Victims Compensation Fund Corporation v Brown

HIGH COURT OF AUSTRALIAMcHUGH ACJ,GUMMOW, KIRBY, HAYNE AND HEYDON JJVICTIMS COMPENSATION FUND CORPORATION  APPELLANTANDSCOTT BROWN & ORS  RESPONDENTSVictims Compensation Fund Corporation v Brown [2003] HCA 5430 September 2003S162/2003ORDER1.Appeal allowed.2.Set aside paragraphs 1 and 2 of the orders of the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of New South Wales made on 28 May 2002 and, in lieu thereof, order that:(a)the record of the proceedings in the District Court be removed into the Court of Appeal; and (b)the orders of Phelan DCJ made on 19 March 2001 in proceedings Nos 317/00 and 318/00 be quashed and, in lieu thereof, the determination of the Victims Compensation Tribunal made on 16 May 2000 be affirmed.On appeal from Supreme Court of New South WalesRepresentation:M G Sexton SC, Solicitor-General for the State of New South Wales with C L Lonergan for the appellant (instructed by Crown Solicitor for New South Wales)A J Bellanto QC with G C Halsall for the first and second respondents (instructed by Hilton King Solicitors)No appearance for the third respondentNotice:  This copy of the Court's Reasons for Judgment is subject to formal revision prior to publication in the Commonwealth Law Reports.CATCHWORDSVictims Compensation Fund Corporation v BrownCriminal law – Victims compensation – Shock – When compensable – Eligibility for compensation only if victim suffers "symptoms and disability" – Whether "and" conjunctive or disjunctive.Statutes – Interpretation – "Symptoms and disability" – Whether "and" conjunctive or disjunctive.Words and phrases – "and".Victims Support and Rehabilitation Act 1996 (NSW), Sched 1, cl 5(a).McHUGH ACJ.   I...