It’s not uncommon for some businesses and employers to think they are not covered by the modern award system, particularly if they have engaged employees pursuant to a contract of employment or a letter of offer setting out an employee’s basic terms, conditions and rate of pay. For some businesses that may be right if...
A fundamental principle of free speech in our country is that people, including journalists, are at liberty to express their genuinely held opinion about others. When does the expression of this freedom become defamatory? According to the Federal Court in the January 2021 decision of Stead v Fairfax Media Publications, defamation may occur when the...
We provide the following guidelines on two relevant matters which have arisen as a result of legislative changes and have an impact on trusts (including testamentary trusts) which relate to: changes to the excepted (exempt) income for minor beneficiaries under testamentary trusts; and the impact upon all trust deeds regarding foreign persons as beneficiaries. I am...
It’s 10 years since provisions of the Australian Consumer Law came into effect, declaring unfair terms in standard form consumer contracts void. It’s almost 4 years since the provisions were extended to cover unfair terms in small business contracts as well. Examples of cases where contract terms were declared void because of unfairness include: A...
The change in the Sydney All Groups consumer price index (‘CPI’) between the March quarter 2020 and the June quarter 2020 was -2.3%. The change between the June quarter 2019 and the June quarter 2020 was -1%. Other Australian capital cities’ CPIs are also ‘in negative territory’. Existing lease of commercial or industrial premises If...
If a foreign person buys residential land in New South Wales, a surcharge of 8 per cent is payable in addition to the transfer duty. If a foreign person owns residential land in New South Wales, a surcharge of 2 per cent is payable in addition to land tax – perhaps even if no land...
Protecting your reputation starts with simplifying the complex. This handy checklist should quickly point you in the right direction and help you understand whether you have a case, and where to start to secure the best possible outcome.
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Legal Practitioners at Atkinson Vinden are members of the scheme.
