Hevi Lift (PNG) Ltd v Etherington [2005] NSWCA 42

New South Wales Court of Appeal

Hevi Lift (PNG) Ltd v Etherington [2005] NSWCA 42 CITATION: This decision has been amended. Please see the end of the judgment for a list of the amendments.

HEARING DATE(S): 19 July 2004

JUDGMENT DATE: 4 March 2005

JUDGMENT OF: Mason P at 1; Beazley JA at 2; McColl JA at 3

DECISION: 1. Appeal allowed. 2. Award set aside. 3. Order that the matter be remitted to the District Court for re-determination in accordance with law. 4. Respondent to pay appellant's costs of the appeal and have a certificate under the Suitors' Fund Act 1951 (NSW) if otherwise eligible.

CATCHWORDS: WORKERS COMPENSATION - employment - substantial contributing factor - recess claim - test to be applied - JUDICIAL OFFICERS - obligation to give adequate reasons - EXPERT EVIDENCE. (D)

Compensation Court Act 1984 (NSW) Compensation Act 1998 (NSW) Compensation Court Repeal Act 2002 (NSW) LEGISLATION CITED: Compensation Court Repeal (Transitional) Regulation 2003 (NSW) Suitors' Fund Act 1951 (NSW) Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW)

Adelaide Stevedoring Co Ltd v Forst [1940] HCA 45; (1940) 64 CLR 538 Ambulance Service of New South Wales v Daniel [2000] NSWCA 116; (2000) 19 NSWCCR 697. Australian Iron and Steel Ltd v Connell [1959] HCA 54; (1959) 102 CLR 522 Azzopardi v Tasman UEB Industries Limited (1985) 4 NSWLR 139 Beale v Government Insurance Office of New South Wales (1997) 48 NSWLR 430 Brown v Iontask Pty Ltd (2002) 24 NSWCCR 231 Commonwealth v McLean (1996) 41 NSWLR 389 Davie v The Lord Provost, Magistrates and Councillors of the City of Edinburgh (1953) SC 34 Dyktynski v BHP Titanium Minerals Pty Ltd [2004] NSWCA 154; (2004) 60 NSWLR 203 Favelle Mort Ltd v Murray [1976] HCA 13; (1976) 133 CLR 580 Hatzimanolis v ANI Corporation Limited [1992] HCA 21; (1992) 173 CLR 473 ICI Australia Operations Pty Limited v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales [2004] NSWCA 55; (2004) 60 NSWLR 18 Kooragang Cement Pty Ltd v Bates (1994) 35 NSWLR 452 Landers v Dawson [1964] HCA 35; (1964) 110 CLR 644 Makita (Australia) Pty Limited v Sprowles [2001] NSWCA 305; (2001) 52 NSWLR 705 McDonald t/as BE McDonald Transport v Girkaid Pty Ltd [2004] NSWCA 297 CASES CITED: Mercer v Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd [2000] NSWCA 138; (2000) 48 NSWLR 740 Miller v Commissioner of Police NSW [2004] NSWCA 356. Minister Administering the Crown Lands Act v Deerubbin LALC (1998) 43 NSWLR 249 MMI Workers Compensation (NSW) v Kennedy (1993) 9 NSWCCR 482 Perry v R (1990) 49 A Crim R 243 Pioneer Construction Material Pty Ltd v Millsom [2002] NSWCA 258 Public Trustee v AM Hoipo Pty Ltd [1999] NSWCA 466; (1999) 19 NSWCCR 215 R v Hally [1962] Qd R 214 R v Jenkins; Ex parte Morrison (No 2) [1949] VLR 277 Soulemezis v Dudley (Holdings) Pty Limited (1987) 10 NSWLR 247 Steffen v Ruban [1966] 2 NSWR 622 Terrace Towers Holdings Pty Limited v Sutherland Shire Council [2003] NSWCA 289; (2003) 129 LGERA 195 Tooth & Co Ltd t/as Mona Vale Hotel v Injac (1994) 10 NSWCCR 437 Tubemakers of Australia Ltd v Fernandez (1976) 50 ALJR 720 Wiki v Atlantis Relocations (NSW) Pty Limited [2004] NSWCA 174; (2004) 60 NSWLR 127 Yates Property Corp Pty Limited (in liq) v Darling Harbour Authority (1991) 24 NSWLR 156