W+K’s Jessica Chapman wins AILA’s inaugural Gill Award

We are delighted to announce that Jessica Chapman, a lawyer in W+K’s Sydney Financial Lines team, has won the Australian Insurance Law Association’s (AILA) inaugural Gill Award, which recognises lawyers for their research on issues that could affect the industry’s future. In her award submission, Jessica wrote and presented on: Decrypting crypto: The state of […]

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 […]

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 […]

New technology and the risks of convenience

From smart phones and drones to early artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, technology has the potential to enhance our quality of life in so many different ways. While technological advancements can provide considerable convenience, are we being sold convenience and innovation over security? W+K Cyber specialists Kieran Doyle and Eden Winokur recently talk […]

Cyber claims likely to rise following announcement of digital regulatory reform and Australia’s first privacy class action decision

On 11 December, the Australian Government announced its reform package in response to the ACCC’s digital platforms inquiry, which includes a series of initiatives designed to address the market power, transparency and fair competition associated with tech giants. For insurers, the proposed strengthening of regulations – combined with news of the NSW Ambulance workers’ settlement […]

New Zealand’s new Privacy Act edges closer

The long-awaited legislative overhaul to New Zealand’s privacy framework contained in the Privacy Act 1993 is on track for commencement on 1 March 2020. The Privacy Bill, which contains a comprehensive suite of reforms, has recently passed its second legislative reading. New Zealand’s new privacy framework will be based on the same OECD principles that […]

Insurers face a double blow from cyber fines and claims in Australia

With anticipated new data protection laws and significant investigations underway, Australia appears set to create a data protection regime with high penalties and serious potential for third party claims. Increased enforcement, penalties and third party claims will create a rapid increase in exposure for insurers – and may put the question of whether cyber fines […]

Employee Class Actions: New claims in the flexible employment economy

The gig economy is reshaping employee class actions, with recent decisions classifying independent contractors and casual workers as employees. Historically, employee class actions were the monopoly of the union movement. But with the waning of union membership and influence, and the rise of the gig economy and large numbers of casual workers, litigation funders are […]

Government Bill opens the back door for hackers

The Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Bill 2018 was introduced to Parliament on 20 September. While the Bill may sound innocuous, its scope and implications could significantly impact personal data security in Australia and make it easier for hackers to access personal data stored on devices. Technology commentators say it will be […]

Insurance Remodelled – 2018/19 Market Conditions & Trends Report

I am delighted to welcome you to the launch of our annual Legalign Global insurance report, Insurance Remodelled, 2018/19 Market Conditions & Trends. The report has been produced by our Legalign Global partner DAC Beachcroft for a number of years to assist the insurance industry in the UK and has now been expanded to include […]