State of New South Wales v Connor

The Court of Appeal of New South Wales heard an appeal by the State of New South Wales against a decision of Hidden J, who had overturned a Master's refusal to grant an extension of time. The dispute concerned an application for an extension of time under section 151D of the *Workers Compensation Act 1987* (NSW).

The central legal issue before the Court of Appeal was whether Hidden J had erred in reversing the Master's discretionary decision to refuse the extension of time. Specifically, the court had to determine if the Master had exercised his discretion erroneously, thereby justifying the intervention of a judge on appeal.

The Court of Appeal found that no erroneous exercise of discretion by the Master had been demonstrated. The judges reasoned that the Master's decision was a valid exercise of his judicial discretion, and therefore, Hidden J was not justified in setting it aside. Consequently, the appeal was upheld, the orders of Hidden J were set aside, and the original orders of Master Greenwood were reinstated. The respondent was ordered to pay the appellant's costs.