In 2025, TPD claims in Australia are undergoing significant scrutiny and the claims process remains complex. Take a deep dive into the Insurance Contracts Act and examine the complex issues in TPD claims and litigation. Understand the implications of the interaction of variation and unbundling of insurance contracts within the Insurance Contracts Act and the implications of life, TPD and income protection claims.  Unpack the challenges of pleading and proving TPD claims involving multiple conditions one of which is an excluded condition and gain practical guidance and tips on claims strategy regarding commencing proceedings.

Presenters

Rebecca Nichols, Barrister, More Chambers
Rebecca Nichols has broad experience working in various practice areas since 2000 and specifically in commercial litigation, financial services, general insurance and personal injury disputes for the last 16 years. She commenced at the private Bar in 2010 and has continued her broad practice conducting both plaintiff and defendant litigation. In recent years, she has developed an extensive practice in superannuation and life insurance disputes. She appears in both State and Federal Courts and is also a regular advocate in alternative dispute resolution processes. Rebecca is a member of both the Australian Lawyers Alliance and Australian Insurance Lawyers Association. She holds a Bachelor of Law (Hons) from QUT.


Nicholas Scott, Barrister, Quay 11 Chambers
Nick commenced his legal career as a personal injuries solicitors in 2011, eventually joining Maurice Blackburn’s Brisbane Personal Injuries Team in 2014. In 2019 he moved to Maurice Blackburn’s Superannuation and Insurance Litigation Team, before becoming the State Litigation Leader in 2021. In this role Nick litigated hundreds of insurance claim for Queenslanders, primarily in the life insurance space, but also a number of general insurance claims involving houses, businesses and vehicles. In May 2025, Nick was called to the Queensland Bar and is focusing on insurance, personal injuries, consumer law and administrative law.


Melissa O’Neill, Special Counsel, Shine Lawyers
Specialising in Plaintiff Litigation, Melissa has spent many years fighting against insurance companies and other large organisations to obtain justice for her clients. She was delighted to join the Superannuation and Disability Claims Team, who are determinedly focused on getting the best outcomes for clients, whom they treat like family. Melissa has seen what many of our clients go through. She has stood shoulder to shoulder with them and been there during some of their darkest times. Melissa feels that to be able to restore some of their dignity and self-respect that insurers have taken from them, is a great honor and privilege. As a Solicitor and Special Counsel, Melissa's role is a challenging but rewarding one. She has witnessed the courage of our clients and to be able to fight for them is a huge motivator and is definitely what keeps her going. It’s Melissa’s hope that the team continues with their great work in really going that extra mile. She promises that they will do everything possible to make sure you are well looked after and able to move on with your life.


Nawaar Hassan, Barrister, Foley’s List
Nawaar has specialist expertise in insurance law. She acts both for insurers and insureds in indemnity disputes, defence of claims and subrogated recovery. She regularly acts in matters involving avoidance for alleged non-disclosure and alleged fraudulent claims in both general and life insurance. Nawaar has experience across the field of general insurance including: Professional indemnity insurance, building and property insurance, business interruption insurance, public liability insurance, owners corporation and strata insurance. Before coming to the Bar Nawaar worked as the Associate to Justice Cavanough of the Supreme Court of Victoria and to Judge Taft of the County Court of Victoria.


Hayriye Uluca, Principal Lawyer & State Litigation Leader, Maurice Blackburn
Hayriye is a Principal Lawyer & State Litigation Leader (Victoria) practising in Superannuation and Insurance litigation at Maurice Blackburn. Hayriye was admitted to practice in 2010 working in Workers’ Compensation and pursuing common law and statutory benefits for her clients. Hayriye commenced working for Maurice Blackburn in 2011 and has practiced solely in Superannuation and Insurance since 2012. Hayriye is passionate about keeping insurers and trustees accountable, especially where they illustrate poor conduct and operate in a manner contrary to the interests of her clients. In particular, Hayriye runs a practice of complex insurance litigation involving non-disclosure matters, rejected TPD claims ranging from $50,000 to $2m, complex death benefit disputes, trauma and accidental sickness & injuries claims, general insurance disputes including home and contents claims arising from water inundation, mould and fire, travel insurance and motor vehicle claims, income protection and business expenses claims, financial advice disputes where insurers have “churned’ their clients out of existing policies into new policies with inferior coverage and/or policy conditions and providing subrogation and income protection recovery advice in common law claims. Hayriye is sensitive to the devastating financial and emotional impact that rejected and drawn-out claims have on her clients and is driven to mitigate this impact by holding insurers and trustees to account. Hayriye understands that superannuation and insurance is a difficult area to navigate and at first glance the entitlements a person may have and the obstacles they may face in pursuing a claim are unclear. Her passion is in creating better understanding about the pitfalls that exist within TPD and other insurance policies to improve the landscape for claimants, thereby making outcomes fairer and more generous for her clients.