Last month we discussed the vendor financing option for those farmers transferring their farms onto their children and allowing their children to pay off the price over time.
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A common misconception is that a trade mark is the same thing as a business name, company name or domain name. It’s not. Business, company and domain names, and trademarks are four distinct identifiers that serve different purposes in the marketplace and registration of them accords mar..
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Today, it is estimated that Australia has up to 24 million feral pigs. The Biosecurity Act 2014 protects Queensland’s economy, biodiversity and people’s lifestyles from the threats posed by invasive pests and diseases. Invasive pests include feral animals which impact on our native ..
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Given the spate of insolvencies in the construction industry, it is unsurprising that we have acted for a number of contractors who have received correspondence from liquidators: asserting that certain payments made to the particular contractor represent an “unfair preference”; and demandin..
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If you are in business, it would be normal for you to enter into contract arrangements with different parties as part of your general operations. Common types of contracts that business owners may encounter include supply contracts with suppliers and customers, leasing agreements with landlo..
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For contracting businesses operating in the mining industry, Contracts and Purchase Orders are just day to day business. You may accept a Purchase Order without even reading the terms and conditions attached.
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Comments you make on Facebook, as innocent as they seem, can cause significant damage to someone's reputation. We regularly see issues arising from people posting comments on Facebook without thinking about the potential legal consequences. Take a recent case between a separated husband..
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The Fair Work Commission (FWC) recently dismissed an unfair dismissal claim brought by an ex-employee of a small business that sells bathroom supplies and fittings*. In rejecting the application for unfair dismissal, the Commissioner observed: “It appeared much of the issue for Mr Kh..
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Earlier this year we launched our “Succession Planning” series. Our first two columns started with the basics and raised questions you should be considering when making your succession plan. You can review these here: Part One (/news/to-transfer-or-not-to-transfer-when-is-the-right-time) and Pa..
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Beware when signing Form 15 – you may be personally liable In a recent case the Queensland Court of Appeal held an engineer personally liable for signing an incorrect Form 15 (compliance certificate for building design or specification). The exact damages payable are yet to be decided but co..
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Earlier this year, we launched the Part One of our series on Succession Planning. (/news/to-transfer-or-not-to-transfer-when-is-the-right-time) This issue, we shall explore the options you have if you would like to transfer your farming business all at once (as opposed to over time). ..
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From 1 July, 2018, buyers of "new residential premises" or "new residential subdivisions" will be required to pay 1/11th of the purchase price to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) (instead of to the seller) at settlement. The New REIQ Residential Contract (15th Edition) The Real Esta..
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A recent decision of the Supreme Court* has provided a guidance as to the extent to which an adjudicator is required to give reasons for an adjudication decision pursuant to the Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004 (Qld) (‘the Act’). Hyatt Ground Engineering Pty Ltd (‘Hyatt’)..
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Can I terminate the lease if my tenant of my Commercial or Industrial Property goes into Administration or Receivership? Most leases have clauses which makes it an event of default and grounds to terminate the lease if certain insolvency events occur, like the tenant entering into administra..
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The Queensland Government (which had previously delayed implementation of the changes to Queensland’s security of payment law until 1 July 2018) has yet again pushed back the commencement date. Commencement date now set for 17 December 2018 This time, we are told that the changes will comm..
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Starting the process for negotiating an Enterprise Agreement can be fraught with traps and unwanted surprises. In this article we give 5 key items to address before you commence the process.
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On Friday last week the Fair Work Commission (FWC) granted award covered workers a 3.5% increase. The FWC lifted the national minimum wage by $24.30 a week or 64 cents an hour to take effect from the 1st July, 2018. The flow on effect to Awards is a 3.5% increase. For example, t..
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Increasingly, we are having to fix problems with trust deeds that come across our desk, due to a range of issues. Whilst these problems may not immediately jump out at you, they rear their heads when changes are made, and especially if the Deed needs to be registered with the Titles Office. ..
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There has been plenty of media on the new Vegetation and Management Laws that were passed by Parliament on 3 May this year. These new laws may have a great impact on many farmers’ ability to clear and manage their land in the future. The commencement date of these new laws is yet to be advi..
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Whilst no one wants to think about it, unfortunately death will come to all of us…and we do not know when. It is so important to have a well-drafted Will, in order to ensure that upon your death, your hard earned money, and precious assets: pass to the people you want; t..
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