Topics: Professional liability

On 26 October 2013, the Queensland Parliament passed the Directors’ Liability Reform Amendment Act to give effect to its promise to introduce legislation to reduce the liability of directors and officers in Queensland. The Act took effect on 1 November 2013.

A recent decision by the NSW Court of Appeal concerning parties making claims against directors and officers provides some certainty for directors and insurers with regard to the proceeds of D&O policies.

An earlier judgment that suggested that directors may be unable to rely on Directors’ and Officers’ (D&O) liability insurance to fund defence costs has been reversed. The overturned decision had effectively prevented directors accessing a single policy, intended to cover both defence costs and claims for damages, where a civil

A decision of the New Zealand High Court last year cast doubt on whether directors could rely on D&O policies to fund their defence costs. It was held that civil claimants held the priority interest in Directors’ and Officers’ liability cover (D&O) under a statutory charge, and could prevent company

A recent ruling in New Zealand has cast doubt on the extent to which directors can rely on their Directors’ and Officers’ (D&O) liability insurance cover to help fund defence costs. The decision is relevant to all directors of companies who have a single policy covering both defence costs and

Client legal professional privilege lies at the heart of Australia’s legal system. Essentially, it is the principle that confidential communications between a client and a legal advisor should be protected to facilitate honest and open communication between them.