Certain Lloyd's Underwriters v. Cross

[2012] HCA 56
(2012) 248 CLR 378
(2012) 293 ALR 412

Certain Lloyd's Underwriters
v Cross

Court:
High Court of Australia

Judges: French CJ
Hayne J
Crennan J
Kiefel J
Bell J

Judgment date: 12 December 2012

ORDER

In each appeal:

1.
Appeal allowed.
2.
Set aside paras 4 and 5 of the order of the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of New South Wales made on 1 June 2011, and, in their place, order that the appeal to that court be dismissed.
3.
Appellants to pay the respondent's costs of the appeal to this court.

[1]
[2012] HCA 57.

[2]
How and why the appellants were joined in the actions need not be examined.

[3]
Section 8, Sch 2, item 2.2[2].

[4]
Section 198E.

[5]
Section 3.

[6]
Section 3.

[7]
Section 3.

[8]
Section 9(2)(a).

[9]
Section 9(2)(b).

[10]
Section 9(2)(c).

[11]
Section 9(2)(d).

[12]
Section 9(2)(e).

[13]
Section 9(2)(e).

[14]
Section 9(2)(a).

[15]
Section 9(2)(a).

[16]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136.

[17]
[2011] NSWCA 136 at [71].

[18]
[2011] NSWCA 136 at [49].

[19]
[2011] NSWCA 136 at [59]; see also at [1] per Hodgson JA, [79] per Sackville AJA.

[20]
Part 3.2 Div 9.

[21]
Section 737, Sch 9, cll 3 and 18.

[22]
[2011] NSWCA 136 at [2], [13]-[23].

[23]
[2011] NSWCA 136 at [23].

[24]
(2009) 239 CLR 27 at 46-47 [47]; [2009] HCA 41.

[25]
Roy Morgan Research Centre Pty Ltd v Cmr of State Revenue (Vic) (2001) 207 CLR 72 at 77 [9] per Gaudron, Gummow, Hayne and Callinan JJ, 89 [46] per Kirby J; [2001] HCA 49; Stevens v Kabushiki Kaisha Sony Computer Entertainment (2005) 224 CLR 193 at 206 [30] per Gleeson CJ, Gummow, Hayne and Heydon JJ, 240-241 [167]-[168] per Kirby J; [2005] HCA 58; Carr v Western Australia (2007) 232 CLR 138 at 143 [6] per Gleeson CJ; [2007] HCA 47; Director of Public Prosecutions (Vic) v Le (2007) 232 CLR 562 at 586 [85] per Kirby and Crennan JJ; [2007] HCA 52; Northern Territory v Collins (2008) 235 CLR 619 at 642 [99] per Crennan J; [2008] HCA 49.

[26]
Nominal Defendant v GLG Australia Pty Ltd (2006) 228 CLR 529 at 538 [22] per Gleeson CJ, Gummow, Hayne and Heydon JJ, 555-556 [82]-[84] per Kirby J; [2006] HCA 11. See also Combet v Commonwealth (2005) 224 CLR 494 at 567 [135] per Gummow, Hayne, Callinan and Heydon JJ; [2005] HCA 61; Northern Territory v Collins (2008) 235 CLR 619 at 642 [99] per Crennan J.

[27]
Hilder v Dexter [1902] AC 474 at 477-478 per Earl of Halsbury LC.

[28]
Commissioner for Railways (NSW) v Agalianos (1955) 92 CLR 390 at 397 per Dixon CJ; [1955] HCA 27, quoted with approval in Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 at 381 [69] per McHugh, Gummow, Kirby and Hayne JJ; [1998] HCA 28.

[29]
Heydon's Case (1584) 3 Co Rep 7a at 7b [76 ER 637 at 638].

[30]
(1998) 194 CLR 355 at 381 [69].

[31]
See Taylor v Public Service Board (NSW) (1976) 137 CLR 208 at 213 per Barwick CJ; [1976] HCA 36.

[32]
Cooper Brookes (Wollongong) Pty Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1981) 147 CLR 297 at 320 ; [1981] HCA 26; Project Blue Sky (1998) 194 CLR 355 at 381 [69].

[33]
Commissioner for Railways (NSW) v Agalianos (1955) 92 CLR 390 at 397 per Dixon CJ; Project Blue Sky (1998) 194 CLR 355 at 381 [69].

[34]
Lacey v A-G (Qld) (2011) 242 CLR 573 at 592 [44]; [2011] HCA 10.

[35]
Zheng v Cai (2009) 239 CLR 446 at 455 [28]; [2009] HCA 52; Momcilovic v R (2011) 85 ALJR 957 at 1009 [146(v)], 1028 [258], 1039 [315], 1040 [321]; 280 ALR 221 at 274, 299, 315-316; [2011] HCA 34.

[36]
Project Blue Sky (1998) 194 CLR 355 at 384 [78].

[37]
(1998) 194 CLR 355 at 384 [78].

[38]
For example, the presumption that, in the absence of unmistakable and unambiguous language, the legislature has not intended to interfere with basic rights, freedoms or immunities: Coco v R (1994) 179 CLR 427 at 437 ; [1994] HCA 15.

[39]
(2011) 242 CLR 573 at 592 [43].

[40]
See Palgo Holdings Pty Ltd v Gowans (2005) 221 CLR 249 at 262 [28]; [2005] HCA 28; Byrnes v Kendle (2011) 243 CLR 253 at 283 [97]; [2011] HCA 26.

[41]
Spigelman, "The intolerable wrestle: Developments in statutory interpretation", (2010) 84 Australian Law Journal 822 at 826.

[42]
(2012) 86 ALJR 217 at 224 [28]; 285 ALR 27 at 35; [2012] HCA 3. See also Miller v Miller (2011) 242 CLR 446 at 459 [29]; [2011] HCA 9.

[43]
CIC Insurance Ltd v Bankstown Football Club Ltd (1997) 187 CLR 384 at 408 ; [1997] HCA 2.

[44]
Section 3.

[45]
(1944) 69 CLR 523 at 531-532 per Latham CJ, 536 per Dixon J; [1944] HCA 39.

[46]
Producers' Co-Operative Distributing Society Ltd v Cmr of Taxation (NSW) (1947) 75 CLR 134 at 137 ; [1948] AC 210 at 213.

[47]
(1944) 69 CLR 523 at 536.

[48]
(1944) 69 CLR 523 at 531-532.

[49]
(1947) 75 CLR 134 at 137 ; [1948] AC 210 at 213.

[50]
(1947) 75 CLR 134 at 137 ; [1948] AC 210 at 213.

[51]
[2011] NSWCA 136 at [49].

[52]
[2011] NSWCA 136 at [41]-[48].

[53]
(2005) 65 NSWLR 155, referred to at [2011] NSWCA 136 at [39]-[40].

[54]
[2011] NSWCA 136 at [49].

[55]
Section 338 of the 2004 LP Act makes provision in substantially the same terms as s 198D of the 1987 LP Act.

[56]
Liability Act, s 11A(1).

[57]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [49] per Basten JA (Hodgson JA agreeing at [1]), [71] per Sackville AJA.

[58]
[2012] HCA 57.

[59]
2004 LP Act, Sch 9, cl 18(1).

[60]
Under s 338A of the 2004 LP Act, there is provision for the maximum costs fixed under Div 9 of Pt 3.2 to be increased in the case of certain claims heard in the District Court. No equivalent provision was made under Div 5B of Pt 11 of the 1987 LP Act.

[61]
Liability Act, s 2.

[62]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [41].

[63]
New South Wales, Legislative Assembly, Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), 28 May 2002 at 2085.

[64]
New South Wales, Legislative Assembly, Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), 28 May 2002 at 2085.

[65]
New South Wales, Legislative Assembly, Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), 28 May 2002 at 2087.

[66]
New South Wales, Legislative Assembly, Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), 28 May 2002 at 2088.

[67]
The relevant provisions of the Personal Responsibility Act commenced on 6 December 2002.

[68]
Review of the Law of Negligence: Final Report, (2002).

[69]
Liability Act, Pt 3.

[70]
Liability Act, Pt 4.

[71]
Liability Act, Pt 5.

[72]
Liability Act, Pt 6.

[73]
Liability Act, Pt 7.

[74]
Liability Act, Pt 8.

[75]
Liability Act, Pt 9.

[76]
Liability Act, Pt 10.

[77]
Personal Responsibility Act, Sch 4, cl 4.5.

[78]
Civil Liability Amendment Act 2006 (NSW).

[79]
Civil Liability Amendment Act 2006 (NSW), Sch 1 [1]-[4].

[80]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [35].

[81]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [32]-[33] citing Producers' Co-Operative Distributing Society Ltd v Cmr of Taxation (NSW) (1947) 75 CLR 134 at 137 ; [1948] AC 210 at 213.

[82]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [49].

[83]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [59].

[84]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [49].

[85]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [59].

[86]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [71].

[87]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [73].

[88]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [74].

[89]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [75].

[90]
[2011] NSWCA 183.

[91]
New South Wales v Williamson [2011] NSWCA 183 at [16].

[92]
New South Wales v Williamson [2011] NSWCA 183 at [3].

[93]
New South Wales v Williamson [2011] NSWCA 183 at [4] (emphasis in original).

[94]
New South Wales v Williamson [2011] NSWCA 183 at [29].

[95]
New South Wales v Williamson [2011] NSWCA 183 at [29], [79].

[96]
New South Wales v Williamson [2011] NSWCA 183 at [29].

[97]
New South Wales v Williamson [2011] NSWCA 183 at [29].

[98]
New South Wales v Williamson [2011] NSWCA 183 at [118].

[99]
New South Wales v Williamson [2011] NSWCA 183 at [119] citing Saeed v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (2010) 241 CLR 252 at 263-265 [27]-[33]; [2010] HCA 23; Catlow v Accident Compensation Commission (1989) 167 CLR 543 at 550 ; [1989] HCA 43.

[100]
(1998) 194 CLR 355 at 384 [78] per McHugh, Gummow, Kirby and Hayne JJ; [1998] HCA 28 (footnote omitted).

[101]
Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 at 384 [78] per McHugh, Gummow, Kirby and Hayne JJ citing Bennion, Statutory Interpretation, 3rd ed (1997) at 343-344 (footnotes omitted).

[102]
Saeed v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (2010) 241 CLR 252 at 265-266 [33]-[34] per French CJ, Gummow, Hayne, Crennan and Kiefel JJ. See also Re Bolton; Ex parte Beane (1987) 162 CLR 514 at 518 per Mason CJ, Wilson and Dawson JJ; [1987] HCA 12.

[103]
Lacey v A-G (Qld) (2011) 242 CLR 573 at 592 [44] per French CJ, Gummow, Hayne, Crennan, Kiefel and Bell JJ; [2011] HCA 10.

[104]
Sovar v Henry Lane Pty Ltd (1967) 116 CLR 397 at 405 per Kitto J; [1967] HCA 31; Byrne v Australian Airlines Ltd (1995) 185 CLR 410 at 459 per McHugh and Gummow JJ; [1995] HCA 24; Purvis v New South Wales (2003) 217 CLR 92 at 122-123 [92] per McHugh and Kirby JJ; [2003] HCA 62; Dossett v TKJ Nominees Pty Ltd (2003) 218 CLR 1 at 6 [10] per McHugh J; [2003] HCA 69; Singh v Commonwealth (2004) 222 CLR 322 at 335-336 [19]-[20] per Gleeson CJ; [2004] HCA 43; Director of Public Prosecutions (Vic) v Le (2007) 232 CLR 562 at 573 [29] per Gummow and Hayne JJ; [2007] HCA 52; Alcan (NT) Alumina Pty Ltd v Cmr of Territory Revenue (2009) 239 CLR 27 at 47 [47] per Hayne, Heydon, Crennan and Kiefel JJ; [2009] HCA 41.

[105]
Zheng v Cai (2009) 239 CLR 446 at 455-456 [28]; [2009] HCA 52.

[106]
Heydon's Case (1584) 3 Co Rep 7a at 7b [76 ER 637 at 638]; Commissioner for Railways (NSW) v Agalianos (1955) 92 CLR 390 at 397 per Dixon CJ; [1955] HCA 27; Bropho v Western Australia (1990) 171 CLR 1 at 20 per Mason CJ, Deane, Dawson, Toohey, Gaudron and McHugh JJ; [1990] HCA 24; CIC Insurance Ltd v Bankstown Football Club Ltd (1997) 187 CLR 384 at 408 per Brennan CJ, Dawson, Toohey and Gummow JJ; [1997] HCA 2; Alcan (NT) Alumina Pty Ltd v Cmr of Territory Revenue (2009) 239 CLR 27 at 47 [47] per Hayne, Heydon, Crennan and Kiefel JJ.

[107]
Bropho v Western Australia (1990) 171 CLR 1 at 20 per Mason CJ, Deane, Dawson, Toohey, Gaudron and McHugh JJ referring, inter alia, to s 15AB of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) and the equivalent provision under s 19 of the Interpretation Act 1984 (WA). The equivalent provision in New South Wales is s 34 of the Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW). See also CIC Insurance Ltd v Bankstown Football Club Ltd (1997) 187 CLR 384 at 408 per Brennan CJ, Dawson, Toohey and Gummow JJ; Newcastle City Council v GIO General Ltd (1997) 191 CLR 85 at 99 per Toohey, Gaudron and Gummow JJ; [1997] HCA 53.

[108]
Harriton v Stephens (2006) 226 CLR 52 at 93-94 [134]-[135] per Kirby J; [2006] HCA 15; Roads and Traffic Authority (NSW) v Dederer (2007) 234 CLR 330 at 402-403 [265] per Callinan J; [2007] HCA 42; Insight Vacations Pty Ltd v Young (2011) 243 CLR 149 at 155 [14]; [2011] HCA 16.

[109]
Newcastle City Council v McShane (No 3) (2005) 65 NSWLR 155 at 164 [28].

[110]
See s 35 of the Victims Support and Rehabilitation Act 1996 (NSW) and the Victims Support and Rehabilitation Rule 1997 (NSW); s 149 of the Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) and the Motor Accidents Compensation Regulation (No 2) 1999 (NSW) (replaced in 2005 by the Motor Accidents Compensation Regulation 2005 (NSW)); s 337 of the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 (NSW) and the Workers Compensation (General) Regulation 1995 (NSW) (now contained in the Workers Compensation Regulation 2010 (NSW)); s 29(2) of the Dust Diseases Tribunal Act 1989 (NSW) (s 29 was repealed in 2005 and the Act does not presently restrict the recovery of costs).

[111]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [59].

[112]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [56] per Basten JA, [80] per Sackville AJA.

[113]
Legal Profession Act 2004 (NSW), s 735 and Sch 1, as enacted.

[114]
Reasons of French CJ and Hayne J at [19]-[22], reasons of Crennan and Bell JJ at [53].

[115]
The Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) was assented to on 18 June 2002, but is taken to have commenced on 20 March 2002: s 2.

[116]
Civil Liability Act 2002, s 8, Sch 2, item 2.2 [2].

[117]
At [91].

[118]
Civil Liability Act 2002, s 3.

[119]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [25].

[120]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [1], [80].

[121]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [59].

[122]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [73] per Sackville AJA.

[123]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [49] per Basten JA.

[124]
Cooper Brookes (Wollongong) Pty Ltd v FCT (1981) 147 CLR 297 at 304 per Gibbs CJ, 320 per Mason and Wilson JJ; [1981] HCA 26; Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 at 381 [69]; [1998] HCA 28.

[125]
CIC Insurance Ltd v Bankstown Football Club Ltd (1997) 187 CLR 384 at 408 ; [1997] HCA 2; Alcan (NT) Alumina Pty Ltd v Cmr of Territory Revenue (2009) 239 CLR 27 at 46-47 [47]; [2009] HCA 41.

[126]
See New South Wales v Williamson [2011] NSWCA 183 at [4(2)] per Hodgson JA, where his Honour understood the words of s 198C(1) to direct attention to the "meaning effectually given" in the Civil Liability Act 2002.

[127]
Cooper Brookes (Wollongong) Pty Ltd v FCT (1981) 147 CLR 297 at 321.

[128]
At [79].

[129]
As Basten JA observed in the Court of Appeal: Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [59].

[130]
New South Wales, Legislative Assembly, Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), 28 May 2002 at 2086.

[131]
Cross v Certain Lloyds Underwriters [2011] NSWCA 136 at [46]-[48].

[132]
New South Wales, Legislative Assembly, Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), 28 May 2002 at 2086.

[133]
New South Wales, Legislative Assembly, Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), 28 May 2002 at 2085.

[134]
See, for example, Sweeney v Fitzhardinge (1906) 4 CLR 716 at 726 ; [1906] HCA 73.

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