Insurance Australia Limited t/as NRMA Insurance v Momand [2024] NSWSC 1529

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Insurance Australia Limited t/as NRMA Insurance v Momand [2024] NSWSC 1529 Hearing dates: 12 November 2024 Date of orders: 04 December 2024 Decision date: 04 December 2024 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Price AJ Decision: (1) The decision of the Delegate of the President of the Personal Injury Commission made on 8 February 2024 is quashed. (2) The matter is remitted to the President of the Personal Injury Commission for determination of the application made by the plaintiff under s 7.26(1) of the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 (NSW) according to law. (3) The first defendant is to pay the plaintiff's costs. Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – judicial review – motor accident injury – whole person impairment based on PTSD – where President's Delegate refused plaintiff's application for medical assessment and medical assessment certificate to be referred to a review panel for review – whether failure to consider a substantial and clearly articulated argument – whether Delegate erred in decision to not allow a review of the medical assessment certificate Legislation Cited: Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 (NSW), ss 1.4, 1.9, 7.1, 7.21(1), 7.23(1), 7.23(7), 7.26, 7.26(1), 7.26(5) Sch 2 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), s 61(9) Cases Cited: Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Cervantes [2012] NSWCA 244; (2012) 61 MVR 443 Campbelltown City Council v Vegan (2006) 67 NSWLR 372; [2006] NSWCA 284 Dranichnikov v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs [2003] HCA 26; (2003) 77 ALJR 1088 Farr v Insurance Australia Limited t/as NRMA Insurance Ltd [2014] NSWSC 1435; (2014) 68 MVR 445 Insurance Australia Ltd t/a NRMA Insurance v Milton [2016] NSWCA 156; (2016) 77 MVR 78 Mandoukos v Allianz Australia Insurance Limited [2024] NSWCA 71 Meeuwissen v Boden (2010) 78 NSWLR 143; [2010] NSWCA 253 Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Ltd (1986) 162 CLR 24; [1986] HCA 40 QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited v Alawia [2016] NSWSC 1875 Wingfoot Australia Partners Pty Ltd v Kocak (2013) 252 CLR 480; [2013] HCA 43 Texts Cited: American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5 (5th edition, 2013, American Psychiatric Association) State Insurance Regulatory Authority, Motor Accidents Guidelines Version 9.1, cll 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.213 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Insurance Australia Limited trading as NRMA Insurance (Plaintiff) Hedgerat Ahmad Momand (First Defendant) President of the Personal Injury Commission of New South Wales (Second Defendant) Representation: Counsel: M Allars SC (Plaintiff) E Romanuik SC / G Young (First Defendant)