NZ Insurance Market Trends Update

Welcome to Wotton + Kearney’s NZ Insurance Market Trends Update, our biannual snapshot of legal trends and developments impacting claims managers, underwriters, brokers and corporates operating in the New Zealand market. In this edition, we look at the impact of recent matters in the areas of D&O claims, representative actions and EPL. We provide updates […]

Aged care reform heralds heightened risk for insurers

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is due to publish its final report on 26 February 2021. Its work, combined with the devastating impact of COVID-19, make it clear that significant change is on the way for the aged care sector. In this article, Chris Spain along with Cain Jackson and Charles […]

2021 Insurance Predictions Report

Wotton + Kearney is pleased to provide our 2021 Insurance Predictions Report, looking at the major trends and issues we expect will remain in the spotlight for the insurance industry in our region this year. It’s no surprise that this report addresses some of the horizon issues that we expect to face in the wake […]

High Court finds general advice can get personal

On 3 February 2021, the High Court unanimously dismissed Westpac’s appeal in Westpac Securities Administration Ltd v ASIC [2021] HCA 3. It held that Westpac’s call centre operators, in making outbound calls to existing superannuation members, provided personal advice to retail clients in breach of AFSL conditions. This is the first High Court pronouncement on […]

Wotton + Kearney appoints two new female partners

Wotton + Kearney has appointed two new partners, Chantal van Grieken, a highly regarded general liability practitioner, and Sian Gilbert, an EPL Accredited Specialist. Chantal and Sian, who were formerly with HWL Ebsworth, will join the firm on 1 February 2021. Chantal is known for her expertise in the areas of public liability, workers actions, […]

Informed Insurance: Critical Uncertainties 2020/21

2020 has reminded us all how quickly our world can be turned upside down. As the market considers how best to prepare for a resilient future, scenario planning is a key tool that can begin to provide the answers. Wotton + Kearney has joined with our Legalign Global alliance partners to produce the Critical Uncertainties […]

COVID-19 Resource Centre

Wotton + Kearney is committed to keeping our clients informed of the insurance and broader business implications of the coronavirus outbreak. With senior insurance law experts across major policy types and market sectors, we are well placed to provide advice and tailored support in product lines and claims areas we specialise in. On this page […]

JobKeeper legislation – new risks for EPL insurers

The new JobKeeper legislation, which was passed by the Federal Government on 8 April 2020, confers an extraordinary amount of flexibility on employers to restructure their workforce during the coronavirus crisis.  However, with these new opportunities for employers come a range of new risks. In this article, W+K EPL specalist Chris Mossman explains the issues […]

EPL trends, developments & risks – seminar recording

As workplaces continually evolve, so too do new risks and potential claims. Unfair dismissal, bullying and sexual harassment claims, statutory liability obligations of directors and managers, new whistleblower laws, and the potential impacts of the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment are just some of the emerging employment risks impacting insurers, brokers, underwriters and insureds in […]

Fair Work Commission releases first substantive COVID-19 decision

On 6 April, the Fair Work Commission handed down its first substantive decision regarding the COVID-19 crisis in Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical & Services Union v Auscript Australia Pty Ltd. Its finding that Auscript had breached its consultation obligations is not good news for employers seeking to implement rapid changes to their workforce. In this article, W+K […]