Recent abuse cases offer further guidance

There have been three recent cases involving abuse matters that provide further guidance on how the courts are addressing some key liability, damages and limitation issues. These issues include: the need for specific evidence about the level of impact of limitation periods in considering applications to set aside settlements in institutional abuse matters the importance […]

When recreation means more – NSW Court of Appeal reinforces broad recreational activity definition

Carter v Hastings River Greyhound Racing Club [2020] NSWCA 185: On 21 August 2020, the NSW Court of Appeal again confirmed ‘recreational activities’ do not need to be ‘recreational’ in the ordinary meaning of the term with its decision in Carter. The Court’s decision also reinforced the position that being a volunteer does not affect […]

Institutional duty to prevent sexual assault in other places

The ACT Supreme Court has recognised that an institution can, in specific circumstances, owe a duty of care to take steps to protect the safety of intoxicated persons, including from the risk of criminal acts by a third party. In this case, a university college was found liable for the sexual assault of a resident […]

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 […]

A practical guide on managing EPL exposures caused by COVID-19 for insurers, insureds and brokers

The coronavirus (COVID-19) is having a significant and immediate impact on the entire workforce. Unfortunately, there are daily stories of mass redundancies, closures of businesses and stand down of workers. This guide provides practical advice for EPL insurers, insureds and brokers on how they can meet the insurance challenges created by the virus. W+K EPL […]

COVID-19: Implications for insurers – A Legalign Global Report

The significant impact of the coronavirus pandemic is being felt worldwide. For the insurance sector, the exposures created by the coronavirus are significant as an international event of this size and complexity carries a range of insurance risks, including first party and supply chain business interruption, event cancellation, travel and liability claims. Legalign Global’s alliance […]

Supreme Court of Victoria’s historical child sexual abuse decision confirms damages in one case are not binding on another

The Supreme Court of Victoria has handed down its judgment in the matter of Waks v Cyprys & Ors [2020] VSC 44, which involved an assessment of common law damages regarding a claim for historical child sexual abuse. The Waks decision highlights that awards for general damages in Victorian matters continue to turn on their […]

NSW Court of Appeal declines to stay historic abuse matter

On 19 February 2020, the NSW Court of Appeal further clarified its position on granting a permanent stay of proceedings that involve allegations of historical child abuse in Gorman v McKnight [2020] NSWCA 20. Following the Court’s recent decisions regarding this issue in Moubarak bht v Holt and Council of Trinity Grammar School v Anderson, […]

Ducking for cover – will ISR extensions offer protection from the new coronavirus?

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus has now been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO) – only the sixth time the WHO has made such a declaration. An international event of this size and complexity carries a range of insurance risks. While impacts on some lines of insurance remain […]

Informed Insurance: 2020 Predictions Report

We are pleased to share our latest Legalign Global thought leadership publication, Informed Insurance: 2020 Predictions, which has been launched in our region today. Aimed at supporting the global insurance market in preparing for the opportunities and challenges ahead, the report includes over 80 predictions by senior lawyers at the Legalign Global alliance firms, including Wotton […]