Company directors must be aware that you have less than two weeks left to apply for a Director Identification Number (DIN), or risk exposure to a substantial monetary penalty. The introduction of the DIN initiative seeks to promote good corporate governance and...
NSW Government overhauls construction industry following introduction of legislative reforms
Introduction The issue of defective work in the construction industry, particularly as it concerns residential developments, has been an issue of public concern for many years and has attracted significant publicity. Forming part of the suite of reforms recently...
Penalties to increase under proposed amendments to Competition and Consumer Law
The Federal Government released exposure draft legislation aimed at increasing penalties for contraventions of Australia’s competition and consumer laws. In August 2022, the Federal Government released the Treasury Laws Amendment (Competition and Consumer Reforms No....
Congratulations John Gray – 50 years as a legal practitioner!
Congratulations to Partner John Gray! John recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of his admission as a legal practitioner. The team at ClarkeKann are honoured to share in this remarkable achievement and proud to call John a colleague and friend. Over the course of...
Does a secured creditor need a Court order to take possession of livestock under s 138C of the PPSA by unlawful means?
Section 138C of the Personal Properties Securities Act 2009 (Cth) (PPSA) provides for the seizure and disposal or retention of livestock by a secured party. It is in addition to the general power of seizure the subject of section 123 of the PPSA. The Federal Court...
Land and Environment Court of NSW rejects notion of ‘Retail Pharmacy’ alleged to be in breach of CDC
The Land and Environment Court in Bronger v Greenway Health Centre Pty Ltd t/as Greenway Plaza Pharmacy [2022] NSWLEC 91 rejected a claim that the operation of a pharmacy in the Greenway Medical Hub was an impermissible retail pharmacy. Key Takeaways The terms 'retail...
Court Strikes Down Declaration of Heritage Listing
Key Takeaways Decisions by consent authorities to list buildings in the state's heritage register are vulnerable to legal challenge if the decision is not supported by reasons which have ‘regard to any statutory requirements applying to the decision’. Consent...
“Substantially the same”: Court dismisses modification application for failure to satisfy statutory test
A recent decision by the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales has provided clarification on the statutory test for modification applications involving several elements. Key Takeaways Any proposal to modify an original development must ensure that the modified...
Is a personal guarantee always binding?
In the current environment with rising inflation and interest rates, there is more pressure on business owners and individuals to ensure financial obligations are met. This is particularly so when these obligations have been guaranteed by business owners, directors,...
Out of Time
How, and when, documents should properly served under the terms of a contract is a common, but important issue. While proper service may appear straightforward, getting it wrong can detrimentally affect the exercise of contractual rights under a particular contract....
Sole Director? Be aware of your duties
Key takeaways The sole director of a company was found to have breached his duties as a director by causing the company, which was in difficult financial circumstances, to make unsecured loans to another company associated with the director. It is important for...
Chris Kintis named as Finalist for Mentor of the Year 2022
We are delighted to announce that ClarkeKann Lawyers Partner Chris Kintis has been named as Finalist for Mentor of the Year 2022 in the Australian Law Awards. As a firm we're all about supporting our people and it's great to have Chris' commitment to the team...