Hicksons is proud to be one of Australia’s leading insurance law firms, recognised for uncompromising quality.

For over 40 years we have been committed to the insurance industry, maintaining a reputation for practical, reliable advice focused on achieving commercially sound outcomes. Our experience and long term commitment to clients gives us a thorough understanding of the insurance business and its regulatory environment. We have been acting for a major insurer for more than 40 years.

Partner Cameron Leaver leads the Insurance Law team. With 45 insurance lawyers, Hicksons has the resources necessary to provide a high level of service to all clients.

While providing clients with robust advice, we always consider their commercial drivers – including the true costs of settling a claim. Reflecting this approach, most disputed matters we advise on are settled early.

Where claims as a matter of necessity or strategy require to be litigated, we firmly and fairly act to protect our clients’ interests. We have represented clients in all NSW jurisdictions, most interstate jurisdictions, and the Federal Court of Australia and the High Court of Australia.

Two partners, Paul Hendriks and Dr Tim Channon, are Accredited Specialists in Commercial Litigation (Insurance). Partner Michael Hunt is an Accredited Personal Injury Specialist.

Our ability to deal comprehensively with the full range of insurance matters is evidenced by our extensive list of clients which includes:

• brokers
• captives
• claims holding agencies
• cover holders
• insurers
• intermediaries
• Local Government authorities and pools
• mutuals
• reinsurers
• State Government departments and agencies
• statutory corporations and authorities
• self insureds
• underwriting agencies.

• Business interruption
• Catastrophic claims
• Construction all risks
• CTP claims
• Directors and officers
• Dust diseases
• Education law
• Employment practices insurance
• Energy
• Equitable contribution
• Export credit and political risk
• Fidelity guarantee
• Fire claims
• FSR advice
• Industrial special risks (ISR claims)
• Legal expenses insurance
• Lenders mortgage insurance
• Liability claims (public and occupiers liability)
• Local Government
• Marine aviation and transit
• Medical malpractice
• Motor vehicle property
• Mutual insurance
• Policy advice and drafting
• Product liability
• Professional indemnity
• Property damage
• Recovery actions
• Reinsurance
• Risk management advice
• Statutory compliance
• Workers compensation

With offices in Sydney, Newcastle and Canberra and affiliations with reputable insurance firms in other States, we can assist clients nationally and in all Courts. Our lawyers have conducted litigation in the United Kingdom, Europe, America, Africa and the Asia Pacific.

We are genuinely committed to our clients. Our aim is to always exceed their expectations and advance their best interests. We do so with a cost structure that is genuinely cost effective because our skilled lawyers embrace efficient and appropriate work practices.


Insurance Law Articles, Bulletins and Seminars

Hicksons Insurance Law E-Bulletin September 2009 edition

Trends and Statistics in the Australian Insurance Industry 2008/09 - Hicksons article
For more information, please phone Solicitor Laila Ragupathy on +61 2 9293 5300 or email laila.ragupathy@hicksons.com.au

Making the National Claims and Policies Database (NCPD) Public - A Hicksons Seminar presented by APRA Member John Trowbridge in Sydney on Wednesday 23 September 2009
APRA Member and leading actuary John Trowbridge delivered a presentation which covered the consultation process relating to the publication of the NCPD data. He also discussed international regulatory developments in light of the global financial crisis.
Please contact Partner Dr Tim Channon on +61 2 9293 5485 or tim.channon@hicksons.com.au for more information.

Hicksons Insurance Law E-Bulletin June 2009 edition

Tort Reform - Has the Next Step in the Cycle Taken Place? - Hicksons article
Please contact Partner Dr Tim Channon on +61 2 9293 5485 or email tim.channon@hicksons.com.au for more information.

Recent Developments in Australian Insurance Law - Hicksons article
Please contact Solicitor Emma Loong on +61 2 9293 5330 or email emma.loong@hicksons.com.au for more information.

Perspectives on the Insurance Industry - A Hicksons Seminar presented by APRA Member John Trowbridge on 1 October 2008
APRA Member and leading actuary John Trowbridge delivered a presentation which covered the international factors and challenges that lie ahead for the insurance industry and Australia's prudential regulator. Please contact Partner Dr Tim Channon on +61 2 9293 5485 or tim.channon@hicksons.com.au for more information.

Don't Get Caught Out: Privilege - Significant Developments on Law of Privilege
A Hicksons Seminar with Dr Sarah Pritchard held on Wednesday 30 July 2008 at the Swissotel, Sydney
At this seminar, Dr Sarah Pritchard addressed recent court decisions that have caused concern about the fragility of legal professional privilege and the operation of the UCP Code.  Dr Pritchard discussed important recent decisions such as the State of New South Wales v Jackson.  Please contact Hicksons Partner Dr Tim Channon on +61 2 9293 5485 or tim.channon@hicksons.com.au for more information.

The Hon. Tony Fitzgerald AC QC on Mediation - A Hicksons Seminar held on 28 April 2008 at the Sydney Hilton Hotel
The Hon. Tony Fitzgerald AC QC is well known for his considerable experience as a mediator and active involvement in encouraging the use of mediation.  In this seminar, he explained how parties in a mediation can best use the process to arrive at finality and how proper preparation can assist in achieving resolution of the dispute.  He was forthright in identifying behaviour and tactics which discourage resolution.  As mediation becomes a primary tool for the resolution of disputes, Mr Fitzgerald's insightful comments were extremely valuable and timely.  Please contact Hicksons Partner Dr Tim Channon on +61 2 9293 5485 or tim.channon@hicksons.com.au for more information.

Partner Derek Luxford delivered a presentation titled The Law Commission Review of Insurance Law - The Australian Experience to the Leeds Marine Insurance Association conference in Leeds UK on 30 October 2007.  Please contact Partner Derek Luxford on +61 2 9293 5474 or email derek.luxford@hicksons.com.au for more details about this presentation.

Model Litigant Policy Seminar - held at Hicksons Sydney office on 23 October 2007
Tracey Burgess, Director of Legal Management Services of the Attorney General's Department of New South Wales, provided a seminar about the department's Model Litigant Policy to Hicksons partners and lawyers on  23 October 2007.  Hicksons complies with and assists clients in conforming with the Model Litigant Policy which sets out a code of conduct for fair dealing with other parties in dispute with NSW government agencies.  Please contact Hicksons Partner Philip Cowdery on +61 2 9293 5462 or email philip.cowdery@hicksons.com.au for further details about this seminar.

Partner Derek Luxford delivered a presentation in the maritime session at the IBA Annual Conference 2007 on 18 October in Singapore.  For more details about his presentation, please contact Derek Luxford on +61 2 9293 5474 or email derek.luxford@hicksons.com.au

Perspectives on the Insurance Industry - A Hicksons Seminar presented by APRA Member John Trowbridge on 8 October 2007
APRA Member and leading actuary John Trowbridge gave a presentation which covered financial aspects of claims management, the APRA Prudential Framework, risk management versus compliance, and licensing foreign insurers, as they stand today.  John also focused on how the regulation will impact on claims management and compliance in the future. Please contact Partner Dr Tim Channon on +61 2 9293 5485 or tim.channon@hicksons.com.au for more information.

Do Many Cooks Improve the Broth? - A Hicksons seminar on Proportionate Liability under the Civil Liability Act 2002 held on 23 August 2007

Public Interest Immunity - A Hicksons seminar on the Application and Scope of Public Interest Immunity for the NSW Police Force held on 25 May 2007

For other articles, news items and legal bulletins issued by Hicksons, please visit the firm's News and Media webpage.