Hobbins v. Commonwealth of Australia [2003] NSWCA 206

Reported Decision : 59 NSWLR 463

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : Hobbins v. Commonwealth of Australia [2003] NSWCA 206 HEARING DATE(S) : 23 July 2003 JUDGMENT DATE : 23 July 2003

JUDGMENT OF : Meagher ACJ at 1, 31, 33; Handley JA at 32; Hodgson JA at 2 DECISION : 1. Claimant granted any necessary extension of time for this application. 2. Leave to appeal granted. 3. Claimant to file notice of appeal within fourteen days. 4. Appeal allowed with costs. 5. Order of primary judge set aside, and in lieu thereof opponent's notice of motion dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS : LIMITATION OF ACTIONS - Commonwealth authority - Right of action by employee for personal injuries - Statutory removal of that right - Exception requiring election - Election made - When did cause of action arise? LEGISLATION CITED : Safety, Rehabilitation & Compensation Act 1988 (Cth), ss.44 and 45 Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) ss.18A and 63 Austral Pacific Group Ltd. (In Liq) v Airservices Australia (2000) 203 CLR 136 Coburn v. Colledge [1897] 1 QB 702 Commonwealth of Australia v. Mewett (1997) 191 CLR 471 CASES CITED : Harding v. Lithgow Corporation (1937) 57 CLR 186 Janssen v. Commonwealth [1994] 2 QdR 596 Kinzett v McCourt (1999) 46 NSWLR 32 Olkers v. Ellis [1914] 2 KB 139 Walsh v. Commonwealth of Australia (1998) 145 FLR 194 PARTIES : Shane Thomas Hobbins - claimant Commonwealth of Australia - opponent FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40915/02 COUNSEL : Mr. S.G. Campbell SC with Mr. B. O'Sullivan for claimant Mr. S. Gaegler SC with Mr. G.T. Johnson for opponent SOLICITORS : Whitelaw McDonald, Newcastle for claimant Australian Government Solicitor, Sydney for opponent