Update

Insurance Law - June 1998

Headed by partners Hugh Scott-Mackenzie, Mark Darian-Smith and Justin McDonnell, our Brisbane team acts for insurers and larger self insured professional firms. The partners are assisted by senior associate Jennifer Fairfull and solicitor Anna Weedon.

The group practises principally in the defence of professional indemnity claims against accountants, solicitors and valuers, as well as public liability claims.

All members of our Brisbane team belong to a number of insurance related organisations both in Queensland and nationally. Some of our team currently serve as committee members to those organisations.

Justin McDonnell

Justin has been a partner of the firm since 1 January 1998. His practice largely encompasses indemnity issues for professionals. He has a particular interest in medical issues having advised clients in relation to matters such as ownership of medical records and on the health industry in Queensland. Justin has advised the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (Queensland Branch) on The Compensation Policy and Reform Act 1995 and represented the Society at a Medical Trade Practices Forum conducted by the ACCC in 1996.

Justin worked for Linklaters & Paines in England for several years and dealt extensively with the Lloyd's and Institute of London Underwriters' markets, particularly on asbestosis issues. He also advised on the insolvent administration of London United Insurance.

Justin is the contributory editor to the chapter on "Insurance Intermediaries and Clients" in the text Law of Commercial and Professional Relationships.

Hugh Scott-Mackenzie

Hugh has been a partner of the firm since 1980. He has acted for insurers in a variety of matters ranging from professional indemnity and public liability claims to actions instituted by insurers against agents. Hugh has also dealt with a number of matters involving medical negligence and has served as the honorary solicitor of the Royal Flying Doctors Service (Victoria branch) and is a former legal member of the Dental Board of Queensland.

Mark Darian-Smith

A partner of the firm since 1991, Mark has handled several major professional indemnity claims, ranging from claims based on audits to tax advice. He has also advised on public liability matters and policy interpretation claims.

Jennifer Fairfull

Jennifer is a senior associate in the practice.

For more than seven years, Jennifer has acted for insurers representing solicitors, accountants and valuers. Her practice includes advising insurers on policy interpretation and indemnity issues. She has represented numerous private insurers in public and product liability and aviation matters.

Jennifer's experience extends to medical negligence. She has acted for the Medical Defence Union, various regional health authorities, private hospitals and private insurers. Jennifer's practice has included representing medical and health care professionals before the Medical Assessment Tribunal, Physiotherapist Board, Coronial Inquests and the preparation of material for Commissions of Inquiry.

Anna Weedon

Anna is a solicitor in the group whose practice involves acting for professionals in negligence and breach of retainer claims, as well as advising insurers on indemnity, liability, policy interpretation and general insurance agency issues.

International Recognition

Peter Stockdale, a partner of the insurance group based in our Sydney office has been named in Euromoney Legal Group's "Guide to the World's Leading Litigators". Peter is one of only seven litigators from Australia to receive a nomination.