Shareholder Agreements – Avoiding Shareholder and Director Disputes
Table of Contents Shareholder and director disputes At the outset of a new business venture the risk of a dispute may seem far fetched. However, the practical reality that we often see is that disputes in one form or another frequently arise over time for example due to differences of opinion. These differences can easily […]
Casual Workers Fair Work Amendment 2021 | HG Law
The Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia’s Jobs and Economic Recovery) Bill makes changes for casual employees.
Automation, artificial intelligence and legal issues
By Newyorka Musabelliu and Chris Chang – January 2020 It is not surprising that the law cannot keep up with the growth in artificial intelligence. Patent applications have already been filed on behalf of and in the name of a machine called Dabus that used AI to design two products[1]. Nevertheless, progress is being made […]
Unenforceable Penalty Clauses & Agreed Damages in Contracts
Table of Contents When negotiating a contract the parties commonly think about what should happen in the event that the other party breaches a term of the contract. They may also wish to stipulate what should happen upon the occurrence of a certain event (which may not technically constitute a “breach” of the contract). The […]
Damages for Republication of Defamatory Statement by Third Party
Milne v Ell [2017] NSWSC 555 Home This case serves as a reminder of how liability for defamatory statements can extend to the republication of the statement by third parties, even where the republication has not been expressly authorised (but impliedly authorised). In summary, an original publisher will be liable for the repetition of his […]
Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Bill 2017
The Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Bill 2017 (Bill) was introduced by the House of Representatives on 1 March 2017. A report of the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee is presently due by 9 May 2017. It is anticipated that the Bill (in its current form or otherwise with amendments) will receive Royal […]
Protecting your brand & trade mark registration
Before choosing your brand: We have previously discussed important considerations when choosing the name of your business. Before you decide upon your brand (which may consist of a letter, word, name, number, logo, aspect of packaging, shape, colour, sound or scent) and launch it (including before you register your domain name) a trade mark availability […]
Do I Need a Privacy Policy on My Website in Australia?
The answer is mostly likely “yes”, even if you are a small business with annual turnover of less than $3,000,000. Under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act), various types of entities are, in summary, required to comply with a prescribed set of 13 “Australian Privacy Principles”. The first principle requires a clearly expressed and […]
Minimum Employment Terms and Conditions in Australia
Employers who wish to sponsor skilled employees from overseas are, in summary, required under the subclass 457 scheme to provide terms and conditions which are at least equivalent to those which an Australian citizen or permanent resident would achieve performing the same work at the same location. This is an ongoing requirement not least because […]
Australian Branch Overseas Business vs Australian Subsidiary Company
This article focuses on two frequently used methods for foreign companies to carry on business in Australia. Frequently, foreign companies do so either by establishing an Australian branch of their existing overseas business (i.e. it is the overseas business which trades in Australia) or, alternatively, the foreign company establishes an Australian company as a subsidiary […]