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Vidal Hockless

Partner

Perth

+61 8 6317 0409 0403 380 257

Vidal is a damages litigation lawyer with extensive experience in workers’ compensation/employers’ indemnity, coverage and contractual indemnity issues, public and products liability, CTP insurance claims, medical malpractice, employment and safety law.

EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

Vidal joined Moray & Agnew from Kott Gunning in December 2021 where he was a partner since 1985 and served as managing partner between 1997 and 2005. Vidal was responsible for the establishment of Kott Gunning’s insurance practice in 1989 and Workplace Risk practice in 2009. 

Over the course of his career, Vidal has acted for clients at every level of commerce and industry, including insurers, brokers, overseas underwriters, TPAs, local authorities, public and private companies and local businesses.

In addition to a substantial practice in claims and litigation, Vidal has a particular interest in strategic advisory work in claims management, litigation and other portfolio based issues. Vidal also undertakes client and in-house training and frequently presents on topical issues within his practice area.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Vidal has managed the litigation in many cases arising from the workers’ compensation jurisdiction that have gone on to the Court of Appeal including the frequently cited Mitchel v Canal Rocks.  Last year Vidal and his team saw the completion of claims and litigation settlement for a major casualty insurer on defence of product liability claims amounting to over $30m extending over some 11 years.     

Vidal regularly provides services to the Law Society of WA and was advisor to the Law Society in relation to the establishment in WA of the current Professional Services Scheme for lawyers.

Recognition

Ranked as both a Leading and a Recommended Lawyer – Workers Compensation (Defendant) in Western Australia by Doyle’s Guide from 2016 to date.

Ranked in the peer-reviewed Best Lawyers® in Australia list for:

  • Insurance Law since 2020
  • Product Liability Litigation since 2022
  • Personal Injury Litigation 2025

Expertise

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Law, 1976, University of Western Australia
  • Bachelor of Jurisprudence, 1975, University of Western Australia

Memberships

  • Law Society of Western Australia – Chair of Professional Standards Committee and Member of the Personal Injuries and Workers’ Compensation Committee
  • Australian Insurance Law Association of Australia
  • Law Council of Australia