Ellis v Reko Pty Limited [2009] NSWDC 288

New South Wales District Court

CITATION: Ellis v Reko Pty Limited [2009] NSWDC 288

JUDGMENT DATE: 4 November 2009

JURISDICTION: District Court

JUDGMENT OF: Knox SC DCJ at 1

DECISION: The Notice of Motion is dismissed. The plaintiff is to pay the defendant's costs.

CATCHWORDS: Limitations: s109 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999: Full and satisfactory explanation for delay: whether notification of Workers Compensation claim sufficient explanation by itself.

LEGISLATION CITED: Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 Workers Compensation Act 1987

Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor [1996] HCA 25 (1996); 186 CLR 541 Holt v Wynter [2000] NSW CA 143; [2000] 49 NSWLR 128 Mancini v Thompson [2002] NSWCA 38 CASES CITED: Laidlaw & Anor v Touma 2002 NSWCA 190 Russo v Aiello [2003] HCA 53; (2003) 215 CLR 643 Smith v Grant [2006] NSWCA 244 Figliuzzi v Yonan [2005] NSWCA 290 Sauer v Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd [2006] NSW CA 364

PARTIES: Christopher Ellis Reko Pty Limited

FILE NUMBER(S): 2784/09

COUNSEL: Plaintiff: Mr R Goodridge Defendant: Mr P Rickard

SOLICITORS: Firths The Compensation Lawyers Goldbergs Solicitors

DISTRICT COURT OF NSW CIVIL JURISDICTION AT SYDNEY

4 November 2009

Judge BJ Knox SC Christopher Ellis

v

Reko Pty Limited No: 2784/09 Counsel

Plaintiff: Mr R Goodridge instructed by Firths – The Compensation Lawyers Defendant: Mr P Rickard instructed by Goldbergs Solicitors.

Judgment

Proceedings

1. By Notice of Motion dated 26 June, 2009, Christopher Ellis ("the applicant") has sought leave to commence proceedings against the defendant pursuant to the provisions of s109(3)(1)(a) of the Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 ('the Act'). The defendant opposes the grant of leave. 2. Under s109 of the Act an applicant is disentitled to commence proceedings in respect of a claim more than 3 years after the date of the relevant motor accident except without leave.