Long Tail Tort Liability - Do We Need Reform?

17 October 2007

Time: 5.30 - 7.30 pm
Venue: Slater & Gordon, Boardroom, Level 9, 533 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Registrations:  leanne.hunt@buseco.monash.edu.au phone 03 9903 4198 

Seminar outline

There has been considerable controversy and public concern in the aftermath of the James Hardie Inquiry over the adequacy of the law dealing with compensation payments by companies to mass tort victims in cases where the injuries suffered as a result of the company’s negligence may not emerge for many years. The Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee issued a recent Discussion Paper which considers whether the law in this area should be reformed to offer greater protection to tort victims. This seminar addresses some of the key questions raised in the Discussion Paper, providing different perspectives of expert practitioners in the area of mass tort class actions.

Guest speakers

• Peter Gordon, Partner, Slater & Gordon
• Leon Zwier, Partner, Arnold Bloch Leibler

Peter Gordon has been a partner at Slater and Gordon since 1989 and the Senior Partner since 1995. He is currently National Practice Group Leader, Asbestos heading the largest asbestos litigation team in Australia.  Peter conducted the first successful asbestos related cancer claim in Australia in 1984 and represented the ACTU and asbestos victims groups at the James Hardie Inquiry.  He has been instrumental in a number of other mass tort and consumer class actions including HIV infection litigation, abuse of children at Church orphanages, OK Tedi environmental litigation against BHP, Vioxx pharmaceutical litigation and tobacco industry class action. 

Leon Zwier has been a partner at Arnold Bloch Leibler since 1991. He practices in commercial litigation, dispute resolution and corporate insolvency and reconstructions. Leon has acted in a number of high profile cases including Ansett Airlines voluntary administration, Sons of Gwalia insolvency, James Hardie dispute resolution and the litigation involving the Estate of Rolah McCabe against British American Tobacco.

If this particular educational activity is relevant to your immediate or long term needs in relation to your professional development and practice of the law, then you should claim one unit for each hour of attendance, refreshment breaks not included.

CLARG gratefully appreciates the support of Slater & Gordon in hosting this seminar.