Pearson v Nepean Blue Mountains Heal District

Supreme Court of NSW|2020-08-05

Judgment

HER HONOUR: This judgment concerns a review of a registrar's decision not to transfer proceedings from the District Court to this Court.
By notice of motion filed 15 May 2020, the plaintiffs seek firstly, an order pursuant to rr 49.19 and 49.20 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) ("UCPR") that the decision of Registrar Jones ("the Registrar") dated 20 April 2020 be reviewed; and secondly, that the decision be set aside, varied or discharged and in lieu thereof that the Court order that proceedings 2018/164495, 2018/164504 and 2018/164490 be transferred from the District Court to the Supreme Court pursuant to s 140 of the Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW).
The first and second plaintiffs are Robert and Elizabeth Pearson. The first defendant is the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District ("Nepean"). The second defendant is the Western Sydney Local Health District ("Western Sydney"). The third and fourth defendants are Drs Ronald Chin and Peter Flynn. The parties relied upon a joint court book.

Review of the Registrar's decision

The power of the Court to review the Registrar's decision is contained in UCPR 49.19. It reads: "49.19 Review of registrar's directions, certificates, orders, decisions and other acts (1) Subject to subrule (2), if in any proceedings a Registrar gives a direction or certificate, makes an order or decision or does any other act, the court may, on application by any party, review the direction, certificate, order, decision or other act and make such order, by way of confirmation, variation, discharge or otherwise, as the court thinks fit. …"
A review pursuant to UCPR 49.19 is not an appeal and is not subject to the restrictions that apply to appeals. It is a hearing de novo: see Tomko v Palasty (No 2) [2007] NSWCA 369 ("Tomko"). It is not incumbent upon the applicant for review to demonstrate a material error of either fact or principle in the Registrar's judgment under review: Solarus Projects Pty Ltd v Vero Insurance Ltd [2013] NSWSC 328 at 34-40. Rather, the applicant must show that there is a reason to depart from the Registrar's decision: Tomko at [7]. The Court on review is to make its own decision, having regard to the material that was before the Registrar and such further evidence as the Court permits to be adduced: Portal Software International Pty Ltd v Bodsworth [2005] NSWSC 115.
As such, in conducting this review I am to inform myself of all material that was before the Registrar in addition to her decision, and make my own decision based on the material before me after having the benefit of counsel's submissions. The parties did not seek to rely upon any additional evidence.

Issues before the Registrar

The plaintiffs sought to transfer these proceedings from the District Court to this Court on several bases. It is their position that the case involves complex medical and legal issues relating to the recoverability of services under the Compensation to Relatives Act, in addition to reputational considerations of the medical practitioners involved. The plaintiffs are of the view that the nervous shock claims should be heard together with the compensation to relatives claim, and that they are substantial, regardless of whether they will exceed $750,000 in quantum. They submitted these reasons are sufficient to transfer the proceedings to this Court.

Transfer

Pursuant to s 140 of the Civil Procedure Act, the Supreme Court has the power to order the transfer of proceedings commenced in the District Court to the Supreme Court.
Section 140 of the Civil Procedure Act reads: "140 Transfer of proceedings to Higher Court (cf Act No 9 1973, section 145; Act No 11 1970, section 21B) (1) The Supreme Court may, of its own motion or on application by a party to proceedings before the District Court or the Local Court, order that the proceedings, including any cross-claim in the proceedings, be transferred to the Supreme Court. … (3) Proceedings in the District Court on a claim for damages arising from personal injury or death are not to be transferred to the Supreme Court under this section unless the Supreme Court is satisfied - … (b) in any other case- (i) that the amount to be awarded to the plaintiff, if successful, is likely to exceed the jurisdictional limit of the District Court, or (ii) that there is other sufficient reason for hearing the proceedings in the Supreme Court. (4) Proceedings in the Local Court are not to be transferred to a higher court under this section unless the higher court is satisfied that there is sufficient reason for hearing the proceedings in the higher court. …"
The jurisdictional limit of the District Court in these types of proceedings is $750,000.
The approach to the likely assessment of damages for the purposes of s 140 is set out in a number of decisions, including Dodd v Wentworth Community Housing Limited [2017] NSWSC 1424 ("Dodd"), Scott Anthony Highland v Yarrahapinni Holdings Community House Inc [2020] NSWSC 12 ("Highland") and Tauri v Janlin Circuses Pty Ltd (t/as Stardust Circus) [2017] NSWSC 1337 ("Tauri").
In Tauri, McCallum J stated at [7]: "[7] The approach to be taken to that assessment is well-established. In determining the question posed by s 140(3), the Court is not required to engage in a preliminary trial of the matter and, in particular, is not required to engage in an individual assessment of each head of damage under which a claim is made: Johnstone v State of New South Wales [2006] NSWCA 105 at [23] per Giles JA; Santow and McColl JJA agreeing at [26] and [27]; Younes v QIC Ltd (trading as Westpoint Blacktown) [2012] NSWSC 451 at [50] (Bellew J). Rather, the task is to arrive at a likelihood, to an extent as a matter of impression but founded on the evidence before the Court: Johnstone at [22]. The term 'likely' does not mean more probably than not. It requires the Court in a summary way to make an assessment as to whether there is a real chance of the plaintiff obtaining a verdict of more than $750,000 if successful: Cubrilo v Veljovic [2015] NSWSC 367 at [9] (Campbell J), cited with approval in Parker v MID Plumbing Services Pty Ltd [2017] NSWSC 1060 at [16] (Lonergan J)."
In Highland, Henry J stated at [18]: "[18] In considering the plaintiff's application, it is not the role of this Court, nor was it required of the Registrar, to engage in its own assessment of each head of damages claimed in substitution for that of the claimant: see, e.g., Judaline Marion Younes v QIC Ltd trading as Westpoint Blacktown [2012] NSWSC 451 ("Younes") at [50]. The approach to be adopted is to consider the evidence in an impressionistic and summary way: Cubrilo v Veljovic [2015] NSWSC 367 ("Cubrilo") at [3]. Based on that consideration, the Court has to be satisfied that there is a real chance that the plaintiff may recover more than $750,000 if successful. That must depend, in part, on the prospect of evidence put forward being accepted in preference to that of the defendant: Dodd v Wentworth Community Housing Limited [2017] NSWSC 1424; Younes at [50]; Cubrilo at [9]."
As the compensation to relatives claim and the two nervous shock claims have same facts relating to liability and overlap in respect of damages, all three proceedings should be heard together in accordance with s 56 of the Civil Procedure Act. In other words, if the compensation to relatives claim is transferred to this Court for determination, the two nervous shock proceedings should travel with it.

The Registrar's decision dated 20 April 2020

At the hearing before the Registrar, the defendants neither consented nor opposed the transfer. They have adopted the same position in the review in this Court. The defendants tendered medical reports before the Registrar, which I have taken into account.
The Registrar's reasoning is set out at [9], where she stated: "[9] For the purposes of s 140(3)(b)(i) of the [Civil Procedure Act], it is necessary to consider what evidence has been provided to demonstrate that the amount to be awarded is likely to exceed the jurisdictional limit of the District Court. An impressionistic consideration of this evidence is all that is required, as outlined by Campbell J in Dodd v Wentworth Community Housing Limited [2017] NSWSC 1424 (at 16)."
The Registrar set out the correct test. She then considered the compensation to relatives claim, followed by the nervous shock claims. I will address them in the same order.

The compensation to relatives claim

The plaintiffs' compensation to relatives claim includes the first plaintiff's claim on his own behalf, and the claims on behalf of his (and the deceased's) four daughters and granddaughter. The damages in the compensation to relatives claim alone total $1,318,195.51 plus costs, comprising of: 1. $723,202.09 for Robert; 2. $214,524.25 for Natasha; 3. $167,699.07 for Maryanne; 4. $161,025.21 for Elizabeth; and 5. $29,356.89 for Gabrielle; plus 6. $22,385 for funeral and associated expenses.
The Registrar principally dealt with the compensation to relatives claim at paras [10] and [11] of her reasons. Having considered the plaintiffs' submissions, she was not satisfied that the potential quantum of the claim would exceed the $750,000 jurisdictional limit of the District Court.
The Registrar gave three primary reasons for dismissing the plaintiffs' application. The first was that in her view, the effect of the decision in Coote v Kelly [2016] NSWSC 1447 ("Coote") was that the first plaintiff could not claim for non-financial loss or loss of domestic services. The second was that even if Coote was held not to apply at trial, it was still her view that the plaintiffs' entitlement to damages for past and future loss of the deceased's services would be significantly less than the amount claimed, with reference to the decision of Nguyen v Nguyen (1990) 169 CLR 245 ("Nguyen") (per Brennan J). Finally, the Registrar stated that in her view, the plaintiffs' claim was inflated.
The plaintiffs submitted that each of these conclusions involved legal error. I will consider their submissions as follows.

The first reason

The Registrar's considered the effect of Coote as follows: "…The $723,202.09 damages estimate in [the compensation to relatives claim], as pleaded in his Statement of Particulars filed on 6 November 2018 [only] and particularised in his solicitors' letter dated 13 August 2019 (Annexure LA1 to the Atkinson Affidavit), includes a claim for $488,794.80 for past and future loss of the deceased's services. In accordance with the authority of Coote v Kelly [2016] NSWSC 1447, Robert is not entitled to claim for non-financial loss or loss of domestic services in Compensation to Relatives proceedings as subsection 15(2) of the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) has the effect of excluding such an entitlement in its description of the circumstances in which damages for gratuitous attendant care services are payable, which do not include a claim where the provider of the services has died."
It was the Registrar's view that the first plaintiff was not entitled to claim for past non-financial loss or loss of domestic services, as the decision in Coote and the operation of s 15(2) of the Civil Liability Act excluded his entitlement to damages for gratuitous attendant care services where the provider of the services had died.
In Coote, Davies J, after setting out ss 11 and 15 of the Civil Liability Act, stated at [175]-[176] and [178]: "[175] It may be noted that whilst the definition of personal injury damages includes damages that relate to the death of a person, the definition of injury does not include death. [176] What the Plaintiff was claiming was damages for gratuitous attendant care services as defined in s 15(1). Such services included services of a domestic nature by virtue of sub-s (1)(a). However, sub-s (2) excluded damages arising from the death of a person because paragraphs (b) and (c) related the need for the services to 'injury' which did not include death. If it was intended that gratuitous attendant care services damages could be awarded in compensation to relatives action reference would need to have been made in sub-s (2) to death in addition to injury. … [178] …The High Court held in Nguyen v Nguyen, at least for children, that services of a domestic nature could be claimed in a compensation to relatives action. Brennan J said (at 249): 'In my opinion, damages under Lord Campbell's Act in respect of the provision of substitutionary services are assessed according to the same principles as those which govern the assessment of damages in personal injury cases in respect of needed services. Those principles were stated by Gibbs J. in Griffiths v. Kerkemeyer [1977] HCA 45; (1977) 139 CLR 161, at pp 168-169: "The matter should, as it were, be viewed in two stages. First, is it reasonably necessary to provide the services, and would it be reasonably necessary to do so at a cost? If so, the fulfilment of the need is likely to be productive of financial loss. Next, is the character of the benefit which the plaintiff receives by the gratuitous provision of the services such that it ought to be brought into account in relief of the wrongdoer? If not, the damages are recoverable.""
The plaintiffs submitted that the Registrar's application of Coote amounted to a summary dismissal of that aspect of their claim claim, in circumstances where the plaintiffs had an arguable case.
Further, the plaintiffs submitted that Davies J's finding concerning compensable services in Coote was merely obiter, and the relevant law has not been authoritatively determined by an appellate court. Davies J had held that the services were not compensable in Coote at [126] and [137], but at [138], did not need to determine damages. Further, the plaintiffs submitted that the reasoning in Coote was based on the minority judgment of Brennan J in Nguyen, where he stated that the principles from Griffiths v Kerkemeyer (1977) 139 CLR 16; (1977) 15 ALR 387 also apply to the assessment of loss of services claims under the Compensation to Relatives Act. However, the plaintiffs submitted that the majority in Nguyen had considered that Griffiths v Kerkemeyer had "nothing to say" in relation to such claims. It is the plaintiffs' submission that in relation to domestic services, Coote was wrongly decided, and it is appropriate for this aspect of the claim be determined by the Supreme Court.
The plaintiffs submitted that Coote should only have been applied under circumstances where the law was clear and unarguable, referring to the principles in General Steel Industries Inc v New South Wales (1967) 40 ALJR 464 applicable to summary judgments. They argued that on the contrary, the significant legal issues arising from Coote provided yet another reason to transfer the proceedings.

The second reason

The second reason the Registrar gave for dismissing the plaintiffs' application was that even if Coote were found not to apply, the first plaintiff's entitlement to damages for past and future loss of the deceased's services would be significantly less than the amount claimed.
The Registrar referred to Nguyen, where Brennan J listed the relevant considerations as including the following: 1. the "balance of the loss", being the entire family situation before the death, compared with the entire family situation after the death, including a recognition that: 1. the services provided by the deceased were provided for the benefit of both herself and the first plaintiff; 2. there have likely been savings made in consequence of the deceased's death, which have eliminated the need for the first plaintiff to provide care and financial support to her, including for her share of utilities in the household; 3. the first plaintiff will reasonably be expected to adjust his lifestyle to satisfy his need for domestic services to mitigate his loss; 1. the prospect that the first plaintiff may remarry/recouple; 2. the extent to which any children may have taken up the household duties previously performed by the deceased; and 3. the proportionality of the claim for damages for past and future loss of the deceased's services, compared with the first plaintiff's injuries sustained as a result of her death.
The plaintiffs submitted that in considering the factors from Nguyen, the Registrar's made the following errors.
First, the plaintiffs submitted that there was no basis on which the Registrar should have reduced the 28 hours claimed, as they had already allowed for the balance of the loss. For example, the deceased's absence from the home would not reduce the time required to complete many domestic chores as, for example, it would take as long to cook a roast dinner for one person as for two, or to vacuum the house with only one person living there. Further, the plaintiffs submitted that the Registrar's finding that the first plaintiff "will reasonably be expected to adjust his lifestyle" to mitigate his loss was based on the minority opinion in Nguyen. As such, this was an issue more appropriately to be dealt with at trial.
As to the prospect that the first plaintiff may recouple, the plaintiffs submitted that this is arguably a consideration that no longer applies: De Sales v Ingrilli (2002) 212 CLR 338; (2002) 193 ALR 130. In any event, they submitted that there was no evidence to suggest that the first plaintiff might remarry, or when, or that that partnership would sufficiently replace the services lost so as to bring the claim under the jurisdictional limit.
As to whether the children would take take up some of the household duties previously performed by the deceased, the plaintiffs submitted that there was no evidence that the children had the interest, desire, or ability to do so. Further, it is arguable that in Nguyen, the Court held that it was irrelevant to the entitlement to damages that the claimed needs are met through the voluntary assistance of relatives and friends.
Finally, the plaintiffs submitted that the Registrar's consideration of the proportionality of the claim for damages compared with injuries sustained as a result of the deceased's death also involved an error of law, because the compensation to relatives claim compensated for the loss to the first plaintiff, not a replacement for a created need. If the first plaintiff had suffered an injury as the result of the deceased's death, as alleged in the nervous shock claim, then the need for services due to that injury would be compensable in the nervous shock claim.
The first plaintiff submitted that the Registrar's findings in relation to Nguyen were wrong. It is arguable that the plaintiffs can maintain their claims on the majority views expressed in Nguyen, and it was inappropriate on an application for transfer for the Registrar to determine that legal issue.
In Nguyen at [11] to [14] (Dawson, Toohey & McHugh JJ), the majority stated: "[11] The claim in Griffiths v Kerkemeyer was, as we have said, a claim fordamages for personal injuries. It was of a different nature from a claim under Lord Campbell's Act, which is a claim for the loss of a material benefit… [12] By way of contrast, a claim for damages under Lord Campbell's Act is a claim for recompense for some tangible advantage which has been lost by reason of the death of the deceased… In this type of claim the loss can be identified directly and it is unnecessary to point to some need by which it is represented. Commonly the claim is based upon the loss of the financial contribution made by the deceased to the household and is referred to as a claim for the loss of a breadwinner. But the deceased may have made a contribution in services rather than money in which case damages are recoverable for their loss, whether or not they are, or are to be, replaced, provided that a pecuniary value can be placed upon them… [13] In the present case the plaintiffs claimed for "loss of the deceased's washing, ironing and cleaning". There may be other services previously performed by a deceased wife and mother such as tuition in schooling. She may also have performed services by the exercise of skills such as dressmaking. These too may represent a tangible advantage lost by death, which loss may be compensated in damages. There is no reason why "services" in this context should be given an unduly narrow construction, as if a wife were no more than a housekeeper… [14] Griffiths v Kerkemeyer has nothing to say about a claim under Lord Campbell's Act for damages for the loss of domestic services. As we have said, such a claim is not related to need. A husband claiming for the loss of housekeeping services by reason of the death of his wife may have no need of those services in that he may be able to perform them himself. But if he has suffered the loss he is entitled to recover for it and, as Gibbs J. pointed out in Seymour, at p 230, it does not matter whether he intends to use the damages to replace the services or not."
The first plaintiff noted that while it is true that Brennan and Deane JJ in Nguyen took a less expansive view, favouring restrictions based on either mitigation, the principles in Griffiths v Kerkemeyer, or some special need (per Deane J at [10]), they were in the minority on these issues.

The third reason

Finally, the Registrar held that in her view, the plaintiffs' claim was unlikely to exceed the jurisdictional limit of the District Court. This was because the Registrar took the view, after analysing the reports of two psychiatrists, Drs Bertucen and Roberts, that the plaintiffs' claim was inflated.
The Registrar set out the evidence of Dr Bertucen at [14] of her decision. Dr Bertucen had opined that the first plaintiff suffered a major depressive disorder, chronic post-traumatic stress disorder and a complex persistent bereavement syndrome as a result of the deceased's death. However, he remained motivated to complete a master's course and had been looking after his granddaughter three days per week. Dr Bertucen recommended 6 to 9 months' treatment from a psychiatrist.
The defendant's psychiatrist, Dr Roberts, held a different view. He said that the first plaintiff suffered a persistent depressive disorder as a result of the deceased's death, and would require antidepressant medication and psychiatric/psychological treatment for about 12 months, as well as domestic care and assistance from his daughter for 10½ hours per week for the next 12 to 24 months.
On the basis of this evidence, the Registrar made a finding that the plaintiffs' for damages was entirely disproportionate to the first plaintiff's alleged injuries and disabilities resulting from the deceased's death.
The plaintiffs' submitted that the Registrar fell into error by assessing the plaintiffs' entitlement to pecuniary loss, not by reference to the first plaintiff's loss, but by reference to his psychological injury and the need it created. This approach erroneously conflated the first plaintiff's two claims.

The daughters' dependent claims

I will now set out a summary of the first plaintiff's daughters' dependent compensation to relatives claims, and the relevant submissions.

Maryanne

The plaintiffs estimate Maryanne's damages to be $167,702.07, which includes $138,345.80 for past and future loss of the deceased's child care services.
The plaintiffs submitted that the Registrar denied Maryanne's dependent claim on the basis of Coote, and because the first plaintiff had been caring for Maryanne's child 3 days per week. The plaintiffs submitted that the Registrar erroneously delved into factual issues by finding that "I expect the Court would likely accept that [the first plaintiff] has taken up the child care responsibilities which were previously provided to Maryanne by the deceased and will continue to do so". For the reasons submitted in relation to the first plaintiff's claim, the plaintiffs submitted that this consideration is irrelevant. Further, if this were to reduce Maryanne's entitlements, it would only increase the first plaintiff's entitlements. Moreover, the finding represented an impermissible determination of the claim before evidence.

Natasha

The plaintiffs estimate Natasha's component of the damages at $214,524.25, which includes a claim of $185,167.36 for future loss of the deceased's child care services.
They submitted that the Registrar denied Natasha's claim because "there was no evidence to suggest that [the first plaintiff] would not perform childcare for Natasha's children, if any, in place of any assistance that would otherwise be provided by the deceased". Again, the plaintiffs submitted that the Registrar impermissibly determined the claim, rather than assessing whether damages were likely to exceed the jurisdictional limit.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth's claim for damages is $161,025.21, which includes a claim for $131,668.32 for future loss of the deceased's child care services.

Gabrielle

As to Gabrielle, although the plaintiffs submitted that the Registrar did not make adverse findings in her regard, I disagree. The Registrar stated that Gabrielle's claim of $148,788.09 did not appear to be pressed in part, and that her claim was for $29,356.89 for past and future loss of financial benefits.

Resolution

I acknowledge that there may be some delay in the allocation of a hearing date if these matters are transferred from the District Court to this Court. However, at trial, the plaintiff will argue that the decision of Coote is wrong and that the Registrar's application of Nguyen is wrong. These arguments are best dealt with in the Supreme Court, a court of record. At trial, one or both of the plaintiffs' arguments may fail. However, the first plaintiff should not be prevented from bringing his case on this basis, as if it turns out he is successful on both or either issue at trial, his damages will likely exceed the jurisdiction of the District Court. This argument alone is sufficient reason to transfer the proceedings from the District Court to this Court.
As to the Registrar's view of the first plaintiff's psychiatric state, she formed the view that his claim was inflated and did not warrant a transfer to the Supreme Court. The amount awarded for his psychiatric injury will largely depend on whether or how much of his evidence is accepted at trial.
The Registrar correctly identified that the question of whether the amount to be awarded is likely to exceed the jurisdictional limit of the District Court involves an impressionistic consideration of the evidence: see Dodd at [16]; Scott Anthony Highland v Yarrahabi Holdings Community House Inc [2020] NSWSC 12 at [18]. However, I have arrived at a different decision. With respect, in my view, the Registrar has gone beyond taking an impressionistic view. She has delved into the assessment of damages and the chances of success of the legal arguments that counsel for the plaintiffs intends to rely upon at trial. As such, the decision of the Registrar should be set aside.

Nervous shock claims

The Registrar also considered the first and second plaintiffs' nervous shock claims. While it is not necessary for me to deal with them, I shall give some brief reasons in relation to the relevant submissions.

The first plaintiff's nervous shock claim

The first plaintiff provided the following schedule of damages: 1. Non-economic loss (40% of a most extreme case) $254,000 2. Past out of pocket expenses $2,000 3. Future out of pocket expenses $23,980.26 4. Past economic loss $65,400 5. Past superannuation $6,000 6. Future economic loss $120,185.86 7. Future superannuation $10,000 8. Past domestic assistance $89,460 9. Future domestic assistance $454,419
At [15] of her reasons, the Registrar stated that she was not required to conduct an individual assessment of each of the heads of damage in order to determine the likely award of damage. However, she stated that she had seen "no evidence to suggest that the injuries and disabilities allegedly suffered by [the first plaintiff] would sound in non-economic loss damages of $254,000", which was 40% of a most extreme case. This was because even on his own evidence, the first plaintiff had not required any hospitalisation or extensive treatment for his psychiatric condition, and was functional in studying and caring for his granddaughter.
The Registrar also did not think the first plaintiff's injuries would sound in past and future domestic assistance in the amount of $543,879. She noted that neither party to the proceedings had served evidence from an occupational therapist. In reference to Boral Bricks Pty Ltd v Cosmidis; Boral Bricks Pty Ltd v DM & BP Wiskich Pty Ltd [2013] NSWCA 443 at [93]; Lazare v City of Sydney Council and Others [2015] NSWSC 1456 at [49], the Registrar concluded that the admissibility of domestic assistance evidence given by psychiatrists would likely be called into question, and their evidence given little weight. Moreover, on balance, the Registrar was of the view that the first plaintiff's symptoms "will abate with time and on the defendants' evidence of Dr Roberts, his need for assistance will progressively diminish over a 24 month period".
As such, the Registrar was not satisfied that the damages claimed would exceed the jurisdictional limit of the District Court.

The second plaintiff's nervous shock claim

The second plaintiff provided the following schedule of damages: 1. Non-economic loss (40% of a most extreme case) $254,000 2. Past out of pocket expenses $80,000 3. Future out of pocket expenses $20,950.75 4. Past economic loss $39,015.86 5. Past superannuation $3,500 6. Future economic loss $1,073,659.12 7. Future superannuation $75,000 8. Past domestic assistance $NA 9. Future domestic assistance $NA
In her decision at [18], the Registrar referred to the evidence of Dr Bertucen, who gave the opinion that the second plaintiff suffered from a major depressive disorder and complex persistent bereavement disorder as a result of the deceased's death. He stated that she was demotivated and reclusive, but had managed to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree. He recommended 6 to 9 months' treatment from a psychiatrist. The Registrar also referred to the evidence of Dr Roberts, who gave the opinion that the second plaintiff suffered from a persistent depressive disorder as a result of the deceased's death, but that her condition had improved, and on that basis, she "could in due course be expected to return to her pre-injury functioning".
At [19], the Registrar stated that on the balance of the psychiatric evidence, "there is nothing to suggest" that the second plaintiff's alleged injuries and disabilities would sound in the amount of non-economic loss damages claimed. The Registrar noted that the second plaintiff had not required any hospitalisation or extensive treatment, and had been continuing to function in various aspects of her life including her tertiary studies. The Registrar appears to have accepted the psychiatrists' opinions that the second defendant's prognosis was that she would return to normal functioning.
The Registrar concluded that in each of the compensation to relatives claims, the proceedings have been protracted and subject to extensive timetabling. If the transfer application were allowed, it will likely result in a delay of the proceedings to 2021 or even 2022.

Resolution

As stated earlier, it is my view that the plaintiffs' nervous shock claims and compensation to relatives claim should be heard together, as they involve overlapping evidence. As I have already determined that the compensation to relatives claim should be transferred to the Supreme Court, for that reason alone the two nervous shock claims should travel with it.
As to the Registrar's decision, it may be that the plaintiffs' claims in relation to their psychiatric injuries are inflated. However, as with the compensation to relatives claim, determining the award for the plaintiffs' psychiatric injuries will depend on whether their evidence is accepted at trial. Again, it is my view that in dismissing the plaintiffs' nervous shock claims, the Registrar did not form an impressionistic view, but adopted a more stringent approach to the evidence closer to that of a summary judgment. In the exercise of my discretion, I have arrived at the view that there is a real chance that the plaintiffs may recover more than $750,000 if successful. Hence, I set aside the decision of the Registrar dated 20 April 2020. In lieu, I order that the compensation to relatives and nervous shock claims be transferred from the District Court to this Court.

Costs

The first plaintiff seeks his costs of the notice of motion. The defendants oppose an order for costs. Costs are discretionary. As the Registrar's decision has been set aside, it is my view that the appropriate order for costs is that costs be costs in the cause.

The Court orders that: (1) The decision of the Registrar dated 20 April 2020 is set aside. (2) In lieu, I order that the compensation to relatives claim and the nervous shock claims be transferred from the District Court to this Court. (3) Costs are costs in the cause.

DISCLAIMER - Every effort has been made to comply with suppression orders or statutory provisions prohibiting publication that may apply to this judgment or decision. The onus remains on any person using material in the judgment or decision to ensure that the intended use of that material does not breach any such order or provision. Further enquiries may be directed to the Registry of the Court or Tribunal in which it was generated. Decision last updated: 18 September 2020

At a glance

Court

Decision date

Catchwords

Source

Catchwords

Judgment (23 paragraphs)

Parties

Legislation Cited (4)

Cases Cited (21)