June 2019

NEWS AIDA DIARY CONTACT HOME

Read a roundup of activities around the AILA and NZILA chapters

 

Victoria


By George Karalis

The annual general meeting was a successful event with 195 guests entertained by one of Australia’s finest comedians, Richard Stubbs.

His cutting wit and clever delivery made for rapid-fire entertainment. Backed by his winning style and potent force in Australia’s radio and television market, Richard had the audience enjoying a good laugh.

AILA Victoria welcomed three new committee members: David Arribas, from HWL Ebsworth; Lana Collaris, from the Victorian Bar; and Adrian Lee, from Wotton + Kearney. A warm welcome to them.

Thanks to the outgoing committee for all the hard work during the past year and, in particular, those stepping down. Without the committee's hard work and passion, AILA Victoria would not be as successful.

The Annual General Insurance Law Review was on 27 February. The half-day seminar was presented by panellists Matt Ellis, from Norton Rose Fulbright; Robert Minc, Meridian Lawyers; Raff Pisano, Minter Ellison; and Lucy Terracall, from Clayton Utz.

The Financial services royal commission: Royal game changer in a post-Hayne world was on 14 March. The panel discussion was chaired by barrister Wendy Harris QC and industry experts shared their views about the implications for the insurance sector arising from the commission, following publication of the final report. 

The Victorian final of the Ron Shorter Memorial Award is on 25 July. Applications closed on 3 May and excitement is mounting.

Through the committee's hard work, the branch already has a full seminar schedule and looks forward to an action-packed year as it continues to roll out its program, including an annual networking event in October.

 

New South Wales


By Andrew Thomas

The NSW chapter is well into its social and educational offering for the year. 

The Twilight seminar series is in progress with the following topics covered:

• Financial services royal commission: How the game has changed in a post-Hayne world
• Will cover be there when you need it? Lessons for financial lines insurers and insureds
• The future of insurance
• Outside the retainer: A professional indemnity update
• Cutting-edge issues in class action claims
• Hot topics in property ISR and other first-party claims: A case study

Thanks to Twilight committee members for their hard work in producing such high-quality, informative seminars. 

On 27 March, Hall &Wilcox hosted the seminar, Financial services royal commission: An ethical fall out. This presentation and panel discussion was moderated by Ahranee Vijayaseelan, and a panel of experts discussed the road ahead for insurers, regulators and other industry stakeholders.

Chad Downie provided a review of the royal commission and the impact on insurers. The panel of Chad Downie, Dr Deen Sanders and Kathryn Rigney provided expert insights into the ethical fall out for the  industry.

Sparke Helmore hosted a joint seminar with RDG on 9 May, The future of insurance disclosure, which was also kindly sponsored by Radford Lawyers, Sententia, and Gen Re.

Proudly supported by HWL Ebsworth, AILA TecHub’s first seminar for the year was titled Innovate or Evaporate.

A presentation by Marcus Marchant, Group Chief Digital & Innovation Officer, QBE Insurance, was followed by a hard-hitting panel session with Brian Siemsen, Managing Director and CEO, Claim Central Consolidated; and Rita Yates Head of Corporate Partner Experience, Stone & Chalk. Answers to the following were discussed:

• Should insurers embrace it or be afraid of it?
• Where are we at and which way forward?

 

South Australia


By Scott Duell

The SA executive had some changes early in 2019.

Nigel Wilson stepped down as president at the end of March and I took on the role.

The committee thanks Nigel for his contributions over the last few years as president and looks forward to working with him as a continuing member of the committee. Congratulions to Kimberley Miller-Owen, who has been nominated to the position of secretary.

SA also welcomed Nick Henley (Ansvar) as a new committee member.

SA has held several successful events this year:

21 February – Hilton Hotel breakfast seminar: Financial services royal commission – After the deluge: A post-Hayne world
21 March – Belgian Beer Café: Welcome to 2019 Drinks – joint event with AICLA
4 April – Hilton Hotel breakfast seminar: Smart contracts and insurance: Practical applications and legal issues
23 May – Annual general insurance law review.

Tasmania


By Steven Smith

The national conference organising team, led by Kate Stockford, has the National Conference well in progress.

The committee is still seeking sponsors, so would welcome suggestions.

The program is nearly complete and topics include the Lloyd’s restructure, the cladding crisis, driverless cars, climate change, and a practical session on all-terrain vehicles. The entertainment and social activities will be fun and a bit quirky.

Registrations are open and early bird registrations close on 6 September.

On 24 May, the Tasmanian chapter had a seminar on the realities of chronic pain, chaired by Dr Rob Walters with Dr Chris Orlikowski and Dr Pei Huang discussing issues for diagnosis and management.  

The annual workers’ compensation master class is on 30 August, so pencil in the date.

The chapter looks forward to seeing interstate members at the National Conference.

Finally a shout out to Tasmanian Police and Marine Rescue Services who pulled me off a small offshore island after a day and night with only three lolly snakes and pig face to eat. I’ll tell all at conference.

 

Queensland


By Berren Hamilton

There was a full house at Queensland’s April breakfast discussion on the Qld Supreme Court decision of Caffrey v AAI Ltd (see cover story).

It launched 1,000 questions on the potential extent of duty of care in pure psychiatric injury claims. Thanks to the presenters – Richard Douglas QC, Jo Sorbello and Kevin Holyoak – for reinvigorating the seminar format, facing off against each other and taking us “down the rabbit holes”.

It was great to see the barristers debating their various views (rather than just lecturing) and for them to not just identify the issues on which they agree, but also enable – through their discussion – the audience to gain a real feel for the reasons for the divergence and extent of difference between their opinions.

Insightful and entertaining. The decision is on appeal, so we wait with bated interest for the next chapter on this minefield topic.

The 2019 Annual Queensland Insurance Intensive – Under the magnifying glass – was a spectacular success. Held on 24 May, it was a packed full-day program with sessions covering a balance of industry developments, market analysis, substantive law, ethical challenges and strategic thinking, followed by drinks and canapes and networking at the magnificent venue – The Calile Hotel.

Thanks to all who attended and the presenters. Justice Roslyn Atkinson AO gave the keynote address.

Other presenters included Travis Schultz, of the QLS Accident Compensation/Tort Law Committee; Associate Professor Kay Lauchland, from Bond University; Stephen Elms, National Head of Food Production at Gallagher; Dr Martin Miller, director of Crawford & Co; Donna Niblock, Assistant Vice President of Crisis Management for Liberty International Underwriters; Kiley Hodges. from Sparke Helmore Lawyers; Peter Roney QC; John Philipsz, Deputy CEO, Willis Re; Rob Anderson QC; Anastasia Nicholas of counsel; Mark Martin QC; Mitchell Price, Director of Government Affairs and Strategy APC for Lime Scooters; Andrew Mahon, General Manager (Land Transport Safety and Regulation), from  the Department of Transport & Main Roads; Jeremy Barton, Client Director – Growth, for Aon Risk Solutions; Jessica McClymont of counsel; Greg Pynt, counsel and author of Australian insurance law: A first reference; and Roger Traves QC.

The event would not have been possible without the important support of generous sponsors. Moray & Agnew Lawyers was the barista and flagship sponsor. Session sponsors were Law In Order; Sparke Helmore Lawyers; and Clyde & Co. LexiMed Medicolegal Specialists was the lanyard sponsor.

Beverage sponsor was Barry.Nilsson.Lawyers.  Silver sponsors were Surveillance Central; Minter Ellison; Vincents; Ferm Engineering; Hall & Wilcox Smarter Law; Nationwide Experts; Benjamin Stephens; WRM Water & Environment; CPR Insurance Services; and eReports. Thanks to all the sponsors – AILA Qld is extremely grateful.

There will be articles about the new wisdom and perspectives learned at Under the magnifying glass in the next edition of Resolve.

Here’s a blast from the past. AILA life member Mike Quinlan dug this photo out of his archives.

AILA Qld’s first committee was, from left, Clive Hamlin, Graeme Jones, John Percy, Andy Anderssen, John Rowell, Michael Forde, Mike Quinlan, Rod Patterson, Paul O’Sullivan and Mike Woolmer.

 
Back to top
 
 

Resolve is the official publication of the Australian Insurance Law Association and
the New Zealand Insurance Law Association.