The Australian Insurance Law Association (AILA) and the National Product Liability Association (NPLA) have signed an MoU to merge both bodies into one entity according to AILA National president Cameron Roberts. This will enable NPLA members, who are invited to join AILA, to develop national and chapter-level product liability subcommittees which will promote a better understanding of product liability risks, including insurance, loss prevention, recovery as well as risk management strategies to minimise exposure.

NPLA was established in 1983, the same year AILA was launched. However, NPLA president John Simpson said that it had become hard to maintain NPLA as a standalone entity because broader-focused organisations like AILA appeared more attractive to prospective members.

With the merger taking place, AILA members should benefit from the specialist expertise of NPLA members and NPLA members should benefit from the broader array of insurance topics covered at educational events hosted by AILA National and chapters around the states and territories.

AILA will also be able to offer a full service across the wide range of specialised fields within the insurance industry via this merger.

Commenting on the merger, Mr Simpson said, “It is a magnificent fit for both associations. We have been getting great traction with joint seminars we have hosted over the past four to five years, so this is a win-win (situation) for both.”

The MoU would ensure product liability remained an AILA focus and there would be more seminars about the Australian consumer law and other topics relevant to product liability insurance.

Former NPLA member Alexis Tartaglia, a lawyer with Lander & Rogers, has already joined the AILA Victoria committee to start spearheading the establishment of product liability subcommittees.

“It will be great to integrate with AILA but retain the traditional product liability focus,” she said.

NPLA was established in 1983, the same year AILA was launched. However, NPLA president John Simpson said that it had become hard to maintain NPLA as a standalone entity because broader-focused organisations like AILA appeared more attractive to prospective members.

With the merger taking place, AILA members should benefit from the specialist expertise of NPLA members and NPLA members should benefit from the broader array of insurance topics covered at educational events hosted by AILA National and chapters around the states and territories.

AILA will also be able to offer a full service across the wide range of specialised fields within the insurance industry via this merger.

Commenting on the merger, Mr Simpson said, “It is a magnificent fit for both associations. We have been getting great traction with joint seminars we have hosted over the past four to five years, so this is a win-win (situation) for both.”

The MoU would ensure product liability remained an AILA focus and there would be more seminars about the Australian consumer law and other topics relevant to product liability insurance.

Former NPLA member Alexis Tartaglia, a lawyer with Lander & Rogers, has already joined the AILA Victoria committee to start spearheading the establishment of product liability subcommittees.

“It will be great to integrate with AILA but retain the traditional product liability focus,” she said.