The Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission Grant Robertson says he wants an appeal of the High Court decision K. & A. Dodds v Southern Response Earthquake Services Ltd to be heard as soon as soon as possible.

The case is about what happens to historical insurance settlements if the law changes, and whether Southern Response has a legal obligation to go back in time and pay claimants more than they were entitled to at the time their claim was settled.

Grant Robertson hopes that the proceedings will provide clarity and enable the Crown to work with Southern Response to provide a “soundly based proactive solution to those people that are affected.”