Legal Affairs

Contra proferentem and standard contracts including insurance policies (Aus)

The New South Wales Court of Appeal, considering the wording of a business interruption policy in the context of a Covid-19 claim, dealt with the contra proferentem rule which provides that any ambiguity in a policy of insurance should be resolved by adopting the construction favourable to the insured.

Liability for omission

In February 2020, the Johannesburg High Court held that the failure by a security company to warn its clients that criminals were impersonating its employees to uplift cash, constitutes an omission of crucial information which provides grounds for an action for damages in delict.

COVID-19 Vaccines: A step towards mandatory vaccination in the workplace

Whilst Government had initially taken the view that vaccinations against COVID-19 would not be made mandatory, the revised Consolidated Directions on Occupational Health and Safety Measures in certain workplaces (the Directions), promulgated by the Minister of Employment and Labour, on 11 June 2021, reflect a significant change of approach.

Terminal illness claim rejected for lack of proof of life expectancy (AUS)