Insights
Publications
Search Publications
Recent Publications
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 expands into Melbourne
May 14, 2019
Media Release: HBA Legal has officially opened its doors in Melbourne this week, as the defendant-only insurance practice further expands its national footprint. Founded in 2011 with offices in Perth and Sydney and just 11 employees, today HBA Legal also operates out of Brisbane and Newcastle with around 70 staff around the country. Managing Director […]
HBA Legal named industry innovation leader
May 1, 2019
HBA Legal has been named one of the most forward-thinking and innovative legal firms in the country. The Australasian Lawyer Innovative Firms Report 2019 features HBA Legal alongside just 28 other law firms. Inclusion on the list is considered a sign of being at the forefront of change and innovation in the legal industry through […]
Recent changes to the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth)
March 29, 2019
In the last few weeks, there have been some amendments to the SRC Act discussed briefly below. If you would like a more in-depth explanation of any of the amendments, please get in touch. Minimum interval between section 57 appointments The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Specification of Medical Examination Interval) Instrument 2019 (available here) […]
Diversity Honours for HBA Partner
March 29, 2019
Media Release: HBA Partner Dr Andrew Lu OAM has been honoured with the first-ever Diversity Leader Award, presented by the Asian Australian Lawyers Association (AALA) (WA Branch). The Diversity Leader Award recognises a lawyer who has shown true commitment to the core aims of the AALA: promoting and advancing diversity and inclusion in the law […]
Australasian-wide recognition for HBA
March 25, 2019
HBA Legal and HBA Group have both been announced as finalists in the 2019 Australasian Law Awards. The Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of Australia and New Zealand’s leading legal professionals, firms and in-house teams. The awards are said to define excellence in the legal profession over the past year. HBA Legal has been announced […]
When it comes to fiction vs reality, it’s perception that counts
March 18, 2019
Davies and John Holland Pty Ltd [2019] AATA 148. Key Points: The Tribunal needed to determine whether a psychological condition had been significantly contributed to by employment. The Tribunal concluded that even though the psychological condition arose from misapprehensions, there was a sufficient connection to actual events in the workplace for the employee to […]
Staying inside the lines: Tribunal critical of the rigid Comcare Guide but still must abide by it
March 18, 2019
Dillon and Comcare [2019] AATA 214. Key Points: The Tribunal needed to determine whether an assessment of whole person impairment (WPI) was correct. The constraints of the Comcare Guide in regard to the Assessment of the Degree of Permanent Impairment were criticised in circumstances where the impairment was more significant than the assessable WPI […]
HBA Partner appointed to State Administrative Tribunal
March 7, 2019
Media Release: HBA Partner Dr Andrew Lu OAM has been appointed a sessional (part-time) member of the Western Australian State Administrative Tribunal (SAT). Appointments are made on the recommendation of the SAT President and approved by the Western Australian Premier, Attorney-General and Governor. SAT is an independent body that makes and reviews a broad range of […]
11 year delay no barrier to claim
March 7, 2019
Sarraf and Comcare (Compensation) [2018] AATA 3196. Key Points: The applicant made a claim for workers’ compensation in 2016, in respect of an aggravation of an injury sustained in September 2005. The Tribunal found that the claim for workers’ compensation satisfied the requirements set out in section 53 of the SRC Act, despite the […]
Employer liable for Customer Service Officer’s recreational netball injury
March 7, 2019
Rye and Comcare [2018] AATA 4658. Key Points: The applicant sustained an injury while participating in a netball game. The Tribunal was satisfied that her employer had actively encouraged her to participate in the netball game and, therefore this injury was compensable under the SRC Act. Background: The applicant was employed by the […]