TEMPO SERVICES LTD v STATE OF NEW SOUTH WALES (COMMERCIAL SERVICES GROUP) [1996] NSWCA 519
NSW Caselaw
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TEMPO SERVICES LTD v STATE OF NEW SOUTH WALES
(COMMERCIAL SERVICES GROUP)
SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES — COURT OF APPEAL
PRIESTLEY JA, CLARKE JA and HUNTER AJA
6 March, 28 March 1996
[1996] NSWCA 519
This appeal is one of five heard on the same day, all dealing essentially with the same
point, namely, the breadth of the power of apportionment in s 22 of the Worker's
Compensation Act 1987 since the amendment of that section in September 1995. The
Court decided that it was clear the purpose of sub-s (1A) was to widen the meaning
of the expression "results from more than one injury". What is involved in the wider
test introduced by s 22(1A) is an inquiry whether the incapacity was so connected
with a number of injuries that, as a matter of ordinary common sense and
experience, it should be regarded as having resulted partly from all or any of them.
If the question is answered in the affirmative the apportionment exercise will need to
be carried out.
Priestley JA. I agree with Clarke JA.
Clarke JA. For the reasons given in Council of Sutherland Shire v Baltica
General Insurance Co Ltd & Ors (Court of Appeal, 28 March 1996, unreported)
I propose the following orders:
(1) First respondent be dismissed from the appeal;
(2) Appellant to pay the first respondent's costs of the appeal;
(3) Appeal upheld;
(4) That the proceedings be remitted to the Compensation Court for the
apportionment of liability according to law;
(5) The second respondent to pay the appellant's costs and, if otherwise
qualified, is to have a Suitors Fund Act certificate in respect of those
costs.
I would, however, defer making these orders in order to enable the
parties to consider the reasons of the court in Baltica and to bring in
short minutes of order.
Hunter AJA. I agree with Clarke JA.
(1) First respondent be dismissed from the appeal;
(2) Appellant to pay the first respondent's costs of the appeal;
(3) Appeal upheld;
(4) The proceedings be remitted to the Compensation Court for the
apportionment of liability according to law;
(5) The second respondent to pay the appellant's costs and, if otherwise
qualified, is to have a Suitors Fund Act certificate in respect of those
costs.
I would, however, defer making these orders in order to enable the parties to
consider the reasons of the court in Baltica and to bring in short minutes of order.
Counsel for the appellant: C O'CONNOR QC and P SWEENEY
UNREPORTED JUDGMENTS
Solicitors for the appellant: P W TURK and ASSOCIATES
Counsel for the first respondent: J HISLOP QC
Solicitors for the first respondent: STEPHANIE D QUINN: Newcastle
Counsel for the second respondent: A LESLIE QC and J MOONEY
Solicitors for the second respondent: STEVE MASSELOS and CO