NZ Privacy Act 2020: Update 1 – What the new law means for insurers and their insureds

On 30 June 2020, New Zealand’s privacy regime was reformed with the royal assent of the Privacy Act 2020. The new legislation will come into effect on 1 December 2020. The new legislation introduces a range of reforms that bring New Zealand into line with international best practice for privacy and data protection. These include mandatory […]

COVID-19 Resource Centre

Wotton Kearney is committed to keeping our clients informed of the insurance and broader business implications of the coronavirus outbreak. With senior insurance law experts across major policy types and market sectors, we are well placed to provide advice and tailored support in product lines and claims areas we specialise in. On this page you […]

An Australian first – privacy regulator commences action against Facebook

On 9 March 2020, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) lodged Federal Court proceedings against Facebook for ‘serious and/or repeated’ breaches of the Privacy Act in an action that is the first of its kind in the Australian legal landscape. The case marks the turning point where the Australian regulator signals more of […]

Preying on the vulnerable – cyber claims predicted to rise due to COVID-19

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 […]

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 […]