Leah Hewish

Full Profile

Leah's practice encompasses all aspects of first party property and business interruption insurance.  This includes extensive experience with Mark IV and manuscript Industrial Special Risks policy wordings, contract works (contractors' all risk) policies, strata insurance and homeowners policies.  Leah has conducted detailed policy wording reviews, advised on prospective wording prior to issue and has undertaken a long term secondment in the claims team of a major international property insurer.

Leah has particular expertise in managing claims arising from natural disasters, including fire, storms, landslides and earthquakes, as well as complex claims involving contested ownership, non-disclosure issues and fraud.  Leah has also assisted insurers in subrogated recovery actions and in coverage disputes.

Leah also has expertise in coverage issues arising from directors and officers and professional indemnity policies, as well as general commercial litigation in the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Federal Court of Australia and High Court of Australia.

Experience

• Advising on coverage for business interruption claims made in the context of COVID-19
• Providing advice on complex property policy coverage questions following a major fire claim, including insurable interest, equitable ownership and fraud
• Assisting in the management of investigations following extensive storm damage to commercial property
• Advising on insurers' prospects of recovery following a large fire to commercial premises
• Assisting in subrogated recovery action following fire damage to nationally-significant infrastructure
• Advising in relation to first party property and business interruption coverage for SMEs
• Providing comprehensive industrial special risks policy wording reviews