Not all errors of law by administrative bodies under the Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) necessarily constitute jurisdictional errors rendering assessments void. The consequences of any jurisdictional error depend on the terms of the relevant statute, and courts exercising supervisory jurisdiction retain a discretion to allow decisions of specialist bodies administering statutory schemes to stand where infected by minor error. The legislative scheme of the MAC Act, designed for quick and cheap resolution with prompt payment, is a significant factor weighing against treating minor errors as vitiating the entire assessment.
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