QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd v Miller [2013] NSWCA 442

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd v Miller [2013] NSWCA 442 Hearing dates: 3 December 2013 Decision date: 18 December 2013 Before: Basten JA at [1]; Ward JA at [58]; Young AJA at [59] Decision: (1) Leave to appeal granted. (2) Appeal dismissed with costs. [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: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - judicial review, application for further assessment of medical dispute refused - whether preconditions in Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), s 62 are jurisdictional facts - whether preconditions is the opinion of the proper officer, formed in accordance with law - identification of jurisdictional fact a question of statutory construction - whether opinion of the proper officer determined according to law

TORT - motor vehicle accident - determination of medical dispute - application for further assessment based on additional relevant information - application refused by proper officer of Motor Accidents Authority - whether decision should be set aside

WORDS & PHRASES - "additional relevant information" - "capable of having a material effect" - Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), s 62 Legislation Cited: Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), ss 57, 58, 60, 61, 62, 63, 65, 131; Pt 3.4 Motor Accidents Compensation Amendment (Claims and Dispute Resolution) Act 2007 (NSW), Sch 1 [30] Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 69 Cases Cited: Australian Heritage Commission v Mount Isa Mines Ltd [1997] HCA 10; 187 CLR 297 Buck v Bavone [1976] HCA 24; 135 CLR 110 City of Enfield v Development Assessment Commission [2000] HCA 5; 199 CLR 135 Craig v South Australia [1995] HCA 58; 184 CLR 163 D'Amore v Independent Commission Against Corruption [2013] NSWCA 187; 303 ALR 242 Masters v McCubbery [1996] 1 VR 635 Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Eshetu [1999] HCA 21; 197 CLR 611 Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs v SGLB [2004] HCA 32; 78 ALJR 992 Plaintiff M70/2011 v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [Malaysian Declaration Case] [2011] HCA 32; 244 CLR 144 The Queen v Collins; Ex parte ACTU-Solo Enterprises Pty Ltd (1976) 50 ALJR 471 The Queen v Connell; Ex parte Hetton Bellbird Collieries Ltd [1944] HCA 42; 69 CLR 407 R v Northumberland Compensation Appeal Tribunal; Ex parte Shaw [1952] 1 KB 338 Rodger v De Gelder [2011] NSWCA 97; 80 NSWLR 594 Timbarra Protection Coalition Inc v Ross Mining NL (1999) 46 NSWLR 55 Warehouse Group (Australia) Pty Ltd v Woolworths Ltd [2005] NSWCA 269; 141 LGERA 376 Woolworths Ltd v Pallas Newco Pty Ltd [2004] NSWCA 422; 61 NSWLR 707 Texts Cited: Aronson and Groves, Judicial Review of Administrative Action (5th ed, Law Book Co, 2013) at [4.560])