Laminex (Australia) Pty Ltd (trading as Laminex Industries) & Anor v Coutts; Royal & Sunalliance Insurance Group PLC UK v Coutts; Government Insurance Office of New South Wales & Anor v Coutts; CSR Ltd v Coutts [2006] NSWCA 186

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Laminex (Australia) Pty Ltd (trading as Laminex Industries) & Anor v Coutts; Royal & Sunalliance Insurance Group PLC UK v Coutts; Government Insurance Office of New South Wales & Anor v Coutts; CSR Ltd v Coutts [2006] NSWCA 186

HEARING DATE(S): 7 July 2006

JUDGMENT DATE: 14 July 2006

JUDGMENT OF: Giles JA at 1; Hodgson JA at 61; Bryson JA at 67

DECISION: In each matter - (1) Grant leave to appeal and direct the filing of a notice of appeal within seven days; (2) Appeal dismissed; (3) Appellant(s) pay the costs of the application for leave to appeal and the appeal.

CATCHWORDS: Dust Diseases Tribunal - jurisdiction in proceedings for damages in respect of dust-related condition - relevantly meaning lung condition attributable to dust - plaintiff contracted nasal cancer from dust exposure - surgery brought consequential lung condition - whether lung condition attributable to dust - whether proceedings claiming damages were in respect of dust-related condition - lung condition attributable to dust - although cause of action for all consequences of dust exposure, jurisdiction by virtue of claim to damages in respect of lung condition.

Compensation to Relatives Act 1897; LEGISLATION CITED: Dust Diseases Tribunal Act 1989; Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1944.

Amaca Pty Ltd v Cremer [2006] NSWCA 164; Anderson v Kaufman (1991) 7 NSWCCR 198; Baxter v Abacelo Pty Ltd (2001) 205 CLR 635; BHP Billiton Ltd v Schultz (2004) 221 CLR 400; Goliath Portland Cement Co Ltd v Bengtell (1994) 33 NSWLR 414; Kirby v Sanderson Motors Pty Ltd (2001) 54 NSWLR 135; CASES CITED: Law v Repatriation Commission (1980) 29 ALR 64; Mahoney v J Kruschich (Demolitions) Pty Ltd (1985) 156 CLR 522; Mangion v James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd (1990) 20 NSWLR 100; R v Monopolies and Mergers Commission; ex parte National House Building Council (1994) TLR 38; Repatriation Commission v Law (1980) 47 FLR 57; Roncevich v Repatriation Commission (2005) 79 ALJR 1366; Wallaby Grip (BAE) Pty Ltd (in liq) v Eraring Energy (2004) 60 NSWLR 701; Walsh v Rother District Council (1987) 1 All ER 510.