Bestcare Foods v Origin Energy; Origin Energy v Bestcare Foods [2007] NSWSC 354

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Bestcare Foods v Origin Energy; Origin Energy v Bestcare Foods [2007] NSWSC 354 This decision has been amended. Please see the end of the judgment for a list of the amendments.

HEARING DATE(S) : 12th April 2007

JUDGMENT DATE : 19 April 2007

JUDGMENT OF : Hammerschlag J

DECISION : Regulation valid

CATCHWORDS : ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – Validity of regulation excluding Pt 4 of the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) (the Act) from operation with respect to civil liability arising before 26 July 2004 – Extent of regulation making power – Construction of statute – Whether regulation ultra vires and invalid because inconsistent with the Act – Meaning of class or classes of civil liability – Whether apportionable claims falling within Pt 4 of the Act delineated by a period of time constitute a "class or classes" of civil liability

Civil Liability Amendment (Proportionate Liability) Regulation 2004 (NSW) LEGISLATION CITED : Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) Civil Liability Regulation 2003 (NSW) Civil Liability Amendment (Personal Responsibility) Act 2002 (NSW)

Vwok v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs [2005] FCA 336 Ira, L & AC Berk Ltd v The Commonwealth of Australia (1930) 30 SR (NSW) 119 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 Institute of Patent Agents v Lockwood [1894] AC 347 Prior v Sherwood (1906) 3 CLR 1054 CASES CITED : Pearks v Moseley (1880) 5 App Cas 714 ASX Operations Pty Ltd v Pont Data Australia Pty Ltd (No1) (1990) 27 FCR 460 The King v Regos & Morgan (1947) 74 CLR 613 Canwan Coals Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [1974] 1 NSWLR 728 State of New South Wales v Law [1992] 45 IR 62 Combined State Unions v State Service Co-ordinating Committee [1982] 1 NZLR 742 (CA)