Peter Hunt | Partner B.Com (University of New South Wales), 1992; LLB (University of New South Wales), 1992; Accredited Specialist in P.I. Law, 1998 t: 61 (2) 8231 6284 e: peter.hunt@curwoods.com.au   Compulsory Third Party

Main areas of practice

Resolving compulsory third party injury claims.

Background

Peter Hunt joined Curwoods in March 2004 having worked with Blake Dawson Waldron for a number of years.   He has played an instrumental role in strengthening the firm’s CTP practice and was appointed a partner in July 2005.

Experience

Peter is the current author of the CCH Motor Accidents Practitioners’ Handbook and is a Law Society of NSW Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law.  He served on the Law Society’s Personal Injury Committee in 1997 and in 2003 and was appointed as a CARS Assessor by the Motor Accidents Authority in March 2004.  This quasi-judicial appointment was made based on Peter's experience in the industry and peer and industry respect.

Peter has been appearing as an advocate for the insurer in CARS Assessment Conferences on a regular basis since March 2003.

With Andrew Gorman, another partner in the CTP team, Peter thoroughly reviewed the amendments to the Motor Accidents Compensation Act and advised management and senior staff of major insurers, such as NRMA, AAMI, QBE and GIO, on practical implications of the amendments,  He also conducted extensive training to prepare claims staff to assist them operate effectively under the changed Scheme.

Two of Peter’s successes in practice include:

• Successfully resisting an application for extension of time pursuant to s 52(4) of the 1988 Act solely upon the ground that granting an extension would be futile given that the accident involving an uninsured vehicle arguably occurred on a location which was not a road or road related area.  The case was significant given that the applicant satisfied all other criteria for leave, including the provision of a full and satisfactory explanation, satisfaction of the 25% threshold and the absence of prejudice.

• Recommending an appeal from a trial judge’s finding of 50% contributory negligence in a case where the claimant ran across George Street against the lights on a busy Monday morning before being run down by a motorist in the middle lane. The Court of Appeal substituted a finding of 75% contributory negligence, which reduced the verdict to below the defendant’s offer of compromise. Peter played a significant role in the preparation of the defendant’s written submissions both in the Court of Appeal and in successfully resisting the claimant’s application for special leave to appeal to the High Court.

Professional Activities

Peter has had dozens of articles published in the Law Society Journal and many articles published in the MAAS Bulletin, Direct Link and the Australian Insurance Law Bulletin.  He is a frequent presenter at the NSW State Legal Conference and has also presented seminars at the request of the University of NSW and LAAMS. Topics have ranged from the impact of the Civil Liability Act 2002 on motor accident claims to the scope of the statutory CTP indemnity to a review of recent case developments.

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