Wayne Sauer v Allianz Australia Insurance Limited [2006] NSWCA 364

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Wayne Sauer v Allianz Australia Insurance Limited [2006] NSWCA 364

HEARING DATE(S): 22 September 2006

JUDGMENT DATE: 15 December 2006

JUDGMENT OF: Beazley JA at 1; Santow JA at 43; Bryson JA at 44

DECISION: 1. Appeal allowed; 2. Set aside the Orders of Geraghty DCJ made 12 August 2005; 3. Extend the time in which the appellant may commence proceedings up until and including 16 February 2006; 4. Order the respondent to pay the appellant's costs of the appeal and of the court below but to have a certificate under the Suitors' Fund Act 1951 (NSW) if eligible.

CATCHWORDS: LIMITATION PERIOD – expired limitation period – leave of court required to commence proceedings – whether delay gave rise to significant prejudice to the potential defendant - MOTOR ACCIDENT – time limitation in which to commence proceedings under Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) – applicant sought extension of time limitation – where prejudice arose from death of insured and absence of their evidence – whether delay gave rise to significant prejudice to the potential defendant

Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) Pt 4.4, ss 92(1)(a), 94, 108, 109, 113 LEGISLATION CITED: Motor Accidents Act 1988 (NSW) s 52(4) Limitation of Actions Act 1974 (Qld) s 31(2)

Salido v The Nominal Defendant (1993) 32 NSWLR 524 CASES CITED: Holt v Wynter (2000) 49 NSWLR 128; [2000] NSWCA 143 Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor (1996) 186 CLR 541 Smith v Morton [2004] NSWCA 84

PARTIES: Wayne Sauer (Appellant) Allianz Australia Insurance Limited (Respondent)

FILE NUMBER(S): CA 40734/05