Gallagher Bassett Services NSW Pty Limited v Murdock [2013] NSWCA 386

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Gallagher Bassett Services NSW Pty Limited v Murdock [2013] NSWCA 386 Hearing dates: 25 October 2013 Decision date: 20 November 2013 Before: Barrett JA at [1]; Gleeson JA at [81]; Leeming JA at [82] Decision: 1. Grant leave to appeal. 2. Direct that a notice of appeal in the form of the draft in the white folder be filed within seven days. 3. Dismiss the appeal. 4. Order that the appellant pay the respondent's costs of the proceedings in this Court. [Note: The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 provide (Rule 36.11) that unless the Court otherwise orders, a judgment or order is taken to be entered when it is recorded in the Court's computerised court record system. Setting aside and variation of judgments or orders is dealt with by Rules 36.15, 36.16, 36.17 and 36.18. Parties should in particular note the time limit of fourteen days in Rule 36.16.] Catchwords: WORKERS COMPENSATION - worker in receipt of weekly compensation obtains extension of limitation period to sue alleged third part tortfeasors - proposed action in negligence against employer also - such action time barred - effect of order removing time bar - WORKERS COMPENSATION - right of employer to indemnity or contribution from third party - time for instituting action for indemnity or contribution - LIMITATION OF ACTIONS - whether dispensation from time bar will be productive of prejudice - whether potential defendant's ability to claim indemnity or contribution will be adversely affected - LIMITATION OF ACTIONS - where statute provides that action may not be maintained after certain period "except with the leave of the court" - effect of the grant of such leave - whether there is then any "limitation period fixed by or under this Act or by or under any other enactment . . . for the cause of action". Legislation Cited: Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ss 601AD(1)), 601AG, Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1946, s 5 Limitation Act 1969, ss 14(1)(d), 18A, 26, 60C Limitation of Actions Act 1974 (Qld), s 40 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 Workers Compensation Act 1987, Division 1A of Part 7, Division 3 of Part 5, ss 4, 9(1), 33, 151A, 151D, 151G, 151Z,155, 159, Cases Cited: Abdulle v QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd [2010] NSWCA 60 Almario v Allianz Australia Workers Compensation (NSW) Insurance Ltd [2005] NSWCA 19; (2005) 62 NSWLR 148 Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor [1996] HCA 25; (1996) 186 CLR 541 Creevey v Barrois [2005] NSWCA 264 CSR Timber Products Pty Ltd v Weathertex Pty Ltd [2013] NSWCA 49; (2013) 83 NSWLR 433 GIO General Ltd v Love [2009] NSWCA 269 Gordon v NSW Insurance Ministerial Corporation [2006] NSWSC 350 Holt v Wynter [2000] NSWCA 143; (2000) 49 NSWLR 128 House v The King [1936] HCA 40; (1936) 55 CLR 499 Mulpha Hotel Pty Ltd v Goff [2011] QCA 204; [2012] 1 Qd R 226 Murdock v Lipman Pty Ltd [2012] NSWSC 983 Murdock v Lipman Pty Ltd (No 2) [2013] NSWSC 11 Re Austral Family Homes Pty Ltd (1992) 28 NSWLR 247 Re Higginson & Dean; Ex parte Attorney-General [1899] 1 QB 325 Re Silverline Technologies Pty Ltd [2005] NSWSC 620; (2005) 192 FLR 261 Robins v Downes (1996) 24 MVR 180 Russian & English Bank v Baring Bros & Co Ltd [1936] AC 405 Smith v Commonwealth Oil Refineries Ltd [1938] HCA 33; (1938) 60 CLR 141 South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service v Gadiry [2002] NSWCA 161; (2002) 54 NSWLR 495 Taouk v Taouk [2010] NSWCA 372 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Gallagher Bassett Services NSW Pty Limited (Applicant) Harold Murdock (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: M J Cranitch SC/S L Flett (Applicant) J E Sexton SC/D S Stanton (Respondent) Solicitors: Sparke Helmore Lawyers (Applicant) Slater & Gordon Limited (Respondent) File Number(s): 2013/54376 Decision under appeal Citation: Murdock v Lipman Pty Ltd (No 2) [2013] NSWSC 11 Date of Decision: 2013-01-25 00:00:00 Before: McCallum J File Number(s): 2010/143429