Secretary, Department of Education v Dawking [2024] NSWCA 4

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Secretary, Department of Education v Dawking [2024] NSWCA 4 Hearing dates: 5 December 2023 Date of orders: 31 January 2024 Decision date: 31 January 2024 Before: Gleeson JA at [1] Mitchelmore JA at [100] Kirk JA at [101] Decision: (1) Appeal dismissed. (2) Appellant to pay the respondent's costs. Catchwords: WORKERS COMPENSATION — Proceedings before Personal Injury Commission — Appeal against decision of presidential member in point of law — Where Deputy President confirmed determination of Member that employer liable to pay workers' compensation to worker — Where worker suffered psychological injury — Where Member determined that employment was the main contributing factor to injury — Whether Deputy President erred in implicitly deciding there was evidence capable of supporting the Member's factual finding — Whether Deputy President erred in implicitly deciding the Member did not misapply or misapprehend relevant legal principles on causation of injury — Whether Deputy President constructively failed to exercise jurisdiction by failing to respond to a substantial and clearly articulated argument Legislation Cited: Personal Injury Commission Act 2020 (NSW), s 52 Teaching Service Act 1980 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 42.1 Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), ss 4, 9, 9A, 11A, 36, 37 Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Act 2012 (NSW) Workplace Injury Management and Workers Management Act 1998 (NSW), ss 294, 352, 353 Personal Injury Commission Rules 2021 (NSW), r 78 Cases Cited: Amaca Pty Ltd (under NSW External Administration) v A B & P Constructions Pty Ltd [2007] NSWCA 220; (2007) Aust Torts Reports 81-910 Avon Downs Pty Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation [1949] 78 CLR 353 AV v AW [2020] NSWWCCPD 9 Badawi v Nexon Asia Pacific Pty Ltd (t/as Commander Australia Pty Ltd) (2009) 75 NSWLR 503; [2009] NSWCA 324 Beale v Government Insurance Office of NSW (1997) 48 NSWLR 430 Bjekic v State of New South Wales [2022] NSWPIC 214 Brambles Industries Limited v Bell [2010] NSWCA 162 Da Ros v Qantas Airways Limited [2010] NSWCA 89 Dranichnikov v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs [2003] HCA 26; (2003) 77 ALJR 1088 Kooragang Cement Pty Ltd v Bates (1994) 35 NSWLR 452 Kostas v HIA Insurance Services Pty Ltd (2010) 241 CLR 390; [2010] HCA 32 Ming v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) (2022) 109 NSWLR 604; [2022] NSWCA 209 Raulston v Toll Pty Ltd [2011] NSWWCCPD 25 Resource Pacific Pty Ltd v Wilkinson [2013] NSWCA 33 SAS Trustee Corporation v Pearce [2009] NSWCA 302 Seltsam Pty Ltd v Ghaleb [2005] NSWCA 208 Soulemezis v Dudley (Holdings) Pty Ltd (1987) 10 NSWLR 247 Tudor Capital Australia Pty Ltd v Christensen [2017] NSWCA 260 Western Districts Developments Pty Ltd and Turnpike Land Pty Ltd v Baulkham Hills Shire Council (2009) 75 NSWLR 706; [2009] NSWCA 283 Wainohu v New South Wales (2011) 243 CLR 181; [2011] HCA 24 Westport Insurance Corporation v Gordian Runoff Ltd (2011) 244 CLR 239; [2011] HCA 37 Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer v Hill [2020] NSWCA 54 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Secretary, Department of Education (Appellant) Diane Dawking (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: J Catsanos SC / S L Warren (Appellant) J W Dodd (Respondent)