Gain a focused update on key developments in medical negligence claims. From the latest case law on breach of duty and causation to navigating expert evidence and emerging strategies for using AI with medical records, gain practical insights to strengthen your litigation approach and client outcomes.

Presenters

Antonia Quinlivan, Barrister, Greenway Chambers
Antonia Quinlivan was called to the NSW Bar in 2022 and practices from Greenway Chambers. Her main area of practise is medical negligence. Antonia also practises in general insurance and construction law. Prior to coming to the Bar, Antonia practised as a solicitor in health and medical law teams for both plaintiff and defendant firms. Antonia has experience in a number of areas of health law including professional indemnity, disciplinary proceedings and coronial inquests. In 2021, after leaving HWL Ebsworth’s Health Insurance Team, Antonia was Tipstaff to the Honourable Justice Julia Lonergan of the Supreme Court of NSW. Antonia also holds a Master of Health Law.

Seun Idowu, Partner, Hall & Wilcox
Seun works across the NSW and ACT jurisdictions and is a defendant insurance litigator and health law specialist. She has investigated critical incidents and defended: insurers in multiple party construction injury claims; slip and fall claims occurring at shopping centres, health facilities and government premises; claims arising from injuries sustained at educational institutions and daycare/child care centres; cross-claims against cleaning companies, security and patrol businesses; intentional tort claims; historical abuse and institutional abuse claims against Government and NGO entities; injury claims arising from accidents at rental properties; and claims against amusement park/recreational ride operators. Seun enjoys the complex liability and quantum investigations involved in public liability and casualty work and has particular expertise quantifying claims involving catastrophic injuries including future care and support needs. Seun provides her clients with proactive support on receipt of instructions including prompt investigation and early advice and recommendations designed to promote cost efficiency. Her rigorous approach to matters is tempered by her empathy. Her aim is to expeditiously resolve meritorious claims on best terms to the insurer and insured, and robustly defend unfounded and opportunistic claims. When it comes to medical defence, Seun knows the legislative framework and policies of the health system in NSW and has acted for public and private hospitals, employed doctors, allied health workers, nurses and Visiting Medical Officers in medical, surgical and mental health civil claims and coronial investigations. Seun has particular expertise in coronial investigations from deaths in custody and civil claims arising from prison incidents. She understands the complexities of medical treatment delivered in correctional facilities, and the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders including private prison operators, health service providers, Corrective Services NSW and the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network. Seun routinely appears as a solicitor advocate for her clients in appropriate matters, most commonly in the NSW Coroner’s Court. In addition to her defence and coronial practice, Seun assists individuals during disciplinary and regulatory investigations led by the Nursing and Midwifery Board, Medical Council of NSW, Health Care Complaints Commission and other bodies. Prior to transitioning into private practice, Seun spent almost a decade working within the NSW public service. She provided legal and policy advice to Government and NGO stakeholders around issues concerning risk mitigation, ageing, disability, assault and trespass to vulnerable individuals, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and home care. She also represented agencies and individuals in coronial inquests. Her public sector experience includes a lengthy secondment to the Commonwealth Department of Health where, amongst other matters, she provided advice about obligations arising under the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988 and Aged Care Act 1997. In 2016, working within the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, she managed a team of lawyers handling complex and sensitive claims following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Her public sector experience extends to the federal jurisdiction having completed a lengthy secondment to the Commonwealth Department of Health in 2020. Amongst other matters, she provided advice about obligations arising under the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988 and Aged Care Act 1997.

Justine Matthews, Special Counsel, Hall Payne
Justine is Special Counsel at Hall Payne Lawyers, bringing over 20 years of legal expertise to the firm. Specialising in Health Law, she is dedicated to supporting health practitioners facing complaints, investigations, disciplinary actions or navigating the registration process with Ahpra. She has represented doctors and health practitioners before numerous authorities and regulatory bodies, including the AHPRA, OHO, HCCC and Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Justine is renowned for her ability to navigate sensitive and complex cases, consistently handling high-pressure matters with discretion and exceptional expertise. In addition to her legal acumen, Justine has delivered training seminars and published articles to support the medical profession in understanding regulatory requirements and minimising risk. Justine’s extensive career includes senior roles in both private practice and corporate settings. She has served as Partner in Charge at leading law firms and has been recognised for her legal excellence, including listings in Australia’s Best Lawyers and Doyle’s Guide for Defendant Litigation.

Kevin Connor SC, Maurice Byers Chambers
Kevin Connor did medicine graduating in 1984 (MB BS Hons I). He also did neuroscience research in the laboratory of Professor Mark Rowe for which he was awarded a Bachelor of Medical Science. He practiced medicine in hospitals for three years - 1984, 1985 and 1986. Kevin completed the Barristers Admission Board Course in March 1986 (Dip Law). In 1987 and 1988 he was an Associate to Justice Mary Gaudron, who in February 1987 became the first woman to be appointed to the High Court of Australia. Kevin commenced practice at the New South Wales Bar in July 1989, first at 10 Selborne Chambers, and then from 1995 at Ten St James Hall Chambers, and from April 2000 at Maurice Byers Chambers on Level 60 of the MLC Building. He is interested in law generally, and continues to have an interest in neuroscience, particularly affective neuroscience. Kevin has been involved in cases in many different areas of the law, including tax, medical negligence, equity and trusts, commercial disputes, constitutional law, copyright, and professional disciplinary matters. In 2002 and 2003 Kevin was counsel assisting in the ICAC inquiry into the collapse of the New South Wales Grains Board. For a number of years in the 1990s Kevin lectured in the Admission Board Courses in the subjects of Torts, Equity and Trade Practices. Kevin was appointed Senior Counsel in 2007.