QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd v Mordue [2015] NSWCA 380

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd v Mordue [2015] NSWCA 380 Hearing dates: 21 October 2015 Decision date: 02 December 2015 Before: Beazley P and Ward JA at [1]; Simpson JA at [59] Decision: 1. Appeal allowed;

2. Set aside the orders of Adams J made 20 February 2015;

3. Order the first respondent to pay the appellant's costs of the appeal and in the court below;

4. Order that the first respondent is to have a certificate under the Suitors' Fund Act 1951 (NSW) if otherwise eligible. Catchwords: INSURANCE – third party vehicle insurance – scheme for assessment of claims under the Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 – initial admission of liability pursuant to s 81 – whether admission binding for all purposes – whether exemption from assessment pursuant to s 92(1)(a) available – whether exemptions relating to fraud distinguishable

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – judicial review of decision to exempt claim from statutory assessment process Legislation Cited: Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW), s 40, s 41 Motor Accidents Claims Assessment Guidelines Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), s 69, s 72, s 77, s 78, s 81, s 82, s 92 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1997 (NSW) Cases Cited: CIC Allianz Insurance Ltd v Erturk [2010] NSWSC 302; 55 MVR 224 Morton v Union Steamship Co of New Zealand Ltd [1951] HCA 42; 83 CLR 402 Smalley v Motor Accidents Authority of New South Wales [2013] NSWCA 318; 85 NSWLR 580 The Nominal Defendant v Gabriel [2007] NSWCA 52; 71 NSWLR 150 Texts Cited: Pearce, D C and Argument, S, Delegated Legislation in Australia, (4th ed, 2012, LexisNexis), at 19.9-19.18 Pearce, D C and Geddes, R S, Statutory Interpretation in Australia, (8th ed, 2014, LexisNexis), 3.42 Category: Principal judgment Parties: QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd (Appellant) Aaron Mordue (First Respondent) Belinda Cassidy (In her capacity as Principal Claims Assessor of the State Insurance Regulatory Authority) (Second Respondent) State Insurance Regulatory Authority (Third Respondent) Representation: Counsel: B Walker SC; K P Rewell SC (Appellant) M A Robinson SC; J Gumbert (First Respondent)