Business and Commercial

While a company or partnership structure carries with it a clear set of legal rights and obligations, the same is not necessarily the case for a joint venture.

While most business people have heard of trusts, it’s likely not as many really understand what they are or why you’d use one.

If your business has suffered financially during the pandemic, and you have business interruption insurance, you may be interested to follow the progress of a test case launched through the NSW Supreme Court system by the  Insurance Industry and Financial Services Ombudsman.

The recent Federal Court decision in Brett Cattle Company Pty Ltd v Minister for Agriculture [2020] FCA 732 (‘Brett Cattle’) has implications for future decisions by Federal government ministers in relation to not only the live cattle industry, but also other enterprises.

Commercial property is an asset class that can provide good returns if you buy at the right time, in the right place, and can install good tenants.

In short, this will depend on whether you plan ahead. You can decide in advance who can make decisions for you by preparing a legal document known as an Enduring Power of Attorney (“EPA”).

In short, this will depend on whether you plan ahead. You can decide in advance who can make decisions for you by preparing a legal document known as an Enduring Power of Attorney (“EPA”).

Going into business with close friends or associates as partners is, for many people, an ideal way to realise their entrepreneurial dreams. Like sole trading, a partnership business structure offers many advantages.

The Prime Minister announced the details of a $17.6 billion stimulus package to support businesses being disrupted by COVID-19.

Negative reviews from disgruntled customers are a reality that most businesses will have to face from time to time. But once those negative reviews are anonymously published online, business owners are often powerless to control their digital reputation.

The recent banking Royal Commission revealed that even in Australia’s largest, most reputable companies, there can be misconduct and illegal behaviour which it is in the public’s interest to know about.

Recently, the federal government introduced the Treasury Laws Amendment (Combating Illegal Phoenixing) Bill 2018 and the Insolvency Practice Rules (Corporations) Amendment (Restricting Related Creditor Voting Rights) Rules 2018 in a heightened attempt to combat illegal phoenix activity.

Legislation came into force recently that will affect the way we do business.
The Unfair Contracts legislation will potentially affect many of the “Standard Form” contracts we enter into.