Legal professionals from Australia and New Zealand have been named among six early-career lawyers selected for a new international program from Global Insurance Law Connect, launched against the backdrop of regulatory changes in the region’s insurance sector.
Global Insurance Law Connect (GILC), a network of specialist insurance law firms, has announced the participants in its inaugural GILC Academy – an initiative aimed at enhancing global collaboration and legal insight across jurisdictions.
Two representatives from the Australasian region – Erica Filby of Sparke Helmore Lawyers (Australia) and Dion Morley of Duncan Cotterill (New Zealand) – were chosen from a global field.
The academy, set to take place in London in May, will see participants engage with the UK legal system through a week of structured activities hosted by Beale & Co, GILC’s UK member firm.
The program will include site visits, peer networking, and exposure to one of the world’s leading insurance markets, Lloyd’s of London.
GILC chair Gillian Davidson said the academy reflects the network’s wider objective of investing in its member firms’ future leaders.
“This program embodies the cross-border collaboration that defines GILC. As our network continues to expand, the academy allows a focus on supporting the emerging talent in our member firms,” she said.
Participants will gain exposure to different legal systems and practices, building connections that may benefit them and their firms long-term.
“This is an incredible opportunity for six exceptionally talented insurance lawyers to immerse themselves in different professional cultures, integrate international knowledge into their work, and establish lasting global connections. I encourage them to embrace this experience to the fullest, and I wish them every success,” Davidson said.
Entry into the academy was based on nomination by a partner and submission of a detailed business case. Candidates were evaluated by both the GILC board and the academy’s oversight group, which assessed how nominees might benefit from the experience and contribute to its objectives.
The announcement arrives as both Australia and New Zealand navigate notable regulatory adjustments in insurance.
In New Zealand, the Contracts of Insurance Act – approved in late 2024 and scheduled to take effect no later than November 2027 – will consolidate existing insurance legislation and align it more closely with laws in Australia and the UK.
The act introduces several significant changes, including revised disclosure obligations, clearer definitions of consumer versus non-consumer contracts, and new rights for third parties to bring claims directly against insurers.
Law firm MinterEllisonRuddWatts outlined the changes in a recent publication, noting that the reforms will likely require updates to IT infrastructure, proposal forms, and staff training.
Meanwhile, in Australia, Deloitte has identified several trends expected to influence the insurance market in 2025. These include heightened regulatory scrutiny, expanded use of AI technologies, the strategic focus on underserved communities, and the integration of digital tools into merger and acquisition strategies.
In its latest outlook, Deloitte said insurers will need to respond to evolving consumer expectations while managing increasing compliance demands.
