McLennan v Nominal Defendant [2014] NSWCA 332

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: McLennan v Nominal Defendant [2014] NSWCA 332 Hearing dates: 23 June 2014 Decision date: 25 September 2014 Before: Basten JA at [1]; Emmett JA at [33]; Simpson J at [127] Decision: 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: TORTS - negligence - claim against Nominal Defendant - whether the appellant was injured in a motor vehicle accident - whether, if so, the appellant's injuries were the result of the driver's negligence - whether the appellant had undertaken "due inquiry and search" for the purposes of s 34 of the Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) in order to ascertain the identity of the motor vehicle Legislation Cited: Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), s 34 Cases Cited: Guest v The Nominal Defendant [2006] NSWCA 77 Harrison v Nominal Defendant (1975) 50 ALJR 330 Holloway v McFeeters [1956] HCA 25; 94 CLR 470 Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA 8; 101 CLR 298 Nominal Defendant v McLennan [2012] NSWCA 148 Nominal Defendant v Meakes [2012] NSWCA 66 Nominal Defendant v Puglisi (1984) 54 ALR 636 Nominal Defendant v Ross [2014] NSWCA 212 Oztan v NSW Insurance Ministerial Corporation (1995) 23 MVR 259 Rhesa Shipping Co SA v Edmunds ("The Popi M") [1985] 1 WLR 948 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Terrence McLennan (Appellant) Nominal Defendant (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: M Daley (Appellant) J Poulos QC with J Ryan (Respondent) Solicitors: Brydens Compensation Lawyers (Appellant) Moray & Agnew (Respondent) File Number(s): 2013/168169 Decision under appeal Jurisdiction: 9101 Date of Decision: 2013-05-17 00:00:00 Before: Garling ADCJ File Number(s): 2004/193754