Walker v Howard [2009] NSWCA 408

Reported Decision: 55 MVR 9[2010] ALMD 6803[2010] ALMD 6804[2010] ALMD 680278 NSWLR 161

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Walker v Howard [2009] NSWCA 408

HEARING DATE(S): 15 September 2009

JUDGMENT DATE: 16 December 2009

JUDGMENT OF: Spigelman CJ at 1; Allsop P at 2; Campbell JA at 124; Macfarlan JA at 129; Young JA at 130

DECISION: Appeal dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS: LIMITATION PERIOD – Action – Motor accidents – failure to commence proceedings within three years of accident – requirement of leave – Motor Accident Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) s66(2) and s109(3)(a) –mentally incapacitated claimant - full and satisfactory explanation of delay – conduct relevant to explanation – whether conduct of agents and representatives of claimant to be considered - "reasonable person in the position of the claimant" – attributes of claimant to be considered in objective test – brain damage relevant - Motor Accident Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) – s 66(2) - s109(3)(a) - WORDS AND PHRASES – "full and satisfactory" – "position of the claimant"

Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) Guardianship Act 1987 (NSW) LEGISLATION CITED: Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) Motor Accidents Act 1988 (NSW) Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) Protected Estates Act 1983 (NSW)

CATEGORY: Principal judgment

Adams v Bracknell Forest Borough Council [2004] UKHL 29; [2005] 1 AC 76 Arabian v Tufnall and Taylor Ltd [1944] KB 685 Blackburn v Allianz Australian Insurance Ltd [2004] NSWCA 385; 61 NSWLR 632 Buller v Black [2003] NSWCA 45; 56 NSWLR 425 Department of Health and Community Services v JWB and SMB (Marion's Case) [1992] HCA 15; 175 CLR 218 Diaz v Truong [2002] NSWCA 265; 37 MVR 158 Ex parte Davis (1901) 1 SR (NSW) (L) 187 Figliuzzi v Yonan [2005] NSWCA 290 Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority [1986] AC 112 Guest v Southern (unreported 22 September 1995, Studdert J) Haines v Leves (1987) 8 NSWLR 442 Hamdi Baraghith (1991) 54 A Crim R 240 CASES CITED: Itek Graphix Pty Limited v Elliott [2001] NSWCA 442; 54 NSWLR 207 Laidlaw v Touma [2002] NSWCA 190; 36 MVR 388 Mancini v Thompson [2002] NSWCA 38 Manderson v Ellis [2002] NSWCA 289; 37 MVR 214 Moffa v The Queen [1977] HCA 14; 138 CLR 601 R v P [2001] NSWCA 473; (2001) 53 NSWLR 664 Russo v Aiello [2003] HCA 53; 215 CLR 643 Salido v Nominal Defendant (1993) 32 NSWLR 524 Smith v Grant [2006] NSWCA 244; 67 NSWLR 735 Stingel v The Queen [1990] HCA 65; 171 CLR 312 The Queen v Dutton (1979) 21 SASR 356 The Queen v McGregor [1962] NZLR 1069 The Queen v Webb (1977) 16 SASR 309 P00029/01 (NSWSC, Windeyer J, 6 August 2001, unreported)