Dyer v Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific Limited formerly Dyno Wesfarmers Limited Knuckey & 3 Ors v Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific Limited formerly Dyno Wesfarmers Limited [2003] NSWSC 213

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Dyer v Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific Limited formerly Dyno Wesfarmers Limited Knuckey & 3 Ors v Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific Limited formerly Dyno Wesfarmers Limited [2003] NSWSC 213 HEARING DATE(S) : 21.10.02 JUDGMENT DATE : 27 March 2003 JURISDICTION: Common law JUDGMENT OF : Mathews AJ DECISION : No amendment of either statement of claim is necessary. The actions are to proceed on the basis that Papua New Guinea law applies by dint of the choice of law rules. The costs of these applications are to be costs in the cause.

CATCHWORDS : Compensation to Relatives proceedings commenced in NSW - deceased died in accident in Papua New Guinea - statements of claim said to be pursuant to NSW Compensation to Relatives Act - application to amend statements of claim to insert claims under Wrongs Act (PNG) following High Court judgment in Regie National des Usines Renault SA v Zhang - actions now statute barred in Papua New Guinea - whether Papua New Guinea limitations legislation applies to defeat claims - discussion of the effect of Zhang - held that amendment not necessary. Compensation to Relatives Act 1897 LEGISLATION CITED : Wrongs (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (PNG) Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW) Supreme Court Rules Regie National des Usines Renault SA v Zhang [2002] 187 ALR 2 CASES CITED : Koop v Bebb (1951) 84 CLR 629 John Pfeiffer Pty Limited v Rogerson (2000) 203 CLR 503 Walker v WA Pickles Pty Ltd [1980] 2 NSWLR 281 Jacquelyn Dyer - Plaintiff Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific Limited formerly Dyno Wesfarmers Limited - Defendant Margaret Knuckey and 3 ors - Plaintiffs PARTIES : Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific Limited formerly Dyno Wesfarmers Limited - Defendants Workcover Queensland - First Cross Defendant MMI Workers' Compensation Insurance - Second Cross Defendant QBE Insurance (PNG) Limited - Third Cross Defendant FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 20315/96; 20744/97 Ms A Katzmann SC with Mr M Cahill - Plaintiff Dyer Mr M Joseph SC with M M Cahill - Plaintiff Knuckey COUNSEL : Mr N Cotman SC with Mr R Parsons - Defendant Mr J Sharpe SC for Workcover Queensland - First Cross Defendant Mr C Hoeben SC for MMI Workers' Compensation (NSW) Limited - Second Cross-Defendant Mr M Sheller for QBE Insurance (PNG) Limited - third Cross Defendant Ken Hooper & Assoc - Gatton Qld - Plaintiff Dyer Slater & Gordon - Plaintiff Knuckey SOLICITORS : Gadens Lawyers Brisbane - Defendants Thynne & McCartney - Brisbane - First Cross Defendant Hickson Wisewoulds - Second Cross Defendant Phillips Fox - Third Cross Defendant