Adams v. Commissioner of Police [2004] NSWCA 39

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : Adams v. Commissioner of Police [2004] NSWCA 39 revised - 01/03/2004 HEARING DATE(S) : 19 February 2004 JUDGMENT DATE : 27 February 2004

JUDGMENT OF : Mason P at 1; Hodgson JA at 2; Tobias JA at 39 DECISION : Appeal dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS : EVIDENCE - Expert report - Lack of congruence between assumed facts and proved facts - Whether report properly rejected - Whether rejection of evidence by GREAT was a question of law - POLICE - WORKERS' COMPENSATION - Anxiety symptoms - Whether an injury - Whether employment a substantial contributing factor - Whether deficiency of reasons or error of law by GREAT - APPEAL - First instance decision based on two grounds - Whether second ground hypothetical - Whether appeal should be dismissed because no error shown on second ground. Government and Related Employees Appeal Tribunal Act 1980 ss.43, 54 LEGISLATION CITED : Police Regulation (Superannuation) Act 1906, s.1(2) Workers' Compensation Act 1987 ss.4, 9, 9A, 11A Butcher v. The Roads & Traffic Authority [1999] NSWCA 138 CASES CITED : Makita Pty. Ltd. v. Sprowles (2001) 52 NSWLR 705 Paric v. John Holland (Constructions) Pty. Ltd. (1985) 59 ALJR 844 Zinc Corporation Ltd v. Scarce (1995) 12 NSWCCR 566 PARTIES : Michael Benjamin Adams - appellant Commissioner of Police - respondent FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40503/03 COUNSEL : Mr. M. McAuley for appellant Mr. D. Hislop QC with Mr. Spartalis for respondent SOLICITORS : Walter Madden Jenkins, Sydney for appellant NSW Police Service, Court and Legal Services, for respondent