Department profile
Colin Biggers & Paisley

Insurance Defence

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : Australia


Colin Biggers & Paisley

Rankings

About

Provided by Colin Biggers & Paisley

With more than 100 lawyers, our Insurance group is one of Australia’s largest. We have decades of experience defending complex, high stakes matters and managing high volume claims, supported by expertise in claims management, underwriting, broking and claims resolution.

“Complex claims made simple” shapes how we work. As insurance specialists, we provide clear, practical advice and cut through complexity with a responsive, transparent approach. Using deep industry insight, we design strategies that minimise risk and exposure and deliver confidence and clarity.

Our experience gives us a strong understanding of industry challenges. We support insurers, reinsurers, Lloyd’s syndicates, underwriters, brokers and agents, claims managers, TPAs, self insureds and insureds. While we aim for commercial outcomes, clients trust us with significant or sensitive litigation. We also advise on policy drafting, interpretation, product development, regulatory issues and recoveries.

Many clients are ICA General Insurance Code of Practice signatories, and we train our people on key requirements, including family violence, vulnerability, financial hardship and complaints. Our family violence policy is public, and we guide individuals to translation services where needed.

As an Australian practice with global reach and a founding member of Global Access Lawyers, we provide seamless access to leading insurance specialists worldwide.

Clients (6)

  • Liberty Specialty Markets
  • Zurich Australian Insurance Limited
  • Argo Global
  • Catholic Church Insurance
  • ProRisk
  • CHU

Industries (11)

  • Insurance
  • Construction
  • Employment
  • Health
  • Education
  • Faith-based
  • Retail
  • Banking & finance
  • Aged & community care
  • Technology
  • Transport

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Insurance Defence - Australia

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Colin Biggers & Paisley caters to an extensive roster of insurer clients on high-profile contentious matters, notably including high-stakes class actions and construction disputes. The firm is especially well-regarded for handling big-ticket D&O and professional indemnity disputes as well as fielding expertise with regard to coverage issues. Additionally, the team is active in asbestos litigation, personal injury and transport-related claims. Colin Biggers & Paisley advises both Australian and multinational clients from within and beyond the Asia-Pacific region and is particularly noted for assisting on work originating from the London market.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Colin Biggers & Paisley acted for the sixth excess layer of insurers of Nuix's D&O policy in direct Federal Court proceedings and as coverage counsel in relation to the class action and associated ASIC civil penalty proceedings.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team at Colin Biggers & Paisley were able to analyse complex concepts and explain them in laymen's terms, while also seeing the bigger picture.

    Insurance Defence respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Colin Biggers & Paisley provides a thorough legal analysis and presents this in a concise manner which allows for quick decision-making.

    Insurance Defence respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Colin Biggers & Paisley are our go-to for any and all Australia-related work, in particular high-stakes work.

    Insurance Defence respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleGreg Skehan
    Senior StatespeopleGreg Skehan

    Greg Skehan

    Greg Skehan is particularly well known for his work on complex contentious insurance issues, particularly those arising in a construction or engineering-related context.

    • Greg Skehan is super experienced and a pleasure to work with.

      Insurance Defence respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Greg has set the benchmark for approachability and responsiveness for many years.

      Insurance Defence respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 2Keith Bethlehem
    Band 2Keith Bethlehem

    Keith Bethlehem

    Keith Bethlehem is based in Sydney and is widely regarded as a go-to lawyer where D&O, financial institution and cyber risk-related issues are concerned.
    • Having Keith on a complex and sophisticated matter solves part of the problem. His ability to identify the issues and provide solutions is critical for a good outcome.

      Insurance Defence respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Keith Bethlehem is hard-working and always thinks matters through.

      Insurance Defence respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 3Patrick Boardman
    Band 3Patrick Boardman

    Patrick Boardman

    Patrick Boardman is based in Sydney and acts extensively for both insurer and insured clients on indemnity claims and coverage issues in that sphere.
    • Patrick is a solid lawyer and tactician.

      Insurance Defence respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Patrick Boardman would be my first choice on any complex insurer coverage matters. He is an excellent insurance lawyer, there are no two ways about it.

      Insurance Defence respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 4Jonathan Newby
    Band 4Jonathan Newby

    Jonathan Newby

    Jonathan Newby often acts for insurers in coverage dispute and in the defence of professional service providers as well as in the defence of directors and officers liability. His work includes, but is not limited to, D&O class actions for the collapse of a company as well as regulatory investigation and combustible building cladding issues.

    • Jonathan Newby is a go-to lawyer for complex coverage and defence for both construction and D&O claims. He has a highly intelligent approach combined with strategic thinking.

      Insurance Defence respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Jonathan is extremely pragmatic and commercial and he's one of the smartest insurance lawyers around.

      Insurance Defence respondentAsia-Pacific

Ranked Individuals at Colin Biggers & Paisley (4)

Australia

Members

Provided by Colin Biggers & Paisley

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