Scott v Insurance Australia Limited [2015] NSWSC 1249

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Scott v Insurance Australia Limited [2015] NSWSC 1249 Hearing dates: 5 June 2015 Date of orders: 01 September 2015 Decision date: 01 September 2015 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Campbell J Decision: Under Rule 59.10 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, the time for commencing these proceedings is extended to 20th November 2014; Amend the record so the only defendants are, and are described as, Insurance Australia Limited T/as NRMA Insurance as first defendant; and the Motor Accidents Medical Assessment Service as second defendant; The legal effect of the assessment certificates given under s 61 Motor Accidents Compensation Act in MAS matter number 2013/01/1756 dated 27th August 2013; 2nd September 2013; and 21st November 2013 are quashed by an order in the nature of certiorari; Prohibit the Motor Accidents Medical Assessment Service from taking any further steps in MAS matter no. 2013/01/1756; The first defendant to pay the plaintiff's costs of and incidental to the proceedings on the ordinary basis forthwith after they have been agreed or assessed. Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – judicial review – motor accident – referral of medical dispute – whether attendant care services was treatment provided under s 58 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) – jurisdiction of Medical Assessment Service

STATUTORY INTERPRETATION – s 58(1)(a) and (b) Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) – "treatment" – application of Kelly v the Queen

WORDS & PHRASES – "treatment" – "attendant care services" Legislation Cited: Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW); Motor Accidents Act 1988 (NSW); Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW); Motor Accident Compensation Amendment (Medical Assessments) Act 2000 (NSW); Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW); Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW); Transport Accidents Compensation Act 1987 (NSW) Cases Cited: Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Girgis [2011] NSWSC 1424; 59 MVR 548; Australian Education Union v Department of Education and Children's Service [2012] HCA 3; 248 CLR 1; Berowra Holdings Pty Ltd v Gordon [2006] HCA 32, 225 CLR 364; Campbelltown City Council v Vegan [2006] NSWCA 284; 67 NSWLR 372; Carr v Western Australia [2007] HCA 47; 232 CLR 138; Craig v State of South Australia [1995] HCA 58; 184 CLR 163; CSR Limited v Eddy [2005] HCA 64; 226 CLR 1; Deputy Commissioner of Taxation v Dick [2007] NSWCA 190; 226 FLR 388; Donnelly v Joyce [1974] Q.B. 454; Gedeon v NSW Crime Commission [2008] HCA 43; 236 CLR 120; Grljak v Trivan Pty Ltd (In liq) (1994) 35 NSWLR 82; Griffiths v Kerkemeyer [1977] HCA 45; 139 CLR 161; Harrison v Melhem [2008] NSWCA 67; 72 NSWLR 380. Hot Holdings Pty Ltd v Creasy [1996] HCA 44; 185 CLR 149; Insurance Australia Group Ltd t/as NRMA Insurance Ltd v Motor Accidents Authority of NSW [2013] NSWSC 318; 63 MVR 203; Kars v Kars [1996] HCA 37; 187 CLR 354; Kirk v Industrial Court of New South Wales [2010] HCA 1; 239 CLR 531; Kelly v the Queen [2004] HCA 12; 218 CLR 216; Murdoch v Davis [2005] NSWCA 466; 44 MVR 415; National Insurance Co of New Zealand Ltd v Espagne [1961] HCA 15; 105 CLR 569; Zheng v Cai [2009] HCA 52; 239 CLR 446; Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority [1998] HCA 28; 194 CLR 355; Public Service Board of New South Wales v Osmond [1986] HCA 7; 159 CLR 656; Roads & Traffic Authority v Royal [2008] HCA 19; 82 ALJR 870; Royal v Smurthwaite [2007] NSWCA 76; 47 MVR 401; Rodger v De Gelder & Anor [2011] NSWCA 97; 80 NSWLR 594; Ryder v Sundance Bakehouse [2015] NSWSC 526; Stubbs v NRMA Insurance Limited (1997) 42 NSWLR 550; Timbarra Protection Coalition Inc v Ross Mining NL [1999] NSWCA 8; 46 NSWLR 55; Van Gervan v Fenton [1992] HCA 54; 175 CLR 327; Wingfoot Australia Partners Pty Ltd v Kocak [2013] HCA 43; 252 CLR 480 Texts Cited: D.C. Pearce and R.S. Geddes Statutory Interpretation in Australia (75th ed, 2011, LexisNexis Butterworths); Harold Luntz, Assessment of Damages for Personal Injury and Death (4th Ed, 2002, Butterworths); New South Wales Legislative Council, Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) 4th December 2007 at 4914 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Sonia Louise Scott (Plaintiff) Insurance Australia Limited (First Defendant) Representation: Counsel: M. Daley (Plaintiff) M.A. Robinson SC with J Gumbert (First Defendant)