Adamson JA at [86]; Basten AJA at [93] Decision: Appeal dismissed with costs. Catchwords: INSURANCE – life insurance – proper construction of life insurance contract – where made between life insurer and trustee of superannuation fund in respect of portfolio of fund members – where in relation to cover trustee has equitable and statutory obligations to act in best interests of members – whether in contracts providing for the payment of monthly premiums as a condition precedent to the continuation of cover trustee has promised to pay monthly premiums to life insurer Legislation Cited: Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth), Pt IV Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth), ss 19, 52, 54B Cases Cited: Amcor Ltd v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (2005) 222 CLR 241; [2005] HCA 10 Foskett v McKeown [2001] 1 AC 102 Goomboorian Transport Pty Ltd v Hanson [2018] QSC 135 Hanson v Goomboorian Transport Pty Ltd [2019] 3 Qd R 375; [2019] QCA 41 Mackay v Dick (1881) 6 App Cas 251 Maggbury Pty Ltd v Hafele Australia Pty Ltd (2001) 210 CLR 181; [2001] HCA 70 New York Life Insurance Co v Statham 93 US 24 (1876) New Zealand Shipping Company Ltd v Société des Ateliers et Chantiers de France [1919] AC 1 Newbon v City Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd (1935) 52 CLR 723; [1935] HCA 33 Pritchard v The Merchant's and Tradesmen's Mutual Life-Assurance Society (1858) 3 CB(NS) 622 [140 ER 885] Stuart v Freeman (1903) 1 KB 47 Texts Cited: R A Anderson and M S Rhodes, Couch on Insurance (2nd (rev) ed, vol 6, 1985, The Lawyers Cooperative Publishing Co) J Birds et al, MacGillivray on Insurance Law (15th ed, 2022, Thompson Reuters) M A Clarke, The Law of Insurance Contracts (6th ed, 2009, Informa) W I B Enright and R M Merkin, Sutton on Insurance Law (4th ed, vol 2, 2015, Lawbook Co) E J MacGillivray, Insurance Law (1st ed, 1912, Sweet and Maxwell) J R Plitt et al, Couch on Insurance (3rd ed, vol 5, 2023, Thomson Reuters) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Resolution Life Australasia Ltd (Appellant) N. M. Superannuation Pty Ltd (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: G K Rich SC with J Burnett T M Faulkner SC with D Klineberg