Richardson bht Richardson v QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd [2020] NSWSC 366

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Richardson bht Richardson v QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd [2020] NSWSC 366 Hearing dates: 4 March 2020 Date of orders: 07 April 2020 Decision date: 07 April 2020 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Wright J Decision: (1) The certificate issued in relation to the plaintiff by the third defendant on 5 September 2019 is set aside.

(2) The plaintiff's application for review dated 17 April 2019 is remitted to the second defendant to be referred to a panel of at least three medical assessors in accordance with s 63 of the Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) for determination in accordance with law.

(3) The first defendant is to pay the plaintiff's costs as agreed or assessed. Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – Judicial review – Error of law on the face of the record – Failure to give adequate reasons for decision – Assessment of whole person impairment under Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) – Reasons Inadequate – Certificate set aside Legislation Cited: Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Cases Cited: Ali v AAI Limited [2016] NSWCA 110; (2016) 75 MVR 502 Boyce v Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd (2018) 96 NSWLR 356; [2018] NSWCA 22 Brimelow v Sharpe [2012] NSWCA 345 Campbelltown City Council v Vegan (2006) 67 NSWLR 372; [2006] NSWCA 284; (2006) 235 ALR 342 Dranichnikov v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs [2003] HCA 26; (2003) 77 ALJR 1088; (2003) 197 ALR 389 AAI Ltd trading as GIO as agent for the Nominal Defendant v McGiffen [2016] NSWCA 229; (2016) 77 MVR 348 Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Wu Shan Liang (1996) 185 CLR 259; [1996] HCA 6 Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs v Yusuf (2001) 206 CLR 323; [2001] HCA 30 Raibevu v Minister for Home Affairs [2020] FCAFC 35 Rodger v De Gelder [2015] NSWCA 211; (2015) 71 MVR 514 Wingfoot Australia Partners Pty Ltd v Kocak (2003) 252 CLR 480; [2013] HCA 43 Texts Cited: American Medical Association's Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (Fourth Edition) Motor Accidents Medical Assessment Guidelines (effective from 1 October 2008) Motor Accident Permanent Impairment Guidelines (effective from 1 Jun 2018) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Montana Ruby Richardson bht Wendy Richardson (Plaintiff) QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd (First Defendant) State Insurance Regulatory Authority (Second Defendant) The Medical Assessors Review Panel of the State Insurance Regulatory Authority comprising Medical Assessors Allan Meares, John Giles and Michael McGlynn (Third Defendant) Representation: Counsel: L King SC and P O'Connor (Plaintiff) J Gumbert (First Defendant)