In February 2014, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited ("ANZ") appointed KordaMentha Pty Ltd ("KordaMentha") as receivers and managers of the mining services firm, Forge Group Limited ("Forge"). Forge had secured debts of approximately $500 million,...
Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way (of Avoiding Estate Disputes)
As published in CK Momentum Issue 2 (Click here to download) For most of us, the idea of our family members having a dispute over their entitlements under our Will is distressing. Litigation & Insolvency Partner, Sarah Davies, looks at some of the steps you can...
Legal Risks of Social Media
As published in CK Momentum Issue 3 (Click here to download) In an article profiling a social media consulting business, The Australian recently commented that in 2008, when the business was founded, the number of times the term “social media risk” was searched on...
Employee Share Scheme Reform Finally Here!
As published in CK Momentum Issue 7 (Click here to download) Legislation has finally passed both houses of Parliament to improve the taxation treatment of Employee Share Schemes (“ESS”) and in particular provide some concessions to startups looking to implement an...
Fintech Hub Stone & Chalk Experience Overwhelming Demand
As published in CK Momentum Issue 7 (Click here to download) Stone & Chalk describes itself as “an independent, not for profit Fintech hub whose overarching objective is to help foster and accelerate the development of world leading Fintech startups”. Before it...
Its Taking Off! Australia’s Startup Economy
As published in CK Momentum Issue 7 (Click here to download) Cloud based tech companies, scalability and disruptive technology. Small, agile startups rushing to innovate and find a gap in the market. It is activity on a scale that has never been seen before. The...
Practical Considerations in Lease Negotiations
As published in CK Momentum Issue 7 (Click here to download) Congratulations! You are ready to start scaling your business and take on your first commercial lease! Now comes the negotiations with the landlord on the commercial terms of lease. Here we list some tips...
When a Full and Final Settlement Might Not be as Full and Final as Intended
The High Court's recent Judgment in Lavin v Toppi contains useful reminders and guidance on the liability of co-sureties. Litigation & Insolvency Associate, Adam Khan, looks at the broader implications of the case. THE FACTS Mrs Lavin and Ms Toppi guaranteed a...
UPDATE: The China-Australia Free Trade
As published in CK Momentum Issue 6 (Click here to download) In our previous issue, we broadly addressed the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (“ChAFTA”). For Australia, the winners are the dairy, mining and services sectors which will benefit from the eventual...
What’s News in the Agribusiness Sector?
As published in CK Momentum Issue 6 (Click here to download) The Australian agribusiness sector continues to be the focus of strong interest from foreign investors, commentators and the Federal Government. Predictions over the last few years have proved reasonably...
BCIPA Update: Further Amendments & Time Considerations
The Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004 (“BCIPA”) underwent significant amendments which were passed by Parliament on 11 September 2014. FURTHER AMENDMENTS Since we last reported on the amendments to the BCIPA, the Queensland Government has passed...
Good Faith Under the New Standard Contract
The consultation period recently ended for draft AS11000 General Conditions of Contracts (“AS 11000”) from Standards Australia. AS11000 isa new standard contract that is intended to provide general guidance for legal contracts in all sectors of industry, including...