New Zealand is currently in the process of passing a new Privacy Act. The approach to privacy law and regulation has changed significantly since the implementation of the Privacy Act 1993, and this latest reform is designed to bring New Zealand in line with international best practice. One significant change is the introduction of mandatory […]
In our next Q&A, we get to know Senior Associate and Financial Lines specialist Christy Mellifont who has recently returned to W+K in Melbourne following a two year secondment with our Legalign Global partner, DAC Beachcroft. How did the opportunity to go on secondment to DAC Beachcroft in London come up? Soon after Wotton Kearney […]
Wotton Kearney acted for the court-appointed liquidators in response to an application for leave to commence proceedings against them for alleged negligence and misleading or deceptive conduct. The NSW Supreme Court dismissed the leave application and the proceedings with costs. In this case alert, Cain Jackson, Patrick Boardman and Stephen Morrissey explain why this decision […]
In our next Q&A with senior lawyers, we get to know Sydney Special Counsel and employment law specialist Caitilin Watson. Tell us about your journey to becoming a Special Counsel at W+K I was interested in working for W+K as the known leader in the insurance field, assisting with premium insurance matters. Previously I led […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Between government-imposed social distancing measures and global supply chain disruptions, the construction industry is suffering. The sector is experiencing significant direct operational impacts, ranging from WHS issues and contractual exposures to the erosion of asset values. Professionals working in the industry are also struggling with the flow-on effects, including the challenge of discharging their obligations […]
The NZ economy has been severely hit by the impacts of the coronavirus, with many businesses now in lockdown. The Government has responded with a COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme to help businesses and affected workers in the short-term, as they adjust to the initial impact of COVID-19. For employers, the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme comes […]
Insurers are likely to receive an increase in cyber claims due to the impact of the coronavirus. Most businesses have had to accommodate remote working rapidly, leaving many with a range of cyber security exposures. There are already phishing scams using COVID-19 related messages to lure anxious individuals and the number of these is expected […]
