QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited v Alawia [2016] NSWSC 1875

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited v Alawia [2016] NSWSC 1875 Hearing dates: 26 October 2016 Decision date: 22 December 2016 Before: R A Hulme J Decision: 1. Extend time for the filing of initiating summons pursuant to UCPR r 59.10(2) to 15 March 2016. 2. Amended summons filed on 26 October 2016 dismissed. 3. The plaintiff is to pay the costs of the first defendant. Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – Motor Accidents Compensation Act - judicial review of medical assessment and application for review – whether pre-existing mental condition – whether failure to assess pre-existing impairment – whether compliance with Permanent Impairment Guidelines – adequacy of reasons – whether legal unreasonableness – no reviewable error established Legislation Cited: Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) Cases Cited: Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Cervantes [2012] NSWCA 244 Dranichnikov v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs [2003] HCA 26; (2003) 197 ALR 389 Mason v Demasi [2009] NSWCA 227 Meeuwissen v Boden [2010] NSWCA 253; 78 NSWLR 143 Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Ltd [1986] HCA 40; 162 CLR 24 Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Wu Shan Liang [1996] HCA 6; 185 CLR 259 Wingfoot Australia Partners Pty Ltd v Kocak [2013] HCA 43; 252 CLR 480 Category: Principal judgment Parties: QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited (Plaintiff) Nivine Alawia (First defendant) State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) (Second defendant) Assessor Michael C Prior in his capacity as a medical assessor of SIRA (Third defendant) Representation: Counsel: M Robinson SC with A Naylor (Plaintiff) E Romaniuk SC with T L Hickey (First defendant)