Scott is a partner in the HWLE Insurance Group. He has been practising as a litigator for insurers and self-insurers for more than 20 years. Scott has been named “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury Litigation in Best Lawyers™ Australia 2019 edition.
Scott has experience in public liability, dust diseases and workplace claims. He has advised clients in relation to legislation specific to dust diseases and workplace claims throughout Australia. Scott’s practice encompasses a broad range of industries including energy and resources, manufacturing, property management, transport, agribusiness, local government and insurance.
Scott is outcome focused and has settled the vast majority of cases on favourable terms including obtaining discontinuances or indemnities in favour of his clients in an unusually high number of litigated matters.
Expertise
Experience
- A large mineral and resources company Advising, for more than two decades, in relation to dust diseases claims. In that time, Scott has been involved in several landmark cases, including Schultz, which established the principles of cross-vesting.
- A client Successfully acting in the matter of Commsteel v BHP (2017) relating to interpretation of 45 year old policies of insurance.
- A large manager of commercial premises Successfully advising on public liability claims, including Elphick, where the New South Wales Court of Appeal held that the company’s services contract effected a complete delegation of responsibilities to its contractor and was not liable for the manner in which contractors devised and executed systems of work.
- A large steelmaking company Advising in relation to dust diseases liabilities. Since Scott’s appointment in 2010 the company has reduced its contributions to claims and legal costs considerably.