GCA acted in a major class action against Southern Response on behalf of around 3000 claimants, arising from alleged concealment of information relevant to Canterbury earthquake insurance claims. The case resulted in a historic first opt-out order and a settlement under which eligible class members recovered 100% of their assessed damages.

GCA Lawyers acted for a commercial property owner in a complex High Court insurance dispute involving multi-event earthquake damage, competing forensic engineering assessments and a seven-figure claim, achieving a negotiated settlement.

GCA advanced a class action for former AMI policyholders, against SRESL, and organised litigation funding support. The proceedings alleged that Southern Response applied ‘a deliberate strategy to minimise policyholders claim entitlements’ in breach of the insurance policy and the law. After the Court of Appeal permitted the case to proceed the government quickly moved to settle the claims and proceedings were formally discontinued. A specialised private determination process then proceeded before retired-Justice Panckhurst to finalise quantum due to each policyholder.