COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA v SHAW [2006] NSWCA 209

Reported Decision : 66 NSWLR 325 (2006) Aust Torts Reports 81-855

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA v SHAW [2006] NSWCA 209

HEARING DATE(S): 22 June 2006

JUDGMENT DATE: 1 August 2006

JUDGMENT OF: Handley JA at 1; Ipp JA at 2; Basten JA at 3

DECISION: (1) Appeal allowed; (2) Order of Howie J made on 14 October 2005 extending the limitation period to the date upon which the statement of claim was filed set aside; (3) In lieu of the orders made below, order that; (a) the application to extend time be dismissed; (b) the proceedings commenced on 4 October 2002 be dismissed; (c) the applicant/plaintiff pay the costs of the Commonwealth in the Court below; (4) The Respondent pay the Commonwealth's costs of the appeal; (5) Grant the Respondent a certificate under the Suitors' Fund Act 1951 (NSW) in relation to the costs of the appeal

CATCHWORDS: LIMITATION OF ACTIONS – personal injury tort – psychological injuries arising from collision between HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Voyager in 1964 – whether applicant knew he suffered a personal injury – whether he was unaware of the connection between the personal injury and defendant's act or omission – when he ought to have become aware – whether just and reasonable to extend time – Limitation Act 1969 (NSW), ss60I(1)(a) and (b) and 60G

Dust Diseases Tribunal Act 1989 (NSW), s11 Limitation Act 1969 (NSW), ss 57B, 58, 60C, 60E, 60F, 60G, 60I LEGISLATION CITED: Limitation Act 1980 (UK), s 14 Limitation of Actions Act 1958 (Vic), s 3 Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (Cth), ss 68, 70

Anderson v Kaufman (1991) 7 NSWCCR 198 Barker v Wingo 407 US 514 (1972) Blunden v The Commonwealth (2003) 218 CLR 330 Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor (1996) 186 CLR 541 Burk v Commonwealth of Australia [2004] VSC 210 Central Asbestos Co Ltd v Dodd (1973) AC 518 Collector of Customs v Cliffs Robe River Iron Associates (1985) 7 FCR 271 Commissioner for Superannuation v Miller (1985) 8 FCR 153 Commonwealth of Australia v Smith [2005] NSWCA 478 CRA Ltd v Martignago (1996) 39 NSWLR 13 Dedousis v The Water Board (1994) 181 CLR 171 Drayton Coal Pty Ltd v Drain (22 August 1995, unrep, NSWCA) CASES CITED: Harris v Commercial Minerals Ltd (1996) 186 CLR 1 Holt v Wynter (2000) 49 NSWLR 128 Laminex (Australia) Pty Ltd v Coutts [2006] NSWCA 186 March v Stramare (E & MH) Pty Ltd (1991) 171 CLR 506 Purkess v Crittenden (1965) 114 CLR 164 Roncevich v Repatriation Commission (2005) 79 ALJR 1366 Shaw v Commonwealth of Australia [2005] NSWSC 1027 Stingel v Clark [2006] HCA 37 Sydney City Council v Zegarac (1998) 43 NSWLR 195 Taciak v Australian Federal Police (1995) 131 ALR 319 Telstra Corporation Ltd v Rea [2002] NSWCA 49 Tsiadis v Patterson (2001) 4 VR 114 Watts v Rake (1960) 108 CLR 158