InBrief

The New South Wales Government is in the process of passing the Motor Accidents Compensation Amendment Bill 2010. This Bill incorporates an amendment to Section 3 and 3A of the Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 to overcome difficulties created by the Court of Appeal decision in Zotti v Australian Associated Motor Insurers Limited (2009) NSWCA 323.� The amended provisions are retrospective to 1 October� 2006.

Representations were made to Government to� widen the application of the Bill as it was understood that there were still some cases from pre-1 October 2006 where insurers were taking a Zotti _point, however the Bill has not been extended to cover these cases. The MAA has indicated that it would� be interested in hearing about any pre-1 October 2006 _Zotti _cases. The MAA has indicated that where insurers� are taking a _Zotti point in pre-1 October 2006 cases, the MAA would be prepared to discuss the approach taken with the insurer.

Any members who have a pre-1 October 2006 case in which there is a Zotti issue are invited to contact the Alastair McConnachie, deputy executive director at the Bar Association on� amcconnachie@nswbar.asn.au� to discuss how the MAA can be approached to address the Zotti� issue.

29 October 2010