FLETCHER INTERNATIONAL EXPORTS PTY LIMITED v BARROW & ANOR [2007] NSWCA 244

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: FLETCHER INTERNATIONAL EXPORTS PTY LIMITED v BARROW & ANOR [2007] NSWCA 244

HEARING DATE(S): 15 June 2007

JUDGMENT DATE: 13 September 2007

JUDGMENT OF: Mason P at 1; Santow JA at 119; Tobias JA at 120

DECISION: Appeal dismissed with costs

CATCHWORDS: WORKERS' COMPENSATION – Liability to pay compensation – liability of employer – other cases – liability of insurer – where employer became self-insured – where injury degenerative over time – whether injury a disease – Workers Compensation Act 1987, s 16 - ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – Judicial review – grounds of review – procedural fairness – determining matter on the papers – whether Commission required to notify parties of decision to determine matter on the papers – having regard to material beyond the record of Arbitration – Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998, s 354(6) - ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – Judicial review – grounds of review – jurisdictional matters – whether Arbitrator acted outside jurisdiction in determining claim – where claim for compensation non-compliant with WorkCover Guidelines – whether proceedings a nullity – Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998, s 260 – WorkCover Guidelines - ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – Judicial review – procedure and evidence – evidence – whether no evidence to support findings of fact

LEGISLATION CITED: Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 Workers Compensation Act 1987

Aluminium Louvres & Ceilings Pty Ltd v Xue Qin Zheng [2006] NSWCA 34 Armao v Ladue Holdings Pty Ltd (1992) 8 NSWCCR 440 Berowra Holdings Pty Ltd v Gordon (2006) 225 CLR 364 CASES CITED: Cottons Glass & Aluminium Pty Ltd v Handsaker [2006] NSWCCPD 205 Fletcher International Exports Pty Ltd v Barrow [2006] NSWWCCPD 119 Kurrajong Holdings t/as The Gardeners Inn v Carrette [2004] NSWWCCPD 8 Perry v Tanine Pty Ltd t/as Ermington Hotel (1998) 16 NSWCCR 253 Watson v Hanimex Colour Services Pty Ltd (1991) 8 NSWCCR 190