Group Action Against Insurers in Post Quake Christchurch

A funded and well resourced legal action against insurers could be on the cards, more than four years after earthquakes devastated the largest South Island city.

Christchurch born and now Auckland based trial lawyer Kalev Crossland is coming to Christchurch with Bruce Sheppard - the former shareholders association chairman and a director of New Zealand's only professional litigation company LPF Group, to speak to residents on Friday 17 April at the Transitional Cathedral.

Mr Sheppard is coming to Christchurch in a personal capacity and not as representative of LPF Group, the largest litigation company in New Zealand.

Following a recent visit to his old stomping ground of Mt Pleasant, Kalev Crossland addressed members of the local residents association and says it is clear many are not making the progress they should reasonably expect so long after an event like the quakes.

"We're still looking into it but we believe the issue of Good Faith could be the basis for a strong case against insurers," he says.

"When customers pay a premium, they do so in good faith; they pay their premiums in the knowledge they will have their claim progressed and settled in a reasonable period of time with as little stress and fuss as possible. From what I heard that evening in Mt Pleasant and from what I know across Christchurch, that certainly hasn't happened and problems are continuing."

This is where Bruce Sheppard comes in. He says his focus at this stage is primarily justice and righting wrongs.

"I've had a lot of experience in litigation, successful litigation at that. I hope my experience can assist people still dealing with unresolved claims, or claims resolved unsatisfactorily, that's why I'm coming to Christchurch."

Sheppard says from what he has heard and seen so far with regards to Good Faith not having been tested legally and what's happening in Christchurch, it's definitely worth a closer look. 

Crossland who too says he is driven by a sense of justice, adds that the free "educational evening" on an insurers obligation in law around "good faith" is step one however should the interest from claimants be there, the next steps will be taken quickly and efficiently.

To attend the evening please email phillippa.barry@shieffangland.co.nz or telephone 09 379 0655; or check out www.shieffangland.co.nz

Background:

Kalev Crossland BA, LLB Cant; LLM (First Hons), MComLaw (First Hons), MTaxS (Hons) Auck is a Christchurch born and educated business trial lawyer with more than 25 years’ High Court trial experience acting both for businesses including insurers and insured.  He heads litigation at leading Queen Street law firm Shieff Angland.  Kalev returns to Christchurch to present a free educational evening on the good faith obligation in insurance law and strategy in dealing with insurers and cost effectively using lawyers. 

Bruce Sheppard will also attend the educational evening, in an individual capacity although he is a director of LPF Group. He has extensive experience in successful funded litigation in New Zealand.