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Specialty Lines

Through the expertise of the lawyers at Wotton + Kearney, the firm is able to provide exceptional advice and claims related services in relation to a number of specialty lines, including:

• Bankers Blanket Bonds
• Catastrophic and Major Claims
• Environmental Risks
• Fidelity
• Fire, Householders and travel
• Malicious Product Tamper
• Political Risks
• Marine

Class Actions

The number of class actions in Australia over the last few years has increased dramatically.  Recent legislative changes and novel caselaw relating to creditor and shareholder priorities have removed some of the legal obstacles to the instigation of class actions.  Sophisticated third party funding arrangements have encouraged prosecution with the result that class actions are now an increasingly common form of litigation in Australia.

Class actions are more than mere multiple claims.  Legal and tactical issues abound.  To defend class actions insurers require specialised knowledge and experience.  Wotton + Kearney has the required expertise and a proven track record in:

• advising on policy coverage in respect of a variety of class actions; and
• conducting the defence of litigated class actions.

Some examples of class actions in which Wotton + Kearney have recently been involved are:

• acting for the D&O insurers in relation to a multi-billion dollar US Securities class action in New York arising out of various capital raisings involving a Singapore registered public company;
• acting for the D&O insurers in relation to a high profile multi-million dollar claim by shareholders against an Australian mining company and its directors;
• acting for the off-shore manufacturer of an agricultural product relevant to a class action brought by a number of Australian farmers in relation to financial loss sustained from use of that product;
• acting for and negotiating settlement on behalf of the liability insurers of a private school concerning a major class action involving sexual abuse claims;
• successfully defending oyster growers in a product liability class action arising out of the Wallis Lake Hepatitis A outbreak; and
• acting for D&O insurers in relation to a class action against the directors of a major public company arising out of their attempts to reform the Australian waterfront by replacing their union workforce with non-union labour.

Pro Bono

The word "Pro Bono" is taken from the Latin phase "pro bono publico" or "for the public good".  Pro bono has long been a tradition in the legal community and is vital for providing free legal services to individuals and not for profit organisations in need.

In accordance with the firm's commitment to pro bono and community services Wotton + Kearney is pleased to announce that it has recently become a member of PILCH - the Public Interest Law Clearing House - of New South Wales.  Through its membership with PILCH, Wotton + Kearney will be seeking to actively participate with and contribute back to the community.

This is an exciting initative and the Wotton + Kearney PILCH team will be participating in areas of dispute resolution and litigation, where the majority of the skills and expertise of our lawyers lie.  Our senior and junior lawyers have volunteered their time, bringing many years of experience as well as youthful enthusiasm to the program.

Currently we are assisting an Aboriginal Elders Group situated on the far north coast of New South Wales.  This not for profit organisation provides vital services to its local Aboriginal community.  Advice was sought and provided in regards to liability issues arising from the services they provide and their inability to afford insurance cover.

Catherine Osborne, Partner and Ella Gould, Solicitor are co-ordinating the Wotton + Kearney PILCH team.

For more information on Wotton + Kearney's commitment to Pro Bono services please contact: