Motor Accidents (Liabilities and Compensation) Act 1973
16Special provisions as to unidentified vehicles, &c.
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16 Special provisions as to unidentified vehicles, &c.
(1) [Section 16 Subsection (1) amended by No. 90 of 1999, Sched. 1, Applied:14 Aug 2000] *[Section 16 Subsection (1) amended by No. 122 of 1977, s. 7 ]*Where it is alleged that some person has, as an owner or user of a motor vehicle, incurred a liability in respect of which he would be entitled to be indemnified by the Board under this Part but –
(a) the identity of the motor vehicle cannot be established; or
(b) that person has died or cannot, after reasonable inquiry and search, be found–
the like proceedings may be taken against the Board in respect of that liability, and the like judgment obtained against the Board, as could have been taken or had against that person.
(2) [Section 16 Subsection (2) amended by No. 49 of 1997, s. 10, Applied:01 Dec 1997] *[Section 16 Subsection (2) amended by No. 40 of 1974, s. 9 ]**[Section 16 Subsection (2) amended by No. 122 of 1977, s. 7 ]*No action lies against the Board under this section unless notice of intention to make a claim, together with a short statement of the grounds thereof, is given to the Board within the period of 3 months following the occurrence of the motor accident as a consequence of which the liability in respect of which the action is brought is alleged to have arisen or within such further time as the court may, on application made not later than 9 months after the occurrence of the motor accident, allow.
(2A) *[Section 16 Subsection (2A) inserted by No. 122 of 1977, s. 7 ]*Notwithstanding subsection (2) , an application referred to in that subsection may be made after the expiration of the period of 9 months referred to in that subsection if the court is satisfied that the granting of the application is just and reasonable in the circumstances.
(3) In an action under this section, the inquiry and search for the person by whom the liability is alleged to have been incurred may be proved orally or by the affidavit of the person who made the inquiry and search.