New vendor disclosure requirements for off the plan purchases

  • Published 11.12.2019

Summary

Solicitors and conveyancers for vendors and developers need to be aware of the additional vendor disclosure obligations in force since 1 December 2019.

The changes have come into effect following the commencement of the Conveyancing Legislation Amendment Act 2018 (‘the Act’) and the Conveyancing (Sale of Land) Amendment Regulation 2019 (‘the Regulations’).

Another brick in the wall. Principal builder’s failure to inspect brick pillar negligently injures roofer

  • Published 09.12.2019

J-Corp Pty Ltd v Thompson [2019] WASCA 173

Life Insurance & Superannuation Bulletin - December 2019

  • Published 06.12.2019

What's happening here and now

  • TurksLegal and ALUCA Mental Health and Life Insurance Panel discussion
  • 2019 ALUCA TurksLegal Scholarship winner's paper
  • Spring Life Matters Seminar: ASIC Report 633 on TPD

Industry News

Extending Unfair Contract Terms to Life Insurance Contracts

  • Published 06.12.2019

The unfair contract terms reforms were introduced into Federal Parliament last week under the Financial Sector Reform (Hayne Royal Commission Response – Protecting Consumers (2019 Measures)) Bill 2019 (the Bill). Schedule 1 to the Bill gives effect to recommendation 4.7 of the Financial Services Royal Commission to extend the existing protections under the Australian Securities and Investment Commission Act 2001 (ASIC Act) to insurance contracts governed by the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (ICA).    

ASIC Report 663 on TPD – Analysis and Implications

  • Published 06.12.2019

Background

In Report 498 (2016), ASIC promised a standalone investigation of TPD after finding an average 16% TPD decline rate, which in their view, was unacceptably high.

That review is now complete and has resulted in report 633 ‘Holes in the safety net: A review of TPD insurance claims’.

The review involved an investigation of seven life insurers representing 65-70% of TPD market in the target calendar years of 2016 and 2017.

The Financial Services Reform Roadmap

  • Published 06.12.2019

In August 2019, the Federal Treasurer, Josh Frydenburg released the Federal Government’s Implementation Roadmap which sets out a timeline for the enactment of the recommendations of the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Royal Commission.

In this edition of the Bulletin we will begin to give you a brief tour of some of the more significant points of interest on the roadmap and their implications for the life insurance industry.

What's happening here and now? December 2019

  • Published 06.12.2019

TurksLegal and ALUCA Mental Health and Life Insurance Panel discussion

High Court abolishes power to make common fund orders in class action proceedings

  • Published 05.12.2019

BMW Australia Ltd v Brewster & Anor; Westpac Banking Corporation & Anor v Lenthall & Ors [2019] HCA 45

Summary