High Court finds police have an implied right to enter land to investigate the occupants

On 9 December 2020, the High Court handed down its decision in Roy v O’Neill [2020] HCA 45. The decision confirms police have an implied right to enter land to investigate the occupants by speaking with them, as long as the entrance onto the property is not for the sole purpose of subjecting the occupant […]

Court of Appeal confirms Polglase decision and the critical question of breach

On 23 October 2020, the Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in Coffs Harbour City Council v Polglase [2020] NSWCA 265. Wotton + Kearney acted for the State of NSW in its successful defence of the appeal proceedings. The case confirms, for the purpose of a duty of care on a statutory authority, what […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

Tragic jetty fall case tests many civil liability issues

Polglase v Coffs Harbour City Council (No 2) [2019] NSWSC 1848 On 19 December 2019, the NSW Supreme Court gave judgment in a complex case involving multiple defendants, which followed a tragic accident involving a young child who fell from a jetty. Wotton + Kearney acted for the State of NSW in its successful defence […]

The Current State Of Personal Injury Litigation – Western Australia

Wotton + Kearney is pleased to release the first of our series of guides aimed at helping insurers, brokers and their respective clients to understand the varying regimes and trends in personal injury litigation across Australia – starting with Western Australia. The Current State of Personal Injury Litigation in WA is set against the backdrop of the […]