Peter Coats
|Partner

Insurance law is a significant focus of Peter's litigation and advisory practice and his expertise spans the full range of insurance-related matters. Peter advises government departments, employers and insurance companies on matters relating to the Workers' Compensation Act 1958 and Accident Compensation Act 1985. He also manages major national portfolios of claims for AMP General Insurance Limited and AMP Life Limited. For ING Life Limited and ING Australia Limited, Peter manages the conduct of claims made under income protection or life insurance policies. Peter also acts on instructions from the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority with respect to claims against Victorian Government Departments.

Expertise

Professional Background

Publications & Media

Areas of expertise include:

Commercial Disputes and Litigation

Peter is an extremely successful litigator who handles liability, personal injury and major torts matters as well as dust disease claims, disability claims and claims arising out of superannuation policies and the management of large portfolios.
In the 1980s Peter handled thousands of workers' compensation claims and he is very familiar with the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act 1958. He also has a detailed understanding of the interaction of this Act with the Accident Compensation Act 1985, and the issues facing Old Act Insurers when dealing with the VWA.
Coronial Inquests

Peter has acted for both private and public sector clients in many large-scale, sensitive coronial inquests. He is principal solicitor for the Department of Transport and supervises its involvement in coronial inquests.
Main Bio

Peter Coats (Partner, Victoria) is the head of the ICR group in Melbourne and the national head of insurance at the firm. He is responsible for major clients of the group such as Allianz Australia Insurance Limited, Vero Insurance Limited, the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority, Comcare, The Municipal Association of Victoria, Toyota Motor Corporation and the Victorian Department of Transport.

He handles sensitive litigation, where frequently the defendant's reputation is at risk. He accordingly handles and supervises a large number of asbestos claims, coronial inquests, liability claims and occupational health and safety prosecutions.

Peter also advises government departments, employers and insurance companies on matters relating to the Workers' Compensation Act 1958 and its interaction with the Accident Compensation Act 1985. He has significant experience in advising State and Federal Government bodies in relation to personal injuries litigation and risk management.

Disclaimer: Some of the information on this page refers to our experience in Australian States and Territories other than New South Wales. Due to advertising restrictions in New South Wales, we are prohibited from publishing information about some of the legal services which we provide in that State.