Sgro v Australian Associated Motor Insurers Ltd [2015] NSWCA 262

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Sgro v Australian Associated Motor Insurers Ltd [2015] NSWCA 262 Hearing dates: 31 July 2015 Decision date: 02 September 2015 Before: Beazley P at [1]; Meagher JA at [67]; McDougall J at [78] Decision: Appeal dismissed with costs. Catchwords: INSURANCE – whether vehicle stolen – trial judge not satisfied on balance of probabilities that vehicle stolen

INSURANCE – Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth) s 56 – dishonest intent to induce false belief in insurer for purpose of obtaining benefit

INSURANCE – Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth), s 56 – specific finding of fraud required

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – pleadings – fraud to be clearly particularised – UCPR, r 14.14

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – where probabilities equal

PROCEDURAL FAIRNESS – allegation of fraud – party to be fairly confronted with allegation of fraud Legislation Cited: Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 140 Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth), s 56 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 14.14 Cases Cited: Anderson v AON Risk Services Australia Ltd [2004] QSC 49; 13 ANZ Insurance Cases ¶61-614 Banque Commerciale SA v Akhil Holdings Ltd [1990] HCA 11; 169 CLR 279 Briginshaw v Briginshaw [1938] HCA 34; 60 CLR 336 Compania Naviera Vascongada v British & Foreign Marine Insurance Co Ltd (The Gloria) (1936) 54 LIL Rep 35 Derry v Peek (1889) 14 App Cas 337 Fox v Percy [2003] HCA 22; 214 CLR 118 Ghazal v Government Insurance Office (NSW) (1992) 29 NSWLR 336 Hammoud Brothers Pty Ltd v Insurance Australia Ltd [2004] NSWCA 366; 13 ANZ Insurance Cases ¶161-639 Inzaurralde v Government Insurance Office of New South Wales (Court of Appeal, 28 October 1992, unreported) Minister Administering the Crown Lands Consolidation Act and Western Lands Act v Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council (1990) 71 LGRA 201 Palamisto General Enterprises v Ocean Marine Insurance Co Ltd (1972) 2 QB 625 Rejfek v McElroy [1965] HCA 46; 112 CLR 517 Simon v NRMA Insurance Ltd [1991] NSWCA 247 Somaghi v Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs (1991) 31 FCR 100; 102 ALR 339 To v Australian Associated Motor Insurers Ltd [2001] VSCA 48; 3 VR 279 Wallaby Grip Limited v QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited [2010] HCA 9; 240 CLR 444 Walton v The Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd [2004] NSWSC 616; 13 ANZ Insurance Cases ¶61-620 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Antonio Sgro (Appellant) Australian Associated Motor Insurers Ltd (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: J C Kelly SC; J Mendel (Appellant) B Burke (Respondent)