Smallwood v Broome [2019] NSWDC 393

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Smallwood v Broome [2019] NSWDC 393 Hearing dates: 12 July 2019 Date of orders: 09 August 2019 Decision date: 09 August 2019 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Judge Levy SC Decision: 1. Pursuant to s 109(1) of the MAC Act, the plaintiff is granted leave to institute and maintain these already commenced proceedings claiming damages as compensation for the injuries she sustained in a motor vehicle accident on 21 October 2011;

2. The defendant is to pay the plaintiff's costs of the plaintiff's notice of motion filed on 29 April 2019 on the ordinary basis unless otherwise ordered;

3. The exhibits may be returned;

4. Liberty to apply on 7 days' notice if further or other orders are required. Catchwords: LIMITATION OF ACTIONS – negligence – motor vehicle accident – claim for damages for alleged negligence – whether delay in commencing proceedings has been explained fully and satisfactorily and whether damages threshold stipulated by s 109(3)(b) of the Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) has been met Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), s 56 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), s 66, s 81, s 92, s 109 Cases Cited: Aon Risk Services Australia Limited v Australian National University (2009) 239 CLR 175; [2009] HCA 27 Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor (1996) 186 CLR 541; [1996] HCA 25 Dijakovic v Perez [2015] NSWCA 174 Karambelas v Zakvic (No 2) [2014] NSWCA 433 Nowlan v Marsland Transport Pty Ltd (2001) NSWLR 116; [2001] NSWCA 346 Ren v Jiang [2014] NSWCA 1 Sinclair v Darwich [2010] NSWCA 195 Smith v Grant [2006] NSWCA 244 White v Overland [2001] FCA 1333 Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Harriet Smallwood (Plaintiff/Applicant) David Broome (Defendant/Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr W Fitzsimmons (Plaintiff) Mr B Wilson (Defendant)