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Our team regularly produces articles and updates on legal developments and the implications for clients. Our latest publications can be viewed below. Alternatively, use the Search function on the left to find the topic of your choice.
HBA Legal launches inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
July 18, 2022
Following formal endorsement from Reconciliation Australia, HBA Legal has published its inaugural Reflect RAP. In doing so, we are proud to join the 1100+ corporate, government and not-for-profit organisations across Australia that have made a formal commitment to reconciliation with First Nations Australians through the well-established RAP program. Our RAP has been driven by a […]
HBA Legal home to ‘Best Lawyers’
April 22, 2022
Six HBA Legal lawyers have been named in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. The Best Lawyers in Australia list is now in its 15th year. Lawyers who are nominated for consideration are then voted on by […]
Symptoms of anxiety and stress do not amount to a psychological condition
March 17, 2022
Fittock and Comcare [2022] AATA 72. Key Points: The Tribunal was asked to make a decision about liability on a claim for an aggravation of a psychological condition suffered by an employee of Services Australia. The employee claimed she experienced stress and anxiety as a result of the conduct of her team leader, after […]
Objection refused! Tribunal issues summons for mental health records
March 17, 2022
Australian Electoral Commission and Comcare [2022] AATA 138. Key Points: A treating psychologist objected to a summons for him to produce medical records, on the grounds that it would be a breach of privacy and duty of care to his patient. The Tribunal found that privacy considerations and duty of care must give way […]
“But I don’t want to go” – a subjective belief of unlawfulness cannot amount to a reasonable excuse
March 17, 2022
Hanel and Comcare [2022] AATA 261. Key Points: A subjective belief alone, as to the unlawfulness of a Notice to undergo a medical examination, cannot amount to a reasonable excuse for the purpose of section 57(2) of the SRC Act. A determination made under section 57 of the SRC Act is not included within […]
Ongoing symptoms were due to old Army injury not compensable condition
March 17, 2022
Di Carlo and Linfox Australia (Operations) Pty Ltd [2021] AATA 5086. Key Points: The Tribunal was asked to consider ongoing liability to pay compensation to a Linfox Australia employee in respect of a left elbow condition. The Tribunal accepted that the employee had suffered a previous left arm injury while serving in the Army […]
Former AFP officer not entitled to compensation for psychological condition sustained in 1987
March 17, 2022
Ascic v Comcare [2021] FCA 1498. Key Points: The Federal Court was required to consider whether the Tribunal erred in finding that an Australian Federal Police Officer was not entitled to compensation for permanent impairment for a psychological condition. The Federal Court applied Kostas v HIA Insurance Services Pty Ltd t/as Home Owners Warranty […]
Employment & IR launch for Crawford’s Australian law firm
February 2, 2022
Media Release 1 February 2022 MELBOURNE: HBA Legal, part of Crawford & Company®, the world’s largest publicly listed independent provider of claims management and outsourcing solutions, has again expanded its offering with the launch of an employment law and industrial relations practice. The national firm has welcomed two Partners, Michelle Dawson […]
Tribunal dismisses claims due to “abuse of process”
December 14, 2021
NXPQ and Comcare [2021] AATA 4094. Key Points: The Tribunal was asked to dismiss two applications on the basis that they were made on substantially the same facts as a claim which had already previously been decided by the Tribunal. The Tribunal found in favour of Comcare and dismissed both applications on the basis […]
To summons, or not to summons, that is the question
December 14, 2021
Martinovic and Australian Capital Territory [2021] AATA 3435. Key Points: An employee of the ACT objected to a summons issued to obtain her medical records on the basis that the records contained information which, if disclosed, would remove her right to privacy on matters which she believed had no relevance to the proceedings. The […]