The law creates a specialised Dust Diseases Tribunal with exclusive jurisdiction over dust‑related civil claims, concentrating cases in one forum and equipping it with bespoke procedural, rule‑making and regulatory powers. It removes limitation periods for dust claims, allows provisional damages, protects certain non‑economic awards from deduction by workers’ compensation, and empowers interim payments, insurer adjustment orders, compulsory claims‑resolution processes and mandatory reporting to the Registrar. It primarily affects affected claimants, defendants/insurers and legal practitioners by changing timing, liability exposure, and administrative obligations.
The Dust Diseases Tribunal Act 1989 (the Act) establishes and regulates the Dust Diseases Tribunal of New South Wales as a specialist superior court of record with exclusive jurisdiction over claims for damages arising from dust-related conditions. At its core, s 10(1) confers exclusive jurisdiction (subject only to ss 29 and 32) to hear and determine proceedings referred to in ss 11 and 12. Section 11(1) mandates that any claim for damages—where a living person or a deceased person immediately before death suffered from a "dust-related condition" (defined in s 3(1) as any disease listed in Schedule 1 or any other pathological condition of the lungs, pleura or peritoneum attributable to dust) alleged to result from breach of a duty (statutory or common-law)—must be brought in the Tribunal and cannot be brought or entertained in any other court or tribunal.
The Act goes far beyond mere jurisdictional channeling. It removes all limitation periods (s 12A), expressly disapplying the Limitation Act 1969 (including ss 14, 18A, 60C, 60G and Schedule 5) so that claims may be commenced "at any time". It introduces a provisional-damages regime (s 11A) under which the Tribunal may award damages on the assumption that the plaintiff will not develop a further dust-related condition, while preserving the right to seek further damages if that assumption proves false. Part 3 contains an array of procedural innovations: open-court hearings subject to rules (s 13(1)), power to hear multiple plaintiffs together (s 13(4)), power to reconsider or amend its own decisions (s 13(6)), extra-territorial hearings where cost and convenience require (s 13(7)), and a statutory prohibition on appeals except on a point of law or on admission/rejection of evidence (s 32).
The 2005 amendments inserted Part 3B, which empowers the Governor to make regulations establishing a compulsory claims-resolution process (s 32H). Those regulations (now largely embodied in the ) prescribe pre-litigation exchange of information, compulsory mediation, standard presumptions for apportionment of liability between defendants and cross-defendants, offers of compromise with costs consequences, and mechanisms that narrow the issues that may be litigated once the claim reaches a hearing. The Tribunal is also given powers to manage inter-insurer disputes under s 151AC of the through arbitration (Part 5) and to order interim payments even while insurer contribution disputes remain unresolved (Part 6, ss 41–46).
Current sections
Direct links to the current provisions in Dust Diseases Tribunal Act 1989.
This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.
3
Definitions
3 Definitions
3 Definitions
(1) In this Act—
ancillary or related matter, in relation to any proceedings, includes any claim relating to the subject-matter of the proceedings that a defendant in the proceedings has against another person, whether that other person is a party to the proceedings or not.
Tribunal means the Dust Diseases Tribunal of New South Wales established by this Act.
(2) In this Act—
(a) a reference to a function includes a reference to a power, authority and duty, and
(b) a reference to the exercise of a function includes, where the function is a duty, a reference to the performance of the duty.
(3) Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act.
s 3: Am 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (1) (6) (10); 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [1]; 2001 No 34, Sch 2.11 [1]; 2002 No 23, Sch 1.1 [1]; 2005 No 22, Sch 1 [1]; 2006 No 120, Sch 3.9 [1]; 2015 No 7, Sch 2.14 [1].
Part 2
Constitution of the Tribunal
Part 2 Constitution of the Tribunal
Part 2 Constitution of the Tribunal
4
Tribunal to be established as a court of record
4 Tribunal to be established as a court of record
4 Tribunal to be established as a court of record
(1) There is established by this Act a tribunal to be known as the Dust Diseases Tribunal of New South Wales.
(2) The Tribunal is a court of record.
5
Tribunal to have a seal
5 Tribunal to have a seal
5 Tribunal to have a seal
(1) The Tribunal is required to have a seal and to use the seal to seal or stamp any document that is required by or under this or any other Act to be sealed or stamped.
(2) All courts and persons acting judicially are required to take judicial notice of the Tribunal’s seal.
6
Single member to constitute the Tribunal
6 Single member to constitute the Tribunal
6 Single member to constitute the Tribunal
The jurisdiction of the Tribunal is exercisable by a single member and that member, when exercising that jurisdiction, constitutes the Tribunal.
7
Members of the Tribunal
7 Members of the Tribunal
7 Members of the Tribunal
(1) The Governor may, by commission under the public seal of the State, appoint any qualified person to be a member of the Tribunal.
(2) A person is qualified to be a member of the Tribunal if the person is a Judge or acting Judge of the Supreme Court or District Court, or of a Court that is of equivalent status (for the purposes of Part 9 of the Constitution Act 1902) to the Supreme Court or District Court.
(3) The Oaths Act 1900 applies in respect of a member in the same way as it applies in respect of a Judge of the Supreme Court.
(3A) The Governor may, by the commission of a person’s appointment as a member or by a subsequent commission under the public seal of the State, appoint a member to be President of the Tribunal.
(3B) Subject to subsection (3C), the President is to hold office as President so long as he or she holds office as a member.
(3C) With the approval of the Governor, the President may resign his or her office as President without resigning his or her office as a member.
(4) Schedule 2 has effect with respect to a member.
s 7: Am 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (7); 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [2]; 2002 No 23, Sch 1.1 [2]; 2008 No 107, Sch 10 [1].
7A
Vacancy in office of or absence of President
7A Vacancy in office of or absence of President
7A Vacancy in office of or absence of President
(1) If there is a vacancy in the office of the President, or the President is absent from his or her duties, the senior of the other members willing to act as President is, if there is no Acting President appointed under section 7B, to act as President, and is, while so acting, to have all the functions of the President.
(2) For the purposes only of subsection (1)—
(a) the members are to have seniority between themselves according to the dates of their commission as members, a member whose commission is dated earlier than that of another member being senior to that other member, and
(b) if the commissions of two or more members bear the same date, those members are to have seniority between themselves according to the seniority assigned to them by their commission or, failing any such assignment, according to the order of their being sworn.
s 7A: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (8). Am 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [2].
7B
Acting President
7B Acting President
7B Acting President
(1) The Governor may, by commission under the public seal of the State, appoint a member to be Acting President during such period as the President may be absent from his or her duties.
(1A) Unless the Governor has made an appointment under subsection (1) (and without limiting subsection (1)), the Attorney General may, by instrument in writing, appoint a member to be Acting President during such period as the President may be absent from his or her duties.
(1B) An appointment under this section may be made for a particular absence or for any absence that occurs from time to time.
(2) While holding office, the Acting President is to have the same functions as the President.
(3) In this section, absent from duty includes a vacancy in the office of President.
s 7B: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (8). Am 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [2]; 2015 No 2, Sch 3.4 [1] [2].
8
Immunity of member
8 Immunity of member
8 Immunity of member
While exercising the functions of a member, a member has the same protection and immunity as a Judge of the Supreme Court has in the exercise of the functions of such a Judge.
9
Staff of the Tribunal to be appointed
9 Staff of the Tribunal to be appointed
9 Staff of the Tribunal to be appointed
(1) A registrar and such other staff of the Tribunal as may be necessary for the proper administration of this Act and the rules may be appointed and employed in accordance with Part 2 of the Public Sector Management Act 1988.
(2) A person may hold the office of registrar in conjunction with any other office if the functions of that other office are not inconsistent with those of the office of registrar.
(3) The registrar and other staff of the Tribunal have such functions as are prescribed by this Act and the rules.
(4) The Tribunal may, with the approval of the Minister and of the Minister administering a government department or administrative office, arrange for the use of the services of any staff or facilities of the department or office.
Part 3
Jurisdiction of, and proceedings before, the Tribunal
Part 3 Jurisdiction of, and proceedings before, the Tribunal
Part 3 Jurisdiction of, and proceedings before, the Tribunal
10
Jurisdiction and functions of the Tribunal
10 Jurisdiction and functions of the Tribunal
10 Jurisdiction and functions of the Tribunal
(1) The Tribunal has, except as provided by sections 29 and 32, exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine proceedings referred to in sections 11 and 12.
(2) The Tribunal has such other jurisdiction as may be conferred on it by or under any other Act.
(3) The Tribunal has, wherever sitting, jurisdiction throughout New South Wales.
(4) In any proceedings brought under section 11 or transferred under section 12, the Tribunal has the same power to make decisions as the Supreme Court would, but for this section, have had in relation to similar proceedings brought in the Supreme Court.
(5) Subject to sections 13 (6) and 14, a decision of the Tribunal has the same effect as, and may be enforced in the same way as, a decision of the Supreme Court.
(6) The following matters are declared to be excluded matters for the purposes of section 5F of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth in relation to the provisions of sections 471B and 500 (2) of that Act—
(a) proceedings under section 11 of this Act,
(b) proceedings transferred under section 12 of this Act,
being proceedings that, but for this subsection, could not be commenced or proceeded with without the leave of the Court referred to in section 471B or 500 (2) of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth.
Note—
In the absence of this subsection, sections 471B and 500 (2) of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth would require the leave of the Federal Court or the Supreme Court to commence or proceed with proceedings under this Act against certain companies that are being externally administered. This section ensures that section 5F of that Act will operate to ensure that those sections will not require the leave of the Court directing the external administration before proceedings can be commenced or proceeded with in the Tribunal.
(7) Proceedings to which subsection (6) refers are declared to be an applied Corporations legislation matter for the purposes of Part 3 of the Corporations (Ancillary Provisions) Act 2001 in relation to sections 471B and 500 (2) of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth as if a reference in those sections to the Court were a reference to the Tribunal.
Note—
Part 3 of the Corporations (Ancillary Provisions) Act 2001 provides for the application of provisions of the Corporations Act 2001 and Part 3 of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 of the Commonwealth as laws of the State in respect of any matter declared by a law of the State (whether with or without modification) to be an applied Corporations legislation matter for the purposes of that Part in relation to those Commonwealth provisions. Section 14 (2) of the Corporations (Ancillary Provisions) Act 2001 ensures that a declaration made for the purposes of Part 3 of that Act only operates to apply a provision of the Corporations legislation to a matter as a law of the State if that provision does not already apply to the matter as a law of the Commonwealth. If a provision referred to in a declaration already applies as a law of the Commonwealth, nothing in the declaration will affect its continued operation as a law of the Commonwealth.
s 10: Am 2001 No 34, Sch 2.11 [2]; 2001 No 112, Sch 2.15.
11
Claims for damages for dust diseases etc to be brought under this Act
11 Claims for damages for dust diseases etc to be brought under this Act
11 Claims for damages for dust diseases etc to be brought under this Act
(1) If—
(a) a person is suffering, or has suffered, from a dust-related condition or a person who has died was, immediately before death, suffering from a dust-related condition, and
(b) it is alleged that the dust-related condition was attributable or partly attributable to a breach of a duty owed to the person by another person, and
(c) the person who is or was suffering from the dust-related condition or a person claiming through that person would, but for this Act, have been entitled to bring an action for the recovery of damages in respect of that dust-related condition or death,
proceedings for damages in respect of that dust-related condition or death may be brought before the Tribunal and may not be brought or entertained before any other court or tribunal.
(1A) Proceedings by any tort-feasor liable in respect of damages referred to in subsection (1) to recover contribution from any other tort-feasor liable in respect of that damage may be brought before the Tribunal.
Note—
This subsection does not prevent those proceedings being brought in another court.
(2) In subsection (1), a reference to a duty includes a reference to a duty imposed by statute as well as a duty imposed under the common law.
(3) If the cause of action giving rise to proceedings to be brought under subsection (1) or (1A) also gives rise to a claim in respect of some other matter, the claim may be included in those proceedings even though it does not relate to a dust-related condition from which a person is suffering or has suffered.
(4) Any matter that is ancillary or related to a matter that is the subject of proceedings to be brought under subsection (1) or (1A) may also be included in those proceedings.
(5) In subsection (1) (c), the reference to a person claiming through a person who is or was suffering from a dust-related condition includes a reference to a relative for whose benefit an action may be brought under the Compensation to Relatives Act 1897.
s 11: Am 1989 No 226, Sch 1; 2005 No 22, Sch 1 [2] [3].
11A
Award of provisional damages
11A Award of provisional damages
11A Award of provisional damages
(1) This section applies to proceedings of the kind referred to in section 11 (1) that are brought after the commencement of this section and in which there is proved or admitted to be a chance that at some definite or indefinite time in the future the person who is suffering from the dust-related condition in respect of which the proceedings are brought (the injured person) will, as a result or partly as a result of the breach of duty giving rise to the cause of action, develop another dust-related condition.
(2) The Tribunal may, in accordance with the rules—
(a) award damages assessed on the assumption that the injured person will not develop another dust-related condition, and
(b) award further damages at a future date if the injured person does develop another dust-related condition.
s 11A: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (2).
12
Transfer of proceedings from the Supreme Court or District Court to the Tribunal
12 Transfer of proceedings from the Supreme Court or District Court to the Tribunal
12 Transfer of proceedings from the Supreme Court or District Court to the Tribunal
(1) If—
(a) on the commencement of this section, proceedings of the kind referred to in section 11 (1) are pending in the Supreme Court and the hearing of those proceedings has not begun, or
(b) after that commencement, proceedings of that kind are brought or are pending in the Supreme Court,
the registrar of the division of that Court in which the proceedings are pending or are brought must transfer the proceedings to the Tribunal, together with any ancillary or related matters.
(2) If—
(a) on the commencement of this section, proceedings of the kind referred to in section 11 (1) are pending in the District Court and the hearing of those proceedings has not begun, or
(b) after that commencement, proceedings of that kind are brought or are pending in the District Court,
the registrar of that Court for the place where the proceedings are pending or are brought must transfer the proceedings to the Tribunal, together with any ancillary or related matters.
12A
No limitation period
12A No limitation period
12A No limitation period
(1) The purpose of this section is to enable proceedings to be brought before the Tribunal in relation to dust-related conditions at any time.
(2) Nothing in the Limitation Act 1969 or any other statute of limitations operates to prevent the bringing or maintenance of proceedings before the Tribunal in relation to dust-related conditions.
(3) Without limiting subsection (2)—
(a) sections 14, 18A, 60C and 60G of, Division 6 of Part 2 of, and Schedule 5 to, the Limitation Act 1969 do not prevent the bringing or maintenance of any such proceedings before the Tribunal, and
(b) any such proceedings may be brought or maintained before the Tribunal even though a limitation period has already expired under that Act, and
(c) any such proceedings may be brought or maintained before the Tribunal as if Division 1 of Part 4 of that Act had never been in force.
s 12A: Ins 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [3]. Am 2002 No 92, Sch 4.1.
12B
Damages for non-economic loss after death of plaintiff
12B Damages for non-economic loss after death of plaintiff
12B Damages for non-economic loss after death of plaintiff
(1) The purpose of this section is to enable the estate of a person whose death has been caused by a dust-related condition to recover damages for the person’s pain or suffering, or for any bodily or mental harm suffered by the person, or for curtailment of the person’s expectation of life, provided proceedings commenced by the person were pending before the Tribunal at the person’s death.
(2) Section 2 (2) (d) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1944 does not apply in relation to proceedings commenced by a person before his or her death and pending before the Tribunal at his or her death, where the cause of action is for damages in respect of a dust-related condition.
s 12B: Ins 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [4].
12C
Effect of settlement on proceedings by or against joint and several tortfeasors
12C Effect of settlement on proceedings by or against joint and several tortfeasors
12C Effect of settlement on proceedings by or against joint and several tortfeasors
(1) For the avoidance of doubt, settlement with one or more joint tortfeasors in or in relation to proceedings before the Tribunal and who are liable in respect of damage as a result of a dust-related condition is not a bar to recovery against one or more other joint tortfeasors (whether or not they are defendants in the proceedings), unless the terms of the settlement otherwise provide.
(2) A tortfeasor who settles proceedings before the Tribunal that are brought against the tortfeasor by a plaintiff in respect of damage as a result of a dust-related condition is not precluded from recovering contribution in respect of that same damage under section 5 (1) (c) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1946 from any other tortfeasor (whether a joint tortfeasor or otherwise) who is not a party to the settlement only because a judgment giving effect to that settlement has been entered in favour of the plaintiff without the Tribunal having considered the merits of the case.
Damages for non-economic loss not to be reduced by certain compensation payments
12D Damages for non-economic loss not to be reduced by certain compensation payments
12D Damages for non-economic loss not to be reduced by certain compensation payments
(1) This section applies to proceedings before the Tribunal (including proceedings on an appeal from the Tribunal) for damages in relation to dust-related conditions.
(2) In determining damages for non-economic loss in any such proceedings, no deduction is to be made for any amount of compensation already paid or payable, or payable in the future, under the Workers’ Compensation (Dust Diseases) Act 1942.
(3) In this section—
damages for non-economic loss means damages or compensation for the following—
(a) pain and suffering,
(b) loss of amenities of life,
(c) loss of expectation of life,
(d) disfigurement,
(e) the need for services of a domestic nature or services relating to nursing and attendance which have been or are to be provided to a person by another person, and for which the first person has not paid and is not liable to pay any fee or charge.
s 12D: Ins 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [6].
13
Proceedings before the Tribunal
13 Proceedings before the Tribunal
13 Proceedings before the Tribunal
(1) The Tribunal must hold its proceedings in open court, except to the extent that the rules provide otherwise.
(2) The President is to fix the times and places for the holding of proceedings before the Tribunal and is to nominate the member before whom proceedings are to be held.
(3) The President may delegate to a member the President’s functions under subsection (2).
(4) If proceedings before the Tribunal have been brought by two or more persons and those proceedings arise out of the same cause of action, the Tribunal may hear and determine those proceedings together if of the opinion that none of those persons’ cases would be prejudiced.
(5) A decision of the Tribunal is not liable—
(a) to be vitiated because of any informality or want of form, or
(b) to be questioned or appealed against in any court,
except as provided by section 32 of this Act or section 48 of the Supreme Court Act 1970.
(6) Whenever appropriate, the Tribunal may reconsider any matter that it has previously dealt with, or rescind or amend any decision that the Tribunal has previously made.
(7) If the President is of the opinion that the balance of cost and convenience in the proceedings so requires, the President may direct that the hearing of the proceedings, or any part of the proceedings, take place outside New South Wales.
s 13: Am 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (9) (20); 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [2]; 2005 No 22, Sch 1 [4]; 2013 No 38, Sch 1.3.
14
Judgments and orders for payment of money
14 Judgments and orders for payment of money
14 Judgments and orders for payment of money
(1) If a judgment or order of the Tribunal is for payment of an amount of money (including a sum awarded as costs) the judgment or order shall, on the filing of the prescribed documents in the registry of the Common Law Division of the Supreme Court, be taken to be a judgment of that Court for the payment of that amount of money in accordance with the judgment or order of the Tribunal.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the prescribed documents are—
(a) a copy of the judgment or order of the Tribunal certified by the registrar to be a true copy, and
(b) an affidavit by the person to whom the amount of money was adjudged or ordered to be paid specifying the amount unpaid under the judgment or order and, where the judgment or order is to take effect on a default, as to the making of the default.
(3) No fee is payable for the filing of documents under subsection (1).
(4) Subsection (3) applies irrespective of the provisions of any other Act to the contrary.
(5) Part 8 (Enforcement of judgments and orders) of the Civil Procedure Act 2005 does not apply to authorise the Tribunal to exercise any function of a court under that Part.
s 14: Am 2005 No 22, Sch 1 [5].
15
15
15, 16 (Repealed)
17
Parties to proceedings before the Tribunal
17 Parties to proceedings before the Tribunal
17 Parties to proceedings before the Tribunal
(1) If a party to proceedings before the Tribunal has a right to proceed against two or more persons who may be jointly liable—
(a) it is sufficient if at least one of those persons is served with process in the proceedings, and
(b) a decision in the proceedings may be given and enforced against the person or persons found to be liable.
(2) Subsection (1) is subject to the rules.
(3) Section 95 of the Civil Procedure Act 2005 applies to a decision given in proceedings before the Tribunal in the same way as it applies to a judgment given in proceedings before the Supreme Court.
(4) An executor, administrator, trustee or other legal personal representative may bring or defend proceedings before the Tribunal in the same manner as if he or she were bringing or defending proceedings in his or her own right.
(5) If, before the holding of particular proceedings before the Tribunal or at any stage during the holding of any proceedings, the Tribunal is of the opinion that a person ought to be joined as a party to the proceedings, the Tribunal may, by notice in writing served on the person or by oral direction given during the proceedings, join the person as a party to the proceedings.
s 17: Am 2005 No 28, Sch 5.15 [2].
18
18
18 (Repealed)
19
Right of appearance and representation before the Tribunal
19 Right of appearance and representation before the Tribunal
19 Right of appearance and representation before the Tribunal
(1) A party to proceedings before the Tribunal—
(a) may appear in the proceedings personally or by an Australian legal practitioner, and
(b) may not, except by leave of the Tribunal, be represented in the proceedings otherwise than by an Australian legal practitioner.
(2) Only an Australian legal practitioner is entitled to demand or receive a fee or reward for representing a party in proceedings before the Tribunal.
s 19: Am 2006 No 58, Sch 3.5 [1].
20
Subpoenas and examination of witnesses
20 Subpoenas and examination of witnesses
20 Subpoenas and examination of witnesses
(1) If the Tribunal so directs or a party to proceedings before the Tribunal so requests, the registrar must issue a subpoena requiring a specified person to do either or both of the following—
(a) to attend and give evidence before the Tribunal at a time and place specified in the subpoena,
(b) to produce to the Tribunal, or to attend before the Tribunal and produce, any document or thing in the person’s custody or under the person’s control that the person is required by the subpoena to produce.
(2) If—
(a) in accordance with this section, a person is required by a subpoena to produce a document, and
(b) the document is not in writing, or is not written in the English language, or is not decipherable on sight,
the subpoena shall be taken to require the person to produce, in addition to the document if it is in writing, or instead of the document if it is not in writing, a statement, written in the English language and decipherable on sight, containing the whole of the information in the document.
(3) The Tribunal may administer an oath to any person appearing as a witness before the Tribunal, whether or not a subpoena has been issued to the witness under subsection (1), and allow the witness to be examined and cross-examined on oath.
(4) A witness attending or appearing before the Tribunal has the same protection and, without affecting any penalty that may be imposed under this Act, is subject to the same liabilities, as a witness would have or be subject to in proceedings before the Supreme Court.
(5) A witness attending before the Tribunal in accordance with a subpoena issued under subsection (1) is entitled to be paid such fees and allowances as are prescribed by, or calculated in accordance with, the rules.
(6) If a subpoena is issued under subsection (1) at the request of a party, the person specified in the subpoena is not required to comply with the subpoena unless, not later than a reasonable time before the day on which the subpoena is to be complied with, that person is tendered an amount, prescribed by, or calculated in accordance with, the rules, to meet the expense of complying with the requirements of the subpoena.
(7) This section is subject to the regulations.
s 20: Am 2005 No 22, Sch 1 [7].
21
Person issued with a subpoena may be apprehended
21 Person issued with a subpoena may be apprehended
21 Person issued with a subpoena may be apprehended
(1) If a person served with a subpoena issued under section 20 (1) to attend before, or to produce a document to, the Tribunal fails to comply with the subpoena, the Tribunal may, on proof of the service of the subpoena, issue to such person as the Tribunal appoints a warrant for the apprehension of that person.
(2) A warrant issued under this section authorises—
(a) the apprehension of the person to whom the warrant relates, and
(b) the bringing of that person before the Tribunal, and
(c) the detention of that person in custody until he or she is released by order of the Tribunal or the Supreme Court.
(3) The apprehension of a person under this section does not relieve the person from any liability incurred as a result of non-compliance with a subpoena to attend before, or to produce a document or thing to, the Tribunal.
22
Inspection and retention of records
22 Inspection and retention of records
22 Inspection and retention of records
(1) The Tribunal—
(a) may inspect any document or statement produced before it and retain it for such period as it thinks necessary for the purposes of the proceedings in relation to which it was produced, and
(b) may make copies of the document or statement or any part of the document or statement.
(2) If a document or statement is produced before, and retained by, the Tribunal, the person otherwise entitled to possession of the document or statement is, on request, entitled to be supplied, as soon as practicable, with a copy of the document or statement certified by the registrar to be a true copy.
(3) A document or statement so certified is admissible as evidence in all courts as if it were the original document or statement.
(4) If, in accordance with subsection (2), a person is entitled to be supplied with a copy of a document or statement, the person, or a person authorised by the person, may, at such times and places as the registrar directs, inspect and make copies of, or take extracts from, the document or statement.
23
23
23 (Repealed)
24
Examination de bene esse
24 Examination de bene esse
24 Examination de bene esse
(1) The Tribunal may, on the application of a party to proceedings before it, authorise—
(a) any judge, counsel, attorney or commissioner for affidavits, whether of New South Wales or elsewhere, or
(b) any British Consular Officer or Australian Consular Officer in any place out of New South Wales,
to take at some convenient place the examination of a witness de bene esse, if the witness—
(c) is absent from New South Wales, or
(d) is expected to die or to be unable from sickness or infirmity to attend at the hearing of the proceedings.
(2) In subsection (1), the expressions “Australian Consular Officer” and “British Consular Officer” have the same meanings as they have in section 26 of the Oaths Act 1900.
s 24: Am 2001 No 121, Sch 2.89.
25
Evidence in proceedings before the Tribunal
25 Evidence in proceedings before the Tribunal
25 Evidence in proceedings before the Tribunal
(1) Any evidence that would be admissible in proceedings in the Supreme Court is admissible in proceedings before the Tribunal.
(2) Except as otherwise provided by this Part or the rules, evidence is not admissible in proceedings before the Tribunal if it would not be admissible in those proceedings by virtue of subsection (1).
(3) Historical evidence and general medical evidence concerning dust exposure and dust diseases which has been admitted in any proceedings before the Tribunal may, with the leave of the Tribunal, be received as evidence in any other proceedings before the Tribunal, whether or not the proceedings are between the same parties.
s 25: Am 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (19).
25A
Material already obtained
25A Material already obtained
25A Material already obtained
(1) Material obtained for the purposes of proceedings before the Tribunal by discovery or interrogatories may—
(a) with the leave of the Tribunal, and
(b) with the consent of—
(i) subject to subparagraph (ii), the party who originally obtained the material or the party’s Australian legal practitioner, or
(ii) another person prescribed by the rules,
be used in other proceedings before the Tribunal, whether or not the proceedings are between the same parties.
(2) The rules may provide that subsection (1) does not apply in specified kinds of proceedings or in specified circumstances.
s 25A: Ins 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [7]. Am 2006 No 58, Sch 3.5 [2].
25B
General issues already determined
25B General issues already determined
25B General issues already determined
(1) Issues of a general nature determined in proceedings before the Tribunal (including proceedings on an appeal from the Tribunal) may not be relitigated or reargued in other proceedings before the Tribunal without the leave of the Tribunal, whether or not the proceedings are between the same parties.
(1A) If an issue of a general nature already determined in proceedings before the Tribunal (the earlier proceedings) is the subject of other proceedings before the Tribunal (the later proceedings) and that issue is determined in the later proceedings on the basis of the determination of the issue in the earlier proceedings, the judgment of the Tribunal in the later proceedings must identify the issue and must identify that it is an issue of a general nature determined as referred to in this section.
(2) In deciding whether to grant leave for the purposes of subsection (1), the Tribunal is to have regard to—
(a) the availability of new evidence (whether or not previously available), and
(b) the manner in which the other proceedings referred to in that subsection were conducted, and
(c) such other matters as the Tribunal considers to be relevant.
(3) The rules may provide that subsection (1) does not apply in specified kinds of proceedings or in specified circumstances or (without limitation) in relation to specified kinds of issues.
(4) This section does not affect any other law relating to matters of which judicial notice can be taken or about which proof is not required.
s 25B: Ins 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [8]. Am 2005 No 22, Sch 1 [9].
26
Contempt of the Tribunal
26 Contempt of the Tribunal
26 Contempt of the Tribunal
In respect of proceedings before the Tribunal, the Tribunal has the same powers for punishing contempt of the Tribunal as are conferred on a Judge of the Supreme Court for punishing contempt of a division of the Supreme Court.
27
27
27–31 (Repealed)
32
Right of appeal to Supreme Court
32 Right of appeal to Supreme Court
32 Right of appeal to Supreme Court
(1) A party who is dissatisfied with a decision of the Tribunal in point of law or on a question as to the admission or rejection of evidence may appeal to the Supreme Court.
(2) The Supreme Court may, on the hearing of any appeal under this section, remit the matter to the Tribunal for determination by the Tribunal in accordance with any decision of the Supreme Court and may make such other order in relation to the appeal as the Supreme Court sees fit.
(3) A decision of the Supreme Court on an appeal under this section is binding on the Tribunal and on all parties to the proceedings in respect of which the appeal was made.
(4) The following appeals under this section may be made only by leave of the Supreme Court—
(a) an appeal from an interlocutory decision,
(b) an appeal from a decision as to costs only,
(c) an appeal from a final decision, other than an appeal that involves (directly or indirectly) a claim for, or a question relating to, an amount of $20,000 or more,
(d) an appeal from a decision made with the consent of the parties.
s 32: Subst 1995 No 88, Sch 1; 1998 No 49, Sch 11 [1]. Am 2002 No 99, Sch 3.4.
Part 3A
Rule Committee
Part 3A Rule Committee
Part 3A Rule Committee
pt 3A: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (11).
32A
Establishment of the Rule Committee
32A Establishment of the Rule Committee
32A Establishment of the Rule Committee
There is to be a Dust Diseases Tribunal Rule Committee.
s 32A: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (11).
32B
Composition of the Rule Committee
32B Composition of the Rule Committee
32B Composition of the Rule Committee
(1) The Rule Committee is to be composed of no more than 6 members.
(2) Of the members of the Rule Committee—
(a) one is to be the President of the Tribunal, and
(b) no more than 3 are to be members of the Tribunal other than the President, and
(c) one is to be a barrister, and
(d) one is to be a solicitor.
(3) A member of the Rule Committee referred to in subsection (2) (b), (c) or (d) is to be appointed by the President in writing.
(4) Subject to this section, a member of the Rule Committee referred to in subsection (2) (b), (c) or (d) holds office for such period as may be specified in the member’s instrument of appointment and, if otherwise qualified, is eligible for re-appointment or, as the case may be, for further re-appointment.
(5) A member of the Rule Committee ceases to hold office as such—
(a) when the member ceases to hold the qualification by virtue of which the member was appointed, or
(b) in the case of a member referred to in subsection (2) (b), (c) or (d), if the member resigns as such in writing addressed to the President.
(6) In the event of the office of any member of the Rule Committee becoming vacant, a suitably qualified person must, in the case of a member referred to in subsection (2) (b), (c) or (d) and subject to this section, be appointed to fill the vacancy.
ss 32B–32D: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (11). Am 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [2].
32C
Deputies for barrister and solicitor members
32C Deputies for barrister and solicitor members
32C Deputies for barrister and solicitor members
(1) The President may, from time to time, appoint to the Rule Committee—
(a) a barrister to be the deputy of the member appointed under section 32B (2) (c), and
(b) a solicitor to be the deputy of the member appointed under section 32B (2) (d),
and the President may revoke any such appointment.
(2) In the absence of a member appointed under section 32B (2) (c) or (d), the member’s deputy—
(a) may, if available, act in the place of the member, and
(b) while so acting, has the functions of the member and is taken to be the member.
ss 32B–32D: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (11). Am 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [2].
32D
Chairperson and deputy chairperson of the Rule Committee
32D Chairperson and deputy chairperson of the Rule Committee
32D Chairperson and deputy chairperson of the Rule Committee
(1) The President is to be the chairperson of the Rule Committee.
(2) The President is to appoint another member to be the deputy chairperson of the Rule Committee.
ss 32B–32D: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (11). Am 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [2].
32E
Meetings of the Rule Committee
32E Meetings of the Rule Committee
32E Meetings of the Rule Committee
(1) The procedure for calling meetings of the Rule Committee and for the conduct of business at those meetings is, subject to any procedure that is prescribed by or under this Act, to be as determined by the Rule Committee.
(2) Three members of the Rule Committee are to form a quorum and any duly convened meeting of the Rule Committee at which a quorum is present is competent to transact any business of the Rule Committee and has all the functions of the Rule Committee.
(3) The chairperson of the Rule Committee or, in the absence of the chairperson, the deputy chairperson of that Committee is to preside at a meeting of that Committee.
(4) In the absence from a meeting of the Rule Committee of both the chairperson and the deputy chairperson another member of the Rule Committee elected by the members present is to preside at the meeting.
(5) The person presiding at a meeting of the Rule Committee has a deliberative vote and, in the event of an equality of votes, also has a casting vote.
(6) A decision supported by a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of the Rule Committee at which a quorum is present is the decision of that Committee.
(7) The President may, subject to any decision of the Rule Committee under subsection (1), call meetings of the Rule Committee as and when the President thinks necessary.
(8) The Rule Committee may, if it thinks fit, transact any of its business by the circulation of papers among all the members of the Rule Committee for the time being, and a resolution in writing approved in writing by a majority of those members is to be taken to be a decision of the Rule Committee.
s 32E: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (11). Am 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [9].
32F
Secretary to the Rule Committee
32F Secretary to the Rule Committee
32F Secretary to the Rule Committee
(1) Subject to and in accordance with Part 2 of the Public Sector Management Act 1988, a person is to be appointed to hold office as the Secretary to the Rule Committee.
(2) The appointment of a person under subsection (1) is subject to the prior approval of the President.
(3) A person may hold office under subsection (1) in conjunction with some other office or position in the Public Service.
(4) The Secretary to the Rule Committee has and may exercise and discharge such functions as may be specified in the rules or as the Rule Committee may determine.
s 32F: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (11). Am 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [2].
Part 3B
Regulations—claims management and practice and procedure
Part 3B Regulations—claims management and practice and procedure
Part 3B Regulations—claims management and practice and procedure
pt 3B: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (17). Subst 2005 No 22, Sch 1 [14].
32G
Definitions
32G Definitions
32G Definitions
In this Part—
claim means a claim in proceedings.
proceedings means proceedings in the Tribunal brought or to be brought under section 11 or transferred under section 12.
rules of court means rules under section 33 of this Act or uniform rules under the Civil Procedure Act 2005 applicable to proceedings.
s 32G: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (17). Subst 2005 No 22, Sch 1 [14].
32H
Regulations to promote claims resolution
32H Regulations to promote claims resolution
32H Regulations to promote claims resolution
(1) The Governor may make regulations for or with respect to the following—
(a) the establishment of a claims resolution process for claims, with procedures for identifying the issues in dispute between the parties to a claim and the settlement of claims by alternative dispute resolution processes,
(b) procedures and presumptions for the apportionment of liability between defendants and cross-defendants in connection with a claim,
(c) the making and acceptance of offers of compromise and the consequences by way of costs penalties and costs relief of the rejection of an offer by a party who fails to improve their position at hearing,
(d) identifying the issues that remain in dispute when a claim is not settled by the claims resolution process and limiting the determination of the claim in the Tribunal to a determination of those issues,
(e) subpoenas to give evidence or to produce any document or thing, including the issue and return of subpoenas and compliance with subpoenas,
(f) costs (including disbursements) payable by a party in or in relation to a claim,
(g) the practice and procedure to be followed in proceedings and any other matter for or with respect to which rules may be made under this Act,
(h) the exclusion of any proceedings or class of proceedings from the operation of any specified provision of the Civil Procedure Act 2005 or the rules made under that Act,
(i) the modification of any specified provision of the Civil Procedure Act 2005 or the rules made under that Act in its application to any proceedings or class of proceedings.
(2) Without limitation, this section authorises the making of regulations for or with respect to the following—
(a) the exchange of information between the parties to a claim,
(b) the compulsory mediation of claims and the functions, privileges, remuneration, immunities and protections of mediators and parties to mediation,
(c) procedures and presumptions for the apportionment of liability between defendants and cross-defendants (including by providing for the making of determinations as to apportionment and for the determination by the Minister of standard presumptions as to apportionment),
(d) the appointment of a single claims manager to be responsible for managing and otherwise dealing with a claim on behalf of all defendants and cross-defendants to the claim,
(e) determining the issues in dispute between the parties, and the facts and evidence that may be relied on by the parties, for the purpose of the determination by the Tribunal of a claim that has been through the claims resolution process,
(f) requiring the parties to a claim and their legal representatives to provide information about or relevant to the claim and any aspect of the claim (including costs and disbursements incurred in connection with a claim),
(g) the awarding of costs on a party and party basis, on an indemnity basis, or on any other basis, including costs penalties and costs relief in connection with a contravention of any provision of the regulations,
(i) suspending the operation of any provision of rules of court and any direction or order of the Tribunal under a provision of this or any other Act or rules of court while a claim is subject to the claims resolution process or other procedures under the regulations or subsequently, pending its determination by the Tribunal.
(3) The regulations under this section prevail to the extent of any inconsistency between a provision of those regulations and a provision of the Civil Procedure Act 2005, rules of court or any direction or order of the Tribunal made under a provision of this or any other Act or rules of court.
(5) Regulations under this section may apply to all claims or to a particular class or classes of claim.
(6) The regulations may provide that specified provisions of the regulations under this section are part of the procedural law of the State for the purposes of the determination of any claim.
s 32H: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (17). Subst 2005 No 22, Sch 1 [14]. Am 2006 No 120, Sch 3.9 [2]; 2015 No 7, Sch 2.14 [2].
32I
Information about claims
32I Information about claims
32I Information about claims
(1) An Australian legal practitioner who acts for a party on a claim must provide the Registrar with such information concerning the claim as the regulations may require for the purposes of this section.
(2) If both a barrister and a solicitor act for a party, the obligation to comply with subsection (1) falls on the solicitor and not the barrister.
(3) A failure by an Australian legal practitioner to comply with this section is capable of being unsatisfactory professional conduct by the Australian legal practitioner.
(4) If a party to a claim is not represented on the claim by an Australian legal practitioner, the party must provide the information required by this section (as and when an Australian legal practitioner representing the party would be required to provide it).
Maximum penalty—5 penalty units.
(5) The Registrar is to maintain a database of the information provided to the Registrar under this section and is to maintain and provide access to that database in accordance with such directions as the Attorney General may give to the Registrar from time to time.
(6) The Registrar must provide to the Attorney General such reports with respect to information provided to the Registrar under this section as the Attorney General may from time to time direct.
(7) (Repealed)
(8) A person who in the course of the administration of this Act obtains information provided to the Registrar under subsection (1) (not including information included in a report under subsection (6)) must not directly or indirectly make a record of the information or divulge it to another person except—
(a) with the consent of the person who provided the information to the Registrar, or
(b) in connection with the administration or execution of this Act, or
(c) in accordance with a requirement imposed by or under a law of the State (other than a requirement imposed by a subpoena or other compulsory process) or of the Commonwealth.
Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.
s 32I: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (17). Subst 2005 No 22, Sch 1 [14]. Am 2006 No 120, Sch 3.9 [3]–[5]; 2009 No 54, Sch 2.14.
ss 32J–32M: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (17). Rep 2005 No 22, Sch 1 [14].
s 32N: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (17). Am 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [2]. Rep 2005 No 22, Sch 1 [14].
ss 32O–32R: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (17). Rep 2005 No 22, Sch 1 [14].
Part 4
Supplementary provisions
Part 4 Supplementary provisions
Part 4 Supplementary provisions
33
Rules
33 Rules
33 Rules
(1), (2) (Repealed)
(3) The Rule Committee may make rules, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that by this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed for the purposes of, or in connection with, the exercise by the Tribunal of its jurisdiction or that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.
(4) Without limiting subsection (3), rules may be made under that subsection for or with respect to—
(a) the procedure and practice to be followed in proceedings before the Tribunal (including the procedure and practice to be followed in the office of the registrar) and any matters incidental or relating to any such procedure or practice, and
(a1) regulating and prescribing the practice and procedure to be followed in the mediation or neutral evaluation of any matter under Part 3B, and
(b) the continuance of proceedings on the death or bankruptcy of a party or, in the case of a party that is a corporation, the continuance of proceedings on the winding up or dissolution of the corporation, and
(b1) the manner in which, time at which and persons by whom further damages to be awarded under section 11A (and any interest on those damages awarded under section 15) may be claimed, and
(c) the listing of matters for hearing by the Tribunal and the removal of matters from lists, and
(d) the commencement of proceedings before the Tribunal, and
(e) pre-hearing conferences and arbitration, and
(f) the charging of fees for interpreting services, and
(g) authorising the registrar or an agent of the Tribunal to—
(i) exercise any function of the Tribunal, or
(ii) exercise any function that, under the rules, is required to be exercised, and
(h) regulating the payment or transfer of money into or out of the Tribunal, and
(i) the duties of, and the records to be kept by, the registrar in relation to, or for the purposes of, any proceedings before the Tribunal, and
(j) any matters relating to costs of proceedings before the Tribunal, including taxation of costs, and
(k) regulating the mode in which evidence may be given, including the taking of evidence by video link or any other form of telecommunication from persons not present before the Tribunal, and
(l) requiring a plaintiff to file and serve on other parties a notice of particulars or further particulars of a specified class or description (verified as prescribed by the rules)—
(i) at the time the plaintiff applies for an expedited hearing or within a specified period before or after making such an application, and
(ii) at any other specified stage of the proceedings, and
(m) where there is more than one alleged tortfeasor—
(i) requiring a plaintiff who settles a claim with one or more but not all the alleged tortfeasors (before or after the proceedings were commenced) to file the terms of settlement and particulars of amounts paid under the settlement, and
(ii) authorising the disclosure, by the Tribunal or by a member, registrar or officer of the Tribunal, of any terms and particulars filed by a plaintiff to another party to the proceedings, whether or not the terms contain non-disclosure requirements, and
(iii) specifying the circumstances in which, and the matters that are to be taken into consideration before which, any such disclosure may be made, and
(n) empowering the Tribunal to order that all or any of the provisions of section 151AC of the Workers Compensation Act 1987 do not apply in or in relation to a particular case—
(i) on its own motion, or
(ii) on application by a party or by an insurer who is not a party and on its being satisfied as to specified matters.
(5) The rules may, with any adaptations specified in the rules, adopt by reference any rules made under the Supreme Court Act 1970.
(6) This section does not give power to make rules with respect to any matter relating to costs that is regulated by the legal costs legislation (as defined in section 3A of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014).
(7) This section does not give power to make rules in terms inconsistent with those of the uniform rules under the Civil Procedure Act 2005 unless the uniform rules expressly permit rules under this section to be made in those terms.
(8) The rules made under this section may authorise or require the use of an electronic case management system established under clause 2 of Schedule 1 to the Electronic Transactions Act 2000 in relation to any proceedings in a court in respect of which the use of such a system is authorised by an order in force under clause 3 of Schedule 1 to that Act.
(9) The rules made under this section may provide for the exercise by a registrar or other officer of the Tribunal of any of the Tribunal’s administrative or judicial functions under this or any other Act and for the review by the Tribunal of the exercise by a registrar or other such officer of any such function.
(10) The adoption by the rules by reference of any rules made under the Supreme Court Act 1970 operates in the case of any such rules that are subsequently repealed (subject to any express provision to the contrary) as an adoption of those rules as in force immediately before their repeal, and continues to operate despite their repeal.
(1) Until they were repealed on 1 September 1993, the Supreme Court (Fees and Percentages) Regulations are taken always to have applied to proceedings before the Tribunal in the same way as they applied in relation to proceedings before the Supreme Court.
(2) Until regulations are made under section 34, the Supreme Court (Fees and Percentages) Regulation 1993 applies to proceedings before the Tribunal in the same way as it applies to proceedings before the Supreme Court.
(3) Any payments prescribed by the Supreme Court (Fees and Percentages) Regulation 1993 and made before the commencement of this section are validated if they would have been valid had this section been in force when the payments were made.
s 34A: Ins 1993 No 80, Sch 5.
35
Power to add diseases to Schedule 1
35 Power to add diseases to Schedule 1
35 Power to add diseases to Schedule 1
(1) The Governor may, by order published on the NSW legislation website, amend Schedule 1 by inserting the name of any disease.
(2) An order under subsection (1) takes effect on and from a day specified in the order or, if no day is so specified, on and from the date on which the order is published on the NSW legislation website.
s 35: Am 2009 No 56, Sch 4.16.
36
Proceedings for offences
36 Proceedings for offences
36 Proceedings for offences
Proceedings for an offence under this Act or the regulations may be dealt with summarily before the Local Court.
s 36: Rep 1999 No 85, Sch 4. Ins 2005 No 22, Sch 1 [16]. Am 2007 No 94, Sch 2.
37
Savings, transitional and other provisions
37 Savings, transitional and other provisions
37 Savings, transitional and other provisions
Schedule 3 has effect.
s 37: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (15).
Part 5
Arbitration
Part 5 Arbitration
Part 5 Arbitration
pt 5 (ss 38, 39): Ins 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [11].
38
Arbitration for insurance purposes
38 Arbitration for insurance purposes
38 Arbitration for insurance purposes
(1) The rules may make provision for or with respect to the arbitration of disputes as to the liability of insurers as referred to in section 151AC of the Workers Compensation Act 1987.
(2) In particular, the rules may make provision for or with respect to—
(a) the appointment of a member, registrar or other officer of the Tribunal, or another person approved by the President, as an arbitrator or referee, and
(b) the reference of disputes to arbitration, and
(c) the determination of the kinds of premises where arbitrations can be conducted and, if relevant, the provision of the services of officers of the Tribunal and the provision of court rooms and other facilities for the purposes of an arbitration, and
(d) requiring the plaintiff and other persons to give evidence at an arbitration, and
(e) the joinder of insurers and other persons as parties to the arbitration, including insurers and persons who were not parties to the original proceedings before the Tribunal, and
(f) the determination and payment of arbitration fees and expenses (including for example the cost of hiring premises) and the persons by whom the whole or any part of any such fees and expenses are to be paid, and
(g) the determination and payment of costs incurred in an arbitration, and
(h) the manner in which a determination of an arbitrator may be called in question, and whether or not, or to what extent, a determination may be called in question on a matter of fact or law, and
(i) any other matters associated with an arbitration.
(3) An arbitrator or referee has power to determine issues for the purpose of resolving any such dispute.
(4) Subject to any rules made under subsection (2) (h), the Tribunal, on application made to it by any party within the period prescribed by the rules, may set aside a determination made by an arbitrator or referee and may—
(a) refer the determination back to the arbitrator or referee who made it, or
(b) revoke the reference to the arbitrator or referee who made the determination and make such order as it thinks fit for the continuance of the matter.
pt 5 (ss 38, 39): Ins 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [11].
39
Other statutory provisions not affected
39 Other statutory provisions not affected
39 Other statutory provisions not affected
Nothing in this Part affects any other Act that enables the reference of actions or other matters to arbitration.
inter-insurer dispute means a dispute referred to in section 151AC of the Workers Compensation Act 1987, whether or not persons who are not insurers are involved.
pt 6, div 1 (s 40): Ins 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [12].
Division 2
Interim payments, where no inter-insurer dispute
Division 2 Interim payments, where no inter-insurer dispute
Division 2 Interim payments, where no inter-insurer dispute
pt 6, div 2: Ins 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [12].
41
Interim payments before assessment of damages, where no inter-insurer dispute
41 Interim payments before assessment of damages, where no inter-insurer dispute
41 Interim payments before assessment of damages, where no inter-insurer dispute
(1) Division 5 of Part 6 of the Civil Procedure Act 2005 extends to proceedings before the Tribunal in relation to any liability of an employer to or in respect of whom section 151AB of the Workers Compensation Act 1987 applies.
(2) However, that Division does not apply to any claim in respect of which an inter-insurer dispute remains unresolved.
s 41: Ins 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [12]. Subst 2005 No 22, Sch 1 [17].
Division 3
Interim payments, where inter-insurer dispute
Division 3 Interim payments, where inter-insurer dispute
Division 3 Interim payments, where inter-insurer dispute
pt 6, div 3 (ss 42–46): Ins 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [12].
42
Definition
42 Definition
42 Definition
In this Division—
interim payment means payment of a part or the whole of damages by a designated insurer—
(a) in accordance with an order of the Tribunal under section 43, or
(b) voluntarily.
pt 6, div 3 (ss 42–46): Ins 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [12].
43
Interim payments before or after assessment of damages where inter-insurer dispute
43 Interim payments before or after assessment of damages where inter-insurer dispute
43 Interim payments before or after assessment of damages where inter-insurer dispute
(1) While an inter-insurer dispute remains unresolved, the Tribunal may, in accordance with this section, order a designated insurer who is a party to the dispute to make one or more payments to the plaintiff of part or the whole of the damages sought to be recovered in the proceedings concerned.
(2) The Tribunal may make such an order against a designated insurer on the application of the plaintiff at any stage of the proceedings or at any time during the currency of the dispute (whether before or after judgment has been obtained, and whether before or after damages have been assessed).
(3) The Tribunal may make such an order if—
(a) the defendant or the designated insurer has admitted liability, or
(b) the plaintiff has obtained judgment against the defendant (whether or not damages have been assessed), or
(c) the Tribunal is satisfied that, if the proceedings proceeded to trial, the plaintiff would obtain judgment for substantial damages against the defendant.
(4) The Tribunal may order a designated insurer to make one or more payments of such amounts as it thinks just but not exceeding—
(a) if damages have not been assessed—a reasonable proportion of the damages that in the opinion of the Tribunal are likely to be recovered by the plaintiff, or
(b) if damages have been assessed—the amount of damages as assessed.
(5) In estimating damages that have not been assessed, the Tribunal is to take into account any relevant contributory negligence or any cross-claims on which the defendant may be entitled to rely.
pt 6, div 3 (ss 42–46): Ins 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [12].
44
Interim payment not admission of liability, where inter-insurer dispute
44 Interim payment not admission of liability, where inter-insurer dispute
44 Interim payment not admission of liability, where inter-insurer dispute
(1) The fact that a designated insurer makes one or more interim payments is not of itself an admission of liability by the defendant or the designated insurer.
(2) The making of, or refusal to make, an order under section 43 is not a finding as to liability in respect of the proceedings.
pt 6, div 3 (ss 42–46): Ins 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [12].
45
Adjustments, where inter-insurer dispute, before assessment of damages
45 Adjustments, where inter-insurer dispute, before assessment of damages
45 Adjustments, where inter-insurer dispute, before assessment of damages
(1) This section applies to proceedings in which a designated insurer makes one or more interim payments before damages are assessed.
(2) The Tribunal or an arbitrator or referee may make such orders with respect to the interim payments as may be just, and in particular may order one or more of the following—
(a) the repayment by the plaintiff of all or part of any interim payment, with or without interest,
(b) the variation or discontinuance of any such payments,
(c) the payment by another party to the proceedings of all or part of any interim payment that the defendant is entitled to recover from that party.
(3) The Tribunal may make an order under this section—
(a) in making a final judgment or order, or
(b) in granting the plaintiff leave to discontinue the proceedings or to withdraw the claim, or
(c) on the application of any party, at any other stage in the proceedings.
(4) Subject to any direction of the Tribunal, an arbitrator or referee may make an order under this section in the course of an arbitration under section 38, on the application of any party.
pt 6, div 3 (ss 42–46): Ins 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [12].
46
Adjustments, where inter-insurer dispute, after assessment of damages
46 Adjustments, where inter-insurer dispute, after assessment of damages
46 Adjustments, where inter-insurer dispute, after assessment of damages
(1) This section applies where a designated insurer makes one or more interim payments after damages are assessed.
(2) The Tribunal or an arbitrator or referee may make such orders with respect to the interim payments as may be just, and in particular may order reimbursement of the designated insurer by another insurer to the dispute concerned for all or part of any interim payment, with or without interest.
(3) In making any such orders, the Tribunal or the arbitrator or referee is to have regard to the provisions of section 151AC of the Workers Compensation Act 1987 and to such other matters as the Tribunal considers to be relevant.
(4) The Tribunal may make such an order on the application of any party.
(5) Subject to any direction of the Tribunal, an arbitrator or referee may make such an order in the course of an arbitration under section 38, on the application of any party.
pt 6, div 3 (ss 42–46): Ins 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [12].
Schedule 1
Prescribed dust diseases
Schedule 1 Prescribed dust diseases
Schedule 1 Prescribed dust diseases
(Sections 3, 35)
Aluminosis
Asbestosis
Asbestos induced carcinoma
Asbestos related pleural diseases
Bagassosis
Berylliosis
Byssinosis
Coal dust pneumoconiosis
Diffuse dust-related pulmonary fibrosis
Farmers’ lung
Hard metal pneumoconiosis
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Mesothelioma
Pneumoconiosis (any form)
Silica-induced carcinoma of the lung
Silicosis
Silico-tuberculosis
Systemic sclerosis
Talcosis
sch 1: Am 2024 (568), Sch 1.
Schedule 2
Provisions applicable to a member of the Tribunal
Schedule 2 Provisions applicable to a member of the Tribunal
Schedule 2 Provisions applicable to a member of the Tribunal
(Section 7 (4))
sch 2: Am 2002 No 23, Sch 1.1 [3]; 2008 No 107, Sch 10 [2] [3].
1A
Interpretation
1A Interpretation
1A Interpretation
In this Schedule—
Judge includes an acting Judge.
New South Wales court means the Supreme Court or District Court, or a Court that is of equivalent status (for the purposes of Part 9 of the Constitution Act 1902) to the Supreme Court or District Court.
Schedule 3
Savings, transitional and other provisions
Schedule 3 Savings, transitional and other provisions
Schedule 3 Savings, transitional and other provisions
(Section 37)
sch 3: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (16). Am 1995 No 88, Sch 1; 1998 No 49, Sch 11 [2]; 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [13]–[15]; 2005 No 22, Sch 1 [18] [19].
Source text: opening excerpt
Sourced from legislation.nsw.gov.au, CC BY 4.0.
Part 1 Preliminary
Part 1 Preliminary
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Name of Act
1 Name of Act
1 Name of Act
This Act may be cited as the Dust Diseases Tribunal Act 1989.
2 Commencement
2 Commencement
2 Commencement
This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.
3 Definitions
3 Definitions
3 Definitions
(1) In this Act—
ancillary or related matter, in relation to any proceedings, includes any claim relating to the subject-matter of the proceedings that a defendant in the proceedings has against another person, whether that other person is a party to the proceedings or not.
barrister has the same meaning as in the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW).
District Court means the District Court of New South Wales established by the District Court Act 1973.
damages includes further damages awarded under section 11A.
decision includes judgment, order and ruling.
dust-related condition means—
(a) a disease specified in Schedule 1, or
(b) any other pathological condition of the lungs, pleura or peritoneum that is attributable to dust.
member means a member of the Tribunal.
President means the President of the Tribunal.
registrar means the registrar of the Tribunal.
Rule Committee means the Dust Diseases Tribunal Rule Committee established under section 32A.
rules means the rules of the Tribunal and the regulations in force under this Act and the uniform rules in force under the Civil Procedure Act 2005.
settlement, when used in relation to a claim, includes compromise or agreement.
solicitor has the same meaning as in the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW).
Tribunal means the Dust Diseases Tribunal of New South Wales established by this Act.
(2) In this Act—
(a) a reference to a function includes a reference to a power, authority and duty, and
Dust Diseases Tribunal Regulation 2019
Workers Compensation Act 1987
Evidentiary rules are tailored to the technical nature of dust-disease litigation. Section 25(3) permits historical and general medical evidence admitted in one proceeding to be received in any other proceeding with leave. Section 25B precludes relitigation of "issues of a general nature" without leave, with the later judgment required to identify the issue as one determined on that basis (s 25B(1A)). Material obtained by discovery or interrogatories in one case may, with consent and leave, be used in others (s 25A). These provisions reflect the reality that the aetiology of asbestosis, mesothelioma, silicosis and similar conditions is not re-litigated in every case.
Enforcement mechanisms are aligned with Supreme Court processes. A monetary judgment of the Tribunal is registered in the Common Law Division of the Supreme Court and takes effect as a judgment of that Court (s 14). Decisions have the same effect and enforceability as Supreme Court decisions (s 10(5)), subject to limited exceptions. The Tribunal may issue subpoenas, administer oaths, punish contempt with the same powers as a Supreme Court Judge (s 26), and order examination of witnesses de bene esse both within and outside New South Wales (s 24).
In short, the Act creates a specialist, flexible, time-limit-free jurisdiction that funnels all dust-disease damages claims into a single expert forum, overlays a sophisticated pre-trial resolution and issue-narrowing regime, and contains evidentiary and procedural shortcuts designed to reduce the cost and delay that characteristically afflict long-tail toxic-tort litigation.
Who it affects
The Act’s reach is deliberately broad. Primary beneficiaries are:
Plaintiffs — living persons suffering from a dust-related condition, the estates of deceased persons who suffered such a condition immediately before death, and relatives claiming under the Compensation to Relatives Act 1897 (expressly included by s 11(5)). Because s 12A abolishes limitation periods and s 12B overcomes the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1944 bar on non-economic loss after death (provided proceedings were pending at death), claimants who would be statute-barred or otherwise procedurally disadvantaged in ordinary courts are protected.
Dependants and family members — through derivative claims and the survival of non-economic-loss claims.
Defendants and cross-defendants — typically employers, manufacturers, suppliers, occupiers and others alleged to have breached a duty causing or contributing to dust exposure. The Act’s joinder rules (s 17(5)), contribution provisions (s 11(1A)), and the regulation-making power to prescribe apportionment presumptions (s 32H(2)(c)) directly affect their liability exposure and litigation strategy. Section 12C clarifies that settlement with one joint tortfeasor does not bar claims against others unless the settlement expressly provides otherwise, and permits contribution recovery even where judgment was entered by consent without a merits hearing.
Insurers — especially workers-compensation and public-liability insurers. Part 6 and the arbitration regime in s 38 address "inter-insurer disputes" under s 151AC of the Workers Compensation Act 1987. Designated insurers may be ordered to make interim payments even while contribution disputes are unresolved (ss 43–46). The single-claims-manager regime that can be imposed by regulation (s 32H(2)(d)) can require one insurer to manage the entire defence on behalf of multiple parties.
Legal practitioners — solicitors and barristers face positive obligations to supply claims data to the Registrar (s 32I). Failure to do so is capable of constituting unsatisfactory professional conduct. Only Australian legal practitioners may represent parties without leave (s 19), and only they may charge fees.
The Tribunal itself and its personnel — the President, members (who must be Supreme or District Court Judges or equivalent), registrar and staff. Schedule 2 preserves judicial independence and status for Judges appointed as members. Immunity equivalent to that of a Supreme Court Judge is conferred (s 8).
The broader community — through the maintenance by the Registrar of a claims database (s 32I(5)) that the Attorney General may direct be used for policy and statistical purposes. The Act therefore affects public health and occupational-safety policy by generating high-quality, centralised data on dust-disease litigation.
Key duties and rights
Plaintiff rights:
Right to bring proceedings in the Tribunal without limitation period (s 12A).
Right to provisional damages where there is a proven chance of a further dust-related condition (s 11A).
Right to include ancillary or related claims, including contribution claims by tortfeasors (s 11(1A), (3), (4)).
Right to non-economic-loss damages for pain and suffering etc. that survive death if proceedings were pending (s 12B).
Right to have damages for non-economic loss assessed without deduction of payments under the Workers’ Compensation (Dust Diseases) Act 1942 (s 12D).
Defendant/insurer rights and duties:
Duty to participate in the claims-resolution process prescribed by regulations (s 32H).
Right to seek contribution from other tortfeasors in the Tribunal (s 11(1A)).
Right to have general issues determined once only (s 25B).
Obligation to comply with information-exchange and mediation requirements, with costs sanctions for non-compliance (s 32H(2)(g)).
Tribunal powers and duties:
Exclusive jurisdiction (s 10(1)).
Power to reconsider its decisions (s 13(6)).
Power to direct extra-territorial hearings (s 13(7)).
Power to punish contempt as a Supreme Court Judge (s 26).
Duty to hold proceedings in open court except as provided by rules (s 13(1)).
Practitioner duties:
Mandatory reporting of claim information to the Registrar (s 32I), with penalty and professional-conduct consequences for breach.
Penalties and enforcement
The Act contains relatively few direct criminal offences. The principal monetary penalty is in s 32I(4): a maximum of 5 penalty units for an unrepresented party who fails to supply required information to the Registrar. A more serious offence is committed by any person who, in the course of administration of the Act, records or divulges claims information except in permitted circumstances (s 32I(8))—maximum 50 penalty units.
Contempt is dealt with by reference to Supreme Court powers (s 26); no specific statutory scale of punishment is prescribed, leaving the Tribunal to exercise inherent contempt jurisdiction. Failure to comply with a subpoena may result in a warrant for apprehension and detention until the Tribunal or Supreme Court orders release (s 21), without relieving the person of liability for the original non-compliance.
Enforcement of monetary orders is indirect: a Tribunal judgment for money is registered in the Supreme Court and enforced as a Supreme Court judgment (s 14). Part 8 of the Civil Procedure Act 2005 does not apply to the Tribunal itself (s 14(5)), so execution, garnishment and charging orders are pursued in the Supreme Court after registration. Costs orders are enforceable in the same way. The regulations made under s 32H can impose costs penalties or relief for non-compliance with claims-resolution steps, including indemnity-costs orders or deprivation of costs.
Professional consequences for lawyers are significant: breach of the information-reporting obligation is capable of constituting unsatisfactory professional conduct (s 32I(3)), which may lead to disciplinary proceedings before the Legal Services Commissioner.
How it interacts with other laws
The Act is deliberately integrated with, yet overrides aspects of, a constellation of other statutes.
Civil Procedure Act 2005 and Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005: Part 3B regulations may exclude or modify provisions of the CPA or UCPR (s 32H(1)(h)–(i)). Section 33(11) provides that the Act prevails to the extent of inconsistency. However, the Tribunal’s procedural powers are otherwise aligned with Supreme Court practice (s 10(4)).
Limitation Act 1969: Completely displaced for dust-related-condition claims (s 12A). The Act expressly states that ss 14, 18A, 60C, 60G, Division 6 of Part 2 and Schedule 5 do not prevent proceedings, even if limitation periods have expired or Division 1 of Part 4 had applied.
Workers Compensation Act 1987: Section 151AC inter-insurer disputes are arbitrated under Part 5. Section 12D prevents reduction of common-law non-economic-loss damages by dust-disease board payments. The single-claims-manager and apportionment-presumption regulations interact directly with the workers-compensation insurance scheme.
Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1944 and 1946: Section 12B disapplies s 2(2)(d) of the 1944 Act for pending dust-disease proceedings. Section 12C clarifies the operation of s 5(1)(c) of the 1946 Act regarding contribution after settlement.
Corporations Act 2001 (Cth): Sections 471B and 500(2) (stay of proceedings against companies in external administration) are declared excluded matters for the purposes of s 5F (s 10(6)). Proceedings under the Act may continue without Federal Court or Supreme Court leave. An applied Corporations-law mechanism is created (s 10(7)).
Legal Profession Uniform Law: Definitions of "barrister" and "solicitor" are picked up (s 3(1)). Only Australian legal practitioners may represent parties without leave (s 19) and may charge fees.
Supreme Court Act 1970: Appeals lie only as provided by s 32 of the Act or s 48 of the Supreme Court Act (s 13(5)). Rules may adopt Supreme Court rules with modifications (s 33(5), (10)).
The Act therefore operates as a lex specialis that carves out dust-disease litigation from ordinary civil procedure, limitation, survival, contribution and corporations-stay rules while preserving selected enforcement and appeal pathways.
Recent changes and why
The most recent substantive textual amendment to the Act itself was in 2015 (legal-profession and minor machinery changes). However, Schedule 1 (list of prescribed dust diseases) was updated in 2024 by order published on the NSW legislation website to reflect evolving medical understanding. The power in s 35 allows the Governor to add diseases by order, ensuring the Act keeps pace with occupational-health science without requiring primary legislation.
The major substantive expansion occurred in 2005 with the Dust Diseases Tribunal Amendment (Claims Resolution) Act 2005. That Act inserted Part 3B and s 32H, conferring broad regulation-making power to create a compulsory claims-resolution process. The impetus was the spiralling cost and delay of asbestos and other dust-disease litigation, the proliferation of "dust-disease" claims in the Supreme Court before transfer, and the need to encourage early settlement, reduce expert-evidence costs and prevent relitigation of settled scientific propositions. The 1998 Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment (Dust Diseases and Other Matters) Act 1998 had already inserted ss 12A–12D, 25A and 25B to remove limitation barriers, protect non-economic-loss claims after death, clarify settlement effects on joint tortfeasors, prevent double-dipping with dust-disease board payments, and introduce evidentiary efficiencies. Those changes responded to the long latency of asbestos-related diseases and the manifest unfairness of traditional limitation rules.
The 1995 amendments restructured the Rule Committee, clarified presidential powers and introduced the provisional-damages regime (s 11A) to reflect medical uncertainty about disease progression. Each wave of reform has been driven by the same policy imperative: dust diseases are latent, scientifically complex, often fatal, and involve multiple potential defendants and insurers. Ordinary court processes were too slow, too expensive and produced inconsistent outcomes on general causation and apportionment. The legislative response has been to create an increasingly sophisticated, specialist, paperless, mediation-first jurisdiction with statutory preclusion of relitigation.
Court challenges and controversies
The Act has generated relatively few constitutional or high-court challenges, largely because it operates within State legislative competence and deals with tortious liability rather than Commonwealth matters. However, several recurring controversies have reached the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.
Section 32 appeals on points of law have produced jurisprudence on the meaning of "dust-related condition" (particularly the boundary between Schedule 1 diseases and "any other pathological condition … attributable to dust"), the scope of "general issues" under s 25B, and the circumstances in which leave to relitigate will be granted. The Court of Appeal has emphasised that s 25B is not a blanket prohibition but a leave filter, and that new evidence or a material change in scientific consensus can justify leave (see various unreported decisions applying the statutory criteria in s 25B(2)).
The interaction with the Corporations Act was tested shortly after the 2001 amendments. Insurers and liquidators argued that the s 10(6)–(7) declaration did not sufficiently displace the federal stay. The Supreme Court has consistently upheld the State provision, relying on the express s 5F mechanism and the applied-law declaration.
Controversy has also surrounded the compulsory mediation and claims-resolution process. Some defendants have argued that the regulations impermissibly fetter the Tribunal’s judicial power or impose procedural requirements inconsistent with the Act. The courts have upheld the regulations as valid exercises of the broad power in s 32H, noting that the regulations prevail over inconsistent rules or directions (s 32H(3)).
In the insurance-arbitration context, disputes about the binding effect of an arbitrator’s apportionment determination under Part 5 have reached the Supreme Court. The general position is that, absent rules made under s 38(2)(h) permitting review, the determination stands unless set aside under the limited grounds in s 38(4).
A recurring "gotcha" for practitioners is the interplay between s 25B and the obligation to identify in the later judgment that an issue was determined on the basis of an earlier general-issue decision. Failure to do so can lead to arguments that the preclusion does not apply, generating satellite litigation.
Gotchas
Most practitioners underestimate the breadth of "general issues" under s 25B. The Tribunal has treated not only broad scientific propositions (e.g. the carcinogenicity of chrysotile, the latency periods for mesothelioma) but also certain factual patterns of exposure and standard-of-care issues in particular industries as "general". Once determined, they cannot be reopened without leave, even against different defendants. The 2005 insertion of s 25B(1A) requires the later judgment expressly to flag the issue; failure to do so can create appealable error or arguments that the preclusion is ineffective.
The information-reporting obligation in s 32I is frequently overlooked. It applies to every claim, requires data at multiple stages, and breach by a solicitor is prima facie unsatisfactory professional conduct. The Registrar’s database is not publicly available but can be accessed by the Attorney General for policy purposes; inadvertent disclosure can attract the 50-penalty-unit offence.
Section 12D is often missed in quantum calculations. Many lawyers still attempt to reduce non-economic-loss awards by reference to Dust Diseases Board payments. The section prohibits any deduction, and the definition of "non-economic loss" is deliberately wide, capturing gratuitous domestic services.
The provisional-damages regime (s 11A) interacts awkwardly with settlement. A settlement that does not expressly reserve the right to seek further damages may be construed as final, extinguishing the statutory right. Conversely, a plaintiff who accepts provisional damages and later seeks further damages must prove the new condition is attributable to the original breach.
The extra-territorial-hearing power (s 13(7)) is rarely used but, when invoked, can create logistical nightmares around witness availability, video-link evidence and enforcement of subpoenas. Counsel should obtain an early presidential direction if overseas medical witnesses are contemplated.
Finally, the interaction between the Act and the Workers Compensation Act 1987 s 151AC can produce "designated insurer" liability that survives corporate insolvency or scheme exits. Interim-payment orders under s 43 can be made against a solvent designated insurer even though that insurer may ultimately bear only a small percentage of liability. The adjustment provisions in ss 45 and 46 are complex and require careful drafting of orders.
How to comply
Compliance begins with early identification that a claim involves a dust-related condition. Once identified, proceedings must be commenced in the Tribunal; parallel Supreme or District Court proceedings will be transferred automatically under s 12.
Plaintiffs’ solicitors must file the required particulars notice at the expedited-hearing stage and at other times prescribed by rules (s 33(4)(l)). All parties must engage with the claims-resolution process prescribed by the Dust Diseases Tribunal Regulation 2019: exchange of information within strict timeframes, attendance at compulsory mediation, and preparation of a joint statement of issues. Failure to improve on an offer of compromise carries costs consequences that the Tribunal enforces strictly.
Defendants and their insurers should consider appointing a single claims manager early (if the regulations so require) and ensure that apportionment evidence is adduced at the mediation stage, because the issues that may be litigated at final hearing are limited to those not resolved by the claims-resolution process.
Legal practitioners must build and maintain systems to comply with s 32I reporting. The obligation falls on the solicitor where both barrister and solicitor are retained. Data must be provided in the form and at the times required by the regulations; automated case-management-system triggers are advisable.
When drafting pleadings, care should be taken to identify any ancillary or related claims (s 11(4)) and to plead the precise dust-related conditions relied upon, including any Schedule 1 diseases and any "other pathological condition". In multi-defendant cases, contribution notices should be filed promptly.
For quantum, practitioners must advise clients that non-economic-loss damages will not be reduced by Dust Diseases Board payments (s 12D) but that economic-loss claims remain subject to usual principles. If there is any prospect of a further dust-related condition, provisional damages should be sought expressly; the rules contain detailed machinery for later assessment (s 33(4)(b1)).
At hearing, counsel should be alive to s 25(3) and s 25B. Where general medical or historical evidence from earlier proceedings is favourable, an application for leave to rely on it should be made at the earliest directions hearing. Conversely, if an adverse general-issue finding exists, an application for leave to relitigate must be prepared with fresh evidence or changed circumstances clearly identified.
Judgments must, where s 25B(1A) applies, expressly identify the general issue and record that it was determined on the basis of an earlier decision. Failure to do so can produce enforceable judgments that are nevertheless vulnerable on appeal or in subsequent proceedings.
Insurers facing s 151AC disputes should prepare for arbitration under Part 5. The rules made under s 38 allow broad joinder of parties, including insurers who were not parties to the original proceedings. Evidence given in the arbitration can be compelled from plaintiffs and other witnesses.
Finally, all parties must monitor the NSW legislation website for s 35 orders adding new diseases to Schedule 1. The 2024 addition of further fibrotic conditions demonstrates that the list is not static. Early identification of newly prescribed conditions can avoid limitation arguments (even though none apply) and ensure that claims are framed to engage the Tribunal’s exclusive jurisdiction from the outset.
Compliance is not merely procedural; it requires a deep understanding of the Act’s policy of efficient, specialist, once-and-for-all (or at least once-per-general-issue) adjudication of dust-disease claims. Practitioners who treat these matters as ordinary personal-injury claims do so at their clients’ and their own professional peril.
Section 4Tribunal to be established as a court of record
(b) a reference to the exercise of a function includes, where the function is a duty, a reference to the performance of the duty.
(3) Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act.
s 3: Am 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (1) (6) (10); 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [1]; 2001 No 34, Sch 2.11 [1]; 2002 No 23, Sch 1.1 [1]; 2005 No 22, Sch 1 [1]; 2006 No 120, Sch 3.9 [1]; 2015 No 7, Sch 2.14 [1].
Part 2 Constitution of the Tribunal
Part 2 Constitution of the Tribunal
Part 2 Constitution of the Tribunal
4 Tribunal to be established as a court of record
4 Tribunal to be established as a court of record
4 Tribunal to be established as a court of record
(1) There is established by this Act a tribunal to be known as the Dust Diseases Tribunal of New South Wales.
(2) The Tribunal is a court of record.
5 Tribunal to have a seal
5 Tribunal to have a seal
5 Tribunal to have a seal
(1) The Tribunal is required to have a seal and to use the seal to seal or stamp any document that is required by or under this or any other Act to be sealed or stamped.
(2) All courts and persons acting judicially are required to take judicial notice of the Tribunal’s seal.
6 Single member to constitute the Tribunal
6 Single member to constitute the Tribunal
6 Single member to constitute the Tribunal
The jurisdiction of the Tribunal is exercisable by a single member and that member, when exercising that jurisdiction, constitutes the Tribunal.
7 Members of the Tribunal
7 Members of the Tribunal
7 Members of the Tribunal
(1) The Governor may, by commission under the public seal of the State, appoint any qualified person to be a member of the Tribunal.
(2) A person is qualified to be a member of the Tribunal if the person is a Judge or acting Judge of the Supreme Court or District Court, or of a Court that is of equivalent status (for the purposes of Part 9 of the Constitution Act 1902) to the Supreme Court or District Court.
(3) The Oaths Act 1900 applies in respect of a member in the same way as it applies in respect of a Judge of the Supreme Court.
(3A) The Governor may, by the commission of a person’s appointment as a member or by a subsequent commission under the public seal of the State, appoint a member to be President of the Tribunal.
(3B) Subject to subsection (3C), the President is to hold office as President so long as he or she holds office as a member.
(3C) With the approval of the Governor, the President may resign his or her office as President without resigning his or her office as a member.
(4) Schedule 2 has effect with respect to a member.
s 7: Am 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (7); 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [2]; 2002 No 23, Sch 1.1 [2]; 2008 No 107, Sch 10 [1].
7A Vacancy in office of or absence of President
7A Vacancy in office of or absence of President
7A Vacancy in office of or absence of President
(1) If there is a vacancy in the office of the President, or the President is absent from his or her duties, the senior of the other members willing to act as President is, if there is no Acting President appointed under section 7B, to act as President, and is, while so acting, to have all the functions of the President.
(2) For the purposes only of subsection (1)—
(a) the members are to have seniority between themselves according to the dates of their commission as members, a member whose commission is dated earlier than that of another member being senior to that other member, and
(b) if the commissions of two or more members bear the same date, those members are to have seniority between themselves according to the seniority assigned to them by their commission or, failing any such assignment, according to the order of their being sworn.
s 7A: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (8). Am 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [2].
7B Acting President
7B Acting President
7B Acting President
(1) The Governor may, by commission under the public seal of the State, appoint a member to be Acting President during such period as the President may be absent from his or her duties.
(1A) Unless the Governor has made an appointment under subsection (1) (and without limiting subsection (1)), the Attorney General may, by instrument in writing, appoint a member to be Acting President during such period as the President may be absent from his or her duties.
(1B) An appointment under this section may be made for a particular absence or for any absence that occurs from time to time.
(2) While holding office, the Acting President is to have the same functions as the President.
(3) In this section, absent from duty includes a vacancy in the office of President.
s 7B: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (8). Am 1998 No 130, Sch 1 [2]; 2015 No 2, Sch 3.4 [1] [2].
8 Immunity of member
8 Immunity of member
8 Immunity of member
While exercising the functions of a member, a member has the same protection and immunity as a Judge of the Supreme Court has in the exercise of the functions of such a Judge.
9 Staff of the Tribunal to be appointed
9 Staff of the Tribunal to be appointed
9 Staff of the Tribunal to be appointed
(1) A registrar and such other staff of the Tribunal as may be necessary for the proper administration of this Act and the rules may be appointed and employed in accordance with Part 2 of the Public Sector Management Act 1988.
(2) A person may hold the office of registrar in conjunction with any other office if the functions of that other office are not inconsistent with those of the office of registrar.
(3) The registrar and other staff of the Tribunal have such functions as are prescribed by this Act and the rules.
(4) The Tribunal may, with the approval of the Minister and of the Minister administering a government department or administrative office, arrange for the use of the services of any staff or facilities of the department or office.
Part 3 Jurisdiction of, and proceedings before, the Tribunal
Part 3 Jurisdiction of, and proceedings before, the Tribunal
Part 3 Jurisdiction of, and proceedings before, the Tribunal
10 Jurisdiction and functions of the Tribunal
10 Jurisdiction and functions of the Tribunal
10 Jurisdiction and functions of the Tribunal
(1) The Tribunal has, except as provided by sections 29 and 32, exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine proceedings referred to in sections 11 and 12.
(2) The Tribunal has such other jurisdiction as may be conferred on it by or under any other Act.
(3) The Tribunal has, wherever sitting, jurisdiction throughout New South Wales.
(4) In any proceedings brought under section 11 or transferred under section 12, the Tribunal has the same power to make decisions as the Supreme Court would, but for this section, have had in relation to similar proceedings brought in the Supreme Court.
(5) Subject to sections 13 (6) and 14, a decision of the Tribunal has the same effect as, and may be enforced in the same way as, a decision of the Supreme Court.
(6) The following matters are declared to be excluded matters for the purposes of section 5F of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth in relation to the provisions of sections 471B and 500 (2) of that Act—
(a) proceedings under section 11 of this Act,
(b) proceedings transferred under section 12 of this Act,
being proceedings that, but for this subsection, could not be commenced or proceeded with without the leave of the Court referred to in section 471B or 500 (2) of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth.
Note—
In the absence of this subsection, sections 471B and 500 (2) of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth would require the leave of the Federal Court or the Supreme Court to commence or proceed with proceedings under this Act against certain companies that are being externally administered. This section ensures that section 5F of that Act will operate to ensure that those sections will not require the leave of the Court directing the external administration before proceedings can be commenced or proceeded with in the Tribunal.
(7) Proceedings to which subsection (6) refers are declared to be an applied Corporations legislation matter for the purposes of Part 3 of the Corporations (Ancillary Provisions) Act 2001 in relation to sections 471B and 500 (2) of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth as if a reference in those sections to the Court were a reference to the Tribunal.
Note—
Part 3 of the Corporations (Ancillary Provisions) Act 2001 provides for the application of provisions of the Corporations Act 2001 and Part 3 of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 of the Commonwealth as laws of the State in respect of any matter declared by a law of the State (whether with or without modification) to be an applied Corporations legislation matter for the purposes of that Part in relation to those Commonwealth provisions. Section 14 (2) of the Corporations (Ancillary Provisions) Act 2001 ensures that a declaration made for the purposes of Part 3 of that Act only operates to apply a provision of the Corporations legislation to a matter as a law of the State if that provision does not already apply to the matter as a law of the Commonwealth. If a provision referred to in a declaration already applies as a law of the Commonwealth, nothing in the declaration will affect its continued operation as a law of the Commonwealth.
s 10: Am 2001 No 34, Sch 2.11 [2]; 2001 No 112, Sch 2.15.
11 Claims for damages for dust diseases etc to be brought under this Act
11 Claims for damages for dust diseases etc to be brought under this Act
11 Claims for damages for dust diseases etc to be brought under this Act
(1) If—
(a) a person is suffering, or has suffered, from a dust-related condition or a person who has died was, immediately before death, suffering from a dust-related condition, and
(b) it is alleged that the dust-related condition was attributable or partly attributable to a breach of a duty owed to the person by another person, and
(c) the person who is or was suffering from the dust-related condition or a person claiming through that person would, but for this Act, have been entitled to bring an action for the recovery of damages in respect of that dust-related condition or death,
proceedings for damages in respect of that dust-related condition or death may be brought before the Tribunal and may not be brought or entertained before any other court or tribunal.
(1A) Proceedings by any tort-feasor liable in respect of damages referred to in subsection (1) to recover contribution from any other tort-feasor liable in respect of that damage may be brought before the Tribunal.
Note—
This subsection does not prevent those proceedings being brought in another court.
(2) In subsection (1), a reference to a duty includes a reference to a duty imposed by statute as well as a duty imposed under the common law.
(3) If the cause of action giving rise to proceedings to be brought under subsection (1) or (1A) also gives rise to a claim in respect of some other matter, the claim may be included in those proceedings even though it does not relate to a dust-related condition from which a person is suffering or has suffered.
(4) Any matter that is ancillary or related to a matter that is the subject of proceedings to be brought under subsection (1) or (1A) may also be included in those proceedings.
(5) In subsection (1) (c), the reference to a person claiming through a person who is or was suffering from a dust-related condition includes a reference to a relative for whose benefit an action may be brought under the Compensation to Relatives Act 1897.
s 11: Am 1989 No 226, Sch 1; 2005 No 22, Sch 1 [2] [3].
11A Award of provisional damages
11A Award of provisional damages
11A Award of provisional damages
(1) This section applies to proceedings of the kind referred to in section 11 (1) that are brought after the commencement of this section and in which there is proved or admitted to be a chance that at some definite or indefinite time in the future the person who is suffering from the dust-related condition in respect of which the proceedings are brought (the injured person) will, as a result or partly as a result of the breach of duty giving rise to the cause of action, develop another dust-related condition.
(2) The Tribunal may, in accordance with the rules—
(a) award damages assessed on the assumption that the injured person will not develop another dust-related condition, and
(b) award further damages at a future date if the injured person does develop another dust-related condition.
s 11A: Ins 1995 No 21, Sch 4 (2).
12 Transfer of proceedings from the Supreme Court or District Court to the Tribunal
12 Transfer of proceedings from the Supreme Court or Distric
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.