Morrison-Gardiner v Car Choice P/L & Anor ; Crain v Crocker & Anor ; O’Dare v Vitanza & Ors

[2004] QCA 480

Queensland Court of Appeal

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Interrogate

Catchwords

1. Limitation of Actions
2. › Postponement of the bar
3. › Extension of period
4. › Power of court to extend time
5. › Motor vehicle accident claims
6. › Whether s 57(2)(b) confers general discretion to extend limitation period
7. › Whether power limited to non-compliance with notice requirements or extends to non-compliance with compulsory conference requirements
8. › Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 (Qld), ss 37, 39(5), 51A, 57
1. Limitation of Actions
2. › Postponement of the bar
3. › Extension of period
4. › Application after expiry of limitation period
5. › Whether court may exercise power to extend time after limitation period has expired
6. › Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 (Qld), s 57(2)(b)
1. Statutes
2. › Construction
3. › Motor vehicle accident insurance legislation
4. › Interaction between pre-litigation procedural requirements and limitation periods
5. › Whether amendment to s 39(5)(c) removed court's power to grant leave to commence proceedings
6. › Whether s 51A(1) prohibition subject to implied qualification
7. › Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 (Qld), ss 39(5)(c), 41(3)(b), 51A, 57

Quick Take

Section 57(2)(b) of the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 (Qld) confers a general discretion on the court to extend the limitation period for motor vehicle accident claims, provided notice was given under Division 3 before the limitation period expired. The power is not limited to cases where non-compliance with Division 3 alone prevented timely commencement of proceedings; it extends to cases where the claimant failed to comply with Division 5A compulsory conference requirements. The power may be exercised after the limitation period has expired. The amended s 39(5)(c)(ii) continues to empower the court to authorise the commencement of curial proceedings for damages.