Birdsall v Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd [2014] NSWSC 632

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Birdsall v Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd [2014] NSWSC 632 Hearing dates: 5 - 6 May 2014 Decision date: 27 May 2014 Jurisdiction: Equity Division Before: Hallen J Decision: See Paragraphs 157 - 160 of these reasons for judgment. Stand over the proceedings for the making of final orders and orders as to costs. Catchwords: Superannuation - Insurance - Claim for benefits - Superannuation trustee holding insurance policy covering total and permanent disablement of scheme members including Plaintiff - Whether Plaintiff totally and permanently disabled within the meaning of the relevant superannuation trust deed and insurance policy - Duty on an insurer in determining a claim for a benefit - Duty on a trustee of a superannuation fund in determining a claim for a benefit - Whether Plaintiff unlikely ever to engage in or work for reward in any occupation or work which he is reasonably capable of performing by reason of education, training or experience - Review of decision made by each of Trustee and Insurer necessary - Same decision reached Legislation Cited: Insurance Contracts Regulations 1985 (Cth) Practice Note SC Gen 18 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Cases Cited: Chammas v Harwood Nominees Pty Ltd (1993) ANZ Ins Cas 61-175 Chapman v United Super Pty Ltd [2013] NSWSC 592 Dargan v United Super Pty Ltd [2011] NSWSC 1316 Davis v Rio Tinto Staff Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd [2002] FCA 376; (2002) 118 FCR 170 Edwards v Hunter Valley Co-op Dairy Co Ltd (1992) 7 ANZ Ins Cas 61-113 Erzurumlu v Kellogg Superannuation Pty Ltd [2013] NSWSC 1115 Finch v Telstra Super Pty Ltd [2010] HCA 36; (2010) 242 CLR 254 Folan v United Super Pty Ltd [2014] NSWSC 343 Giles v National Mutual Life Association of Australasia Ltd (1986) 4 ANZ Ins Cas 60-751 Halloran v Harwood Nominees Pty Ltd [2007] NSWSC 913 Hannover Life Re of Australasia Ltd v Dargan [2013] NSWCA 57; (2013) 83 NSWLR 246 Hannover Life Re of Australasia Ltd v Sayseng [2005] NSWCA 214; (2005) 13 ANZ Ins Cas 90-123 Ivkovic v Australian Casualty & Life Ltd (1994) 10 SR (WA) 325 Jeffrey Guy Baker v Local Government Superannuation Scheme Pty Ltd [2007] NSWSC 1173 Kenan Berk v Westpac Securities Administration Ltd [2010] NSWSC 28 Lazarevic v United Super Pty Ltd [2014] NSWSC 96 McArthur v Mercantile Mutual Life Insurance Co Ltd [2001] QCA 317; [2002] 2 Qd R 197 McCann v Switzerland Insurance Australia Ltd [2000] HCA 65; (2000) 203 CLR 579 Munios v Johnson and Johnson Retirement Benefits Ltd (Supreme Court (NSW), McLelland J, 5 December 1996, unrep) Nile v Club Plus Superannuation Pty Ltd [2005] NSWSC 55 Oberlechner v Watson Wyatt Superannuation Pty Ltd [2007] NSWSC 906; (2008) 15 ANZ Ins Cas 90-134 Sayseng v Kellogg Superannuation Pty Ltd [2003] NSWSC 945 Sayseng v Kellogg Superannuation Pty Ltd [2007] NSWSC 583 Vidovic v Email Superannuation Pty Ltd (Supreme Court (NSW), Bryson J, 3 March 1995, unrep) Weber v Tiss Pty Ltd [2005] NSWSC 67 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Robert Birdsall (Plaintiff) Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (first Defendant) MetLife Insurance Ltd (second Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr J Anderson (Plaintiff) Mr S J Walsh (Defendants) Solicitors: Stacks/Goudkamp (Plaintiff) TurksLegal (Defendants) File Number(s): 2013/180765