Insurance lawyers from Hong Kong and Singapore have attended last week’s Australian Insurance Law Association’s (AILA) annual conference in Hobart, reflecting the growth of insurance in the Asia-Pacific region.

Members of the association also elected three corporate members to the board, which National President David Lee says demonstrates the significant expansion of corporate membership.

When Mr Lee, a partner at Lee & Lyons, started his three-year term last year he identified a need to re-engage with industry at the most senior level. Another priority has been to develop relationships with law associations abroad.

Mr Lee told insuranceNEWS.com.au Asian insurance is growing rapidly, particularly in Singapore, because of the Lloyd’s business being done there.

He says there is strong interest in insurance law education and work is under way to form a regional committee of insurance lawyers.

The peak global body, the Association Internationale de Droit des Assurances (AIDA), has chapters in Hong Kong and Singapore and groups are being developed in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Corporate members to join AILA’s board are Assetinsure National Manager Claims Susan Vidler, CGU Professional Risks National Legal and Claims Manager Allison Grice and QBE Long-tail Claims Manager NSW/ACT Raj Kanhai.