John is an expert in insurance law, specialising in the field for over 19 years. He has acted for insurers, employers and corporations, with a special emphasis on injury liability matters.
John looks for opportunity and leverage for his clients. He considers it important that clients understand and feel in control of the strategic development of each situation to achieve the most beneficial solution.
John regularly presents on current and anticipated challenges facing the insurance industry, particularly on issues of indemnity and statutory construction.
His mathematics and accounting background enables him to draw this numerical love in investigating significant economic loss disputes.
John has additional special interests and has successfully represented his clients in heavy vehicle cases and is actively engaged more broadly in the disability sector.
John acted exclusively for claimants, applicants and plaintiffs until 1997. This valuable insight provides him with a strong negotiation and forensic edge.
John's Qualifications
- Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Major), University of New South Wales
- Bachelor of Laws, University of New South Wales
- Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales
- Solicitor of the High Court of Australia
- Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales
- Solicitor of the High Court of Australia
John's Expertise
- Compulsory Third Party
- Indemnity claims
- Public Liability
- Recoveries
- Workers’ Compensation
John's Leadership
- Director, Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of New South Wales
- President Appeals Tribunal, Water Polo Australia
- Member, Australian Insurance Law Association
- Member, Australian Institute of Company Directors
- Member, The Law Society of New South Wales
John's Recent Experience
Area of Expertise
Area of Expertise
Statutory
Work Undertaken
Acted for insurers in leading authorities, particularly on interpretation of statutory policies (Allianz v GSF).
The interplay between recoveries in the statutory schemes was also a focus of his work (State of NSW v Nominal Defendant, Allianz v Newcastle Formwork).
John is most proud of his achievement of driving successful resolution strategies and projects through ADR.
Area of Expertise
Area of Expertise
Public Liability
Work Undertaken
John has acted for insurers and insureds in matters ranging from and including collieries to medical centres and to sporting bodies (Cole v South Tweed Rugby League Football Club & Anor, Hughes v Van Eyk & RTA).
Area of Expertise
Area of Expertise
Indemnity
Work Undertaken
John has been engaged as an expert in professional negligence (legal) claims. He has acted for wineries, consultants and providers of specialist services to sporting organisations.
Area of Expertise
Area of Expertise
Sport and NFP
Work Undertaken
Advising and assisting with governance, finance and risk, and legal. Bodies include ParaQuad, Water Polo Australia, Bonville International Golf Resort.
John's recent publications
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What’s the reason for GST compliance with Residential Property?
03 Oct 2018The GST withholding regime commenced on 1 July 2018. It changes the treatment of GST for new residential premises and potential residential land. WHY HAS IT CHANGED? Previously, where the sale of new residential premises or potential residential land...
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Unidentified Motor Vehicle Omitted from Contemporaneous Medical Evidence Proves Fatal
22 Feb 2017The Nominal Defendant v Cordin [2017] NSWCA 6 Background Facts The respondent was riding his bicycle on a dirt road in Lismore, New South Wales on 2 September 2012 when he fell and suffered severe injuries. He was familiar with the road. It had lots of...
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Estoppel, limitation periods and referral to DPP – a trifecta for the CTP insurer
20 Jul 2016Background Facts Genevieve Audrey Amor-Smith (plaintiff) alleged that she sustained fractures to her right ankle and left scapular as a result of a collision between her scooter and Peter Ching's (defendant) vehicle on 25 August 2011. Numerous...
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