The Queensland District Court has recently considered whether set-off is available in respect of unfair preference claims. The decision of the Queensland District Court in Morton & Anor v Rexel Electrical Supplies Pty Ltd [2015] QDC 49(“Rexel”) has re-ignited...
The President’s Award – Strata Community Australia (NSW)
Ian McKnight, a consultant in our Property & Projects team in Sydney, was presented with The President’s Award at the annual convention of Strata Community Australia (NSW) held earlier this month. The Award is regarded as the most prestigious of the awards...
Foreign Investment changes and the effects on Agriculture
FOREIGN INVESTMENT REVIEW BOARD (“FIRB”) CHANGES EFFECTIVE 1 DECEMBER 2015 1. RURAL LAND At present, foreign persons are required to obtain FIRB approval prior to acquiring an interest in rural land in Australia where the combined value of the rural land and any other...
Foreign Investment changes and the effects on Developers
FOREIGN INVESTMENT REVIEW BOARD (“FIRB”) CHANGES EFFECTIVE 1 DECEMBER 2015 Foreign persons are required to apply for FIRB Approval prior to purchasing residential real estate in Australia. Currently, there are no fees payable to FIRB by a buyer for the making of this...
Unfair Contract Provisions and Small Business
On 20 October 2015 the Treasury Legislation Amendment (Small Business and Unfair Contract Terms) Bill 2015 passed both houses of Parliament. This means that the unfair contract term provisions set out in the Australian Consumer Law and Australian Securities and...
Increased Protection for Off-the-Plan Purchasers in NSW
Proposed reforms to the Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) On 23 September 2015, Victor Dominello, the NSW Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation announced a public consultation on the use of sunset clauses to terminate off the plan property contracts. NSW has seen an...
Checklist of Legal / Risk Issues for Publishers
Media & Technology lawyer, Peter Karcher, takes a look at some key risk areas for Publishers. MASTHEAD PROTECTION Register your mastheads as trade marks. Domain names, Business and company name registrations don’t give you protection for the name as against other...
Employment & Industrial Relations Online: When can you ask employees for a medical certificate?
IN THIS ISSUE When can you ask employees for a medical certificate or other evidence of illness? Can an employer question the validity of a medical certificate? Other than casual employees, all employees have a right to take paid personal leave in circumstances...
A Long Way from Home: The Fair Work Act in a Global Setting
As published in CK Momentum Issue 8 (Click here to download) The global nature of business means that the employment relationship is no longer confined to the Australian mainland. Employees completing international placements as part of their tenure (either...
CK Agribusiness Group at the Ekka
As published in CK Momentum Issue 8 (Click here to download) Following on from the involvement of our Agribusiness Group in the Beef Australia Expo in Rockhampton in May, members of the Group were involved in a number of events during the Brisbane Ekka in...
CK Employment & Industrial Relations: Doyles Guide Recommendation
As published in CK Momentum Issue 8 (Click here to download) ClarkeKann has again been recommended in Doyles Guide as a leading Queensland firm for Employment & Industrial Relations. Congratulations to Partner, Belinda Hapgood, and the whole E&IR team!
Joint Conference – Australia & Taiwan
As published in CK Momentum Issue 8 (Click here to download) CK recently sponsored the 29th Joint Conference of the Australia-Taiwan Business Council and its Taiwan counterpart, the Republic of China-Australia Business Council, held in Darwin on 3 and 4 September...