Articles
Litigation View all
Spray Drift Claims – Our Experience
In the last decade or so, a number of cases have been decided by various state courts regarding damage caused by chemical spray drift onto a... Read More
Small Business Insolvency Reforms – Draft Legislation Released
In the midst of the current recession and with the fear that there will be a very significant wave of insolvencies once many of the Covid-19... Read More
Update on financial assistance available to small and medium businesses (SMEs)
This is a summary only, and as at 7 April 2020. The situation is fast moving so update yourself regularly to ensure you have current... Read More
The Covid-19 Pandemic – Helping Directors To Steer Their Businesses Through The Economic Crisis in Australia
Over the weekend, the Federal Government announced changes to Australia’s insolvent trading laws and have taken other measures in an attempt... Read More
Accountant, Director or Defendant? You Can Be Personally Liable
As an accountant or director, you regularly think about Section 550 of the Fair Work Act , and similar provisions, don’t you? ... Read More
Shareholder Oppression - Court of Appeal dismisses appeal in the long running “Wine in a Can” case
In a decision which was handed down on 19 December 2018, in Knights Quest Pty Ltd and Anor. V Daiwa Can Company and Anor [2018] VSCA 349... Read More
Commercial View all
Purchasing a Small Business
When purchasing a small business, that is a maximum price of $450,000.00, a section 52 Statement must be provided by the Vendor. The section 52... Read More
New Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021
The residential tenancy landscape in Victoria is changing rapidly, and it’s not just because of COVID. The much awaited Residential... Read More
Land transfer (stamp) duty waiver for residential property transactions of up to $1 million for Victorians
The State Government of Victoria has recently announced a land transfer (stamp) duty waiver for the purchase of residential properties in Victoria... Read More
Negotiating rent relief during the COVID-19 pandemic
On 29 September 2020, the COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) (Commercial Leases and Licences) Regulations 2020 were amended and as a result... Read More
First Home Loan Deposit Scheme (FHLDS)
From 1 January 2020, the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) will be in partnership with lenders to administer a new... Read More
Unfair Contract Terms – Protecting the Little Guy
Small business owners will need to consider the enforceability of their business to business standard term contracts following the recent... Read More
Employment/Work Place Relations View all
Common Myths of Unfair Dismissal Claims in the Fair Work Commission
Myth Number 1: An employee can pursue an Unfair Dismissal Claim in the Fair Work Commission if they are... Read More
The Great Disappointment that is Enterprise Bargaining
Leading into, and out of, the recent National Jobs and Skills Summit, a lot of discussion revolved around the failing enterprise bargaining... Read More
When is it too late? – Revoking (withdrawing) an offer of employment
In acting for employers, a common enquiry we receive goes something like this: “ Brooke, I thought I found the perfect candidate for... Read More
BlueScope Steel Port Kembla’s (“BlueScope”) Operational Review 2014-2015
In the face of reduced profitability following the decreased demand for steel in Australian and global markets, BlueScope commenced a detailed... Read More
Removal of Car and iPhone During Gardening Leave Breached Employment Contract
The Victorian Supreme Court recently found that an employer who took away its National Sales Manager’s car, iPhone and iPad... Read More
Security firm avoids redundancy pay because of “ordinary and customary turnover of labour”
In a recent decision, the Fair Work Commission has decided that a security firm need not pay redundancy pay to an employee dismissed when it lost... Read More
Family Law View all
It’s time to consider arbitration in family law matters
As the Family Courts face overwhelming demand, judges are encouraging parties to turn to arbitration. As practitioners, we should be promoting... Read More
Navigating family law during COVID-19: things parents ought to know
As the impacts of COVID-19 continue to be felt, many of our clients are embarking upon unfamiliar territory in many different areas of their... Read More
Treatment of Loans in Family Law Matters
With the “Bank of Mum and Dad” being ranked as one of Australia’s top home lenders, both parents and their children alike should... Read More
Tough Love: BFA’s keeping it in the Family
Families work hard to build up a sound business, accumulate assets and some are lucky enough to have children interested in participating in the... Read More
Facebook & Family Law
With the introduction of the social networking site Facebook, people are communicating and sharing more information online. Although the site... Read More
Family Law Reforms
A major change in Family Law in Australia occurred in March 2009. The Family Court now has jurisdiction to deal with disputes concerning... Read More