Vorillas v Haratsaris [2005] NSWCA 109

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Vorillas v Haratsaris [2005] NSWCA 109

HEARING DATE(S): 23/03/05

JUDGMENT DATE: 12 April 2005

JUDGMENT OF: Ipp JA; Brownie AJA

DECISION: 1. Leave to appeal granted. 2. Appeal allowed. 3.Orders made by McLoughlin DCJ on 11 May 2004 set aside. 4.In lieu thereof, order that the application made by Mr Haratsaris by notice of motion filed on 9 September 2003 be dismissed with costs. 5. Order that Mr Haratsaris pay the costs of Mr Vorillas on the present application and appeal. 6. Mr Haratsaris to have a certificate under the Suitors' Fund Act 1951.

CATCHWORDS: Motor Accidents Act - full and satisfactory explanation for delay

LEGISLATION CITED: Motor accidents Act 1988 ss 40-67

Diaz v Truong [2002] NSWCA 265 CASES CITED: Manderson v Ellis [2002] NSWCA 289 Russo v Aiello [2002] HCA 53

Con Vorillas - Claimant PARTIES: Theo Haratsaris - Opponent

FILE NUMBER(S): CA CA 40397/04

Mr W M Fitzsimmons - Claimant COUNSEL: Mr B Ferrari - Opponent

Moray & Agnew - Claimant SOLICITORS: Bechara & Co - Opponent

LOWER COURT JURISDICTION: District Court

LOWER COURT FILE NUMBER(S): DC 4168/03

LOWER COURT JUDICIAL OFFICER: McLoughlin DCJ

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES COURT OF APPEAL CA 40397/04 DC 4168/03

IPP JA BROWNIE AJA

Tuesday 12 April 2005 CON VORILLAS v THEO HARATSARIS Judgment 1 IPP JA: I agree with Brownie AJA. 2 BROWNIE AJA: Mr Vorillas seeks leave to appeal from a decision of McLoughlin DCJ, granting to Mr Haratsaris leave under s52(4) of the Motor Accidents Act 1988 (the Act) to commence proceedings for damages for personal injuries sustained in a motor accident that occurred on 29 August 1999. Section 52 of the Act requires such an action to be commenced within three years of the accident, unless by leave. Section 52(4B) provides that this leave "must not be granted unless … the claimant provides a full and satisfactory explanation to the court for the delay", and s40(2) provides: