Connect with meAs Managing Partner, Casualty & Operations, Charles spearheads Wotton Kearney’s innovation and transformation strategy. Leveraging his deep expertise of the insurance market, coupled with his knowledge of cutting-edge technologies, he leads WK’s approach to innovation and transformation, ensuring the firm remains at the forefront of industry developments and empowering lawyers to deliver the best legal service .
Charles has helped cultivate a culture of Working Smarter at WK and leads a dynamic team of change makers. Recognising the importance of adaptability and agility in today’s legal environment, he champions initiatives that optimise efficiency, streamline processes, and enhance client experiences.
In addition to his leadership role, Charles sits on the firm’s executive and oversees the firm’s casualty practices. He has extensive experience working with local and international insurers and syndicates in general liability, personal injury, construction, property damage and coverage issues. He is recognised in the market for his ability to manage technical and highly sensitive claims and is acknowledged as a leader by various insurers in navigating emerging risks in amateur and professional sport.
Personal Injury
- Acting for a food manufacturer following claims by patrons allegedly contracting salmonella typhimurium.
- Acting for insurers of a restaurant in sensitive Compensation to Relatives claims arising from the death of a customer.
Property Damage
- Acting for Sydney Catchment Authority regarding 25 property damage claims arising from bushfires at Warragamba Dam.
Construction
- Acting for a contractor in a successful appeal to the High Court that is the leading authority on the duties owed by head contractors and sub-contractors on construction sites: Leighton Contractors v Fox; Calliden Insurance Limited v Fox [2009] HCA 35.
- Successfully defending a head contractor in the Court of Appeal, following a claim for damages by a subcontractor’s employee who fell on site and suffered brain damage: Paul Minogue v David Rudd [2013] NSWCA 345.
- Acting in Arbitration Proceedings in Malaysia against the structural engineers of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
- Acting for insurers following property damage claims arising from Cyclone Yasi and various flood events.
Subrogated Recoveries
- Acting for insurers of a strata development regarding a subrogated claim for recovery of $20+ million losses sustained in a fire.
Sports, Leisure and Entertainment
- Acting for the regulators, local and Lloyd’s-based insurers and governing bodies of various national sporting bodies in claims brought by players and participants, including career-ending injuries, and investigations into the use of banned performance-enhancing drugs.
- Class Actions
- Personal Injury
- Property Damage
- Sports, Leisure and Entertainment Liability
- Construction and Infrastructure
- Manufacturing and Consumer Goods
- Healthcare and Life Sciences
- Retail and Labour Hire
- Sports, Leisure and Entertainment
- Australian Insurance Law Association
- Australian Professional Indemnity Group
- Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance
- NSW Claims Discussion Group
- Engineering Discussion Group
- Law Society of New South Wales