Articles

Competition law 'root and branch' review

The Government has now released draft terms of reference for its "root and branch" review of Australia's competition laws. The terms of reference are extremely broad, focus on protecting small...

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Consequential loss revisited: Regional Power v Pacific Hydro Group [2013] WASC 356

In the October 2013 issue of Acumen, we gave an overview of the divergence in approach of courts in England, Australia and New Zealand in the interpretation of ...consequential... or ...indirect......

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Construction claim enforcement

What options are available to a contractor if it receives a favourable adjudication determination under security of payment legislation, but the principal still does not...

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De Rose v State of South Australia

The State of South Australia (State) will pay compensation to the De Rose Hill Nguraritja people for the extinguishment of their native title rights and interests following the delivery of the...

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Fair Work Commission workplace bullying jurisdiction - now in operation

The Fair Work Commission's workplace bullying jurisdiction commenced on 1 January 2014. This article provides insight into the operation of the jurisdiction and how your organisation can...

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In-house privilege - Archer Capital 4A v Sage Group (No 2)

Determining whether legal professional privilege applies to the communications of in-house counsel has traditionally involved the preliminary question as to whether the employed lawyer is...

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Liquidator disclaims - High Court proclaims

The High Court of Australia recently considered two issues relating to a liquidator's power to disclaim a lease granted by the company in liquidation. The first issue was whether a lease is a...

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Two landmark cases but the jury is still out...

Conflicting decisions on the nature of multi-channel distribution models - the ANZ and Flight Centre cases - Two recent Federal Court decisions provide contradictory and irreconcilable conclusions...

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Australian foreign bribery update - 2013 in review

The year in Australia for foreign bribery and corruption matters has been mixed. While the singular Securency prosecution has become delayed in legal argument with the committal hearing yet to be...

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International foreign bribery developments - November 2013

There have been a number of recent developments in Australia and overseas in relation to the risks associated with foreign bribery and corruption. Please insert this Update behind the Updates tab...

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Will your cartel immunity documents be disclosed to private parties seeking follow-on damages?

The position in Australia and the EU -- The ACCC's Immunity Policy is a crucial tool for detecting illegal cartel conduct by providing incentives for cartel participants to 'blow the whistle' and

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Workwise - addressing social media risks in the workplace

In this article we look at some of the areas of law relevant to social media (intellectual property, privacy, media and defamation, consumer protection and employment, as well as continuous...

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Proposed update to ASX corporate governance guidelines

On 16 August 2013, the ASX released two consultation papers in relation to its Corporate Governance guidelines: one, proposing updates to the Corporate Governance Principles & Recommendations; and...

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ASIC Regulatory Guide 251: Derivative Transaction Reporting

The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) released Regulatory Guide 251. RG 251) in...

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Foreign investment under Australia's new government

Australia's new Federal Government was elected on 7 September 2013 and this paper looks at the likely effect of the new government's foreign investment policy on the inflow of capital into...

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Information technology: consequential loss clauses

Recent decisions in England, Australia and New Zealand highlight the uncertainty surrounding the interpretation and application of exclusion clauses that use 'catch-all' language such as...

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Redundancy and adverse action - calling all decision makers

Since the High Court's landmark decision in Board of Bendigo Regional Institute of Technical and Further Education v Barclay [2012] HCA 32, there has been an increasing focus on the identity and...

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ASX Guidance Note 8 on Continuous Disclosure

ASX's new Guidance Note 8: Continuous Disclosure: Listing Rules 3.1 - 3.1B (GN8) became effective on

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Retail corporate bonds: not yet available at Coles or Woolies

Is your desk bending under the weight of a pile of monotonously similar, simple, clear-concise-and-effective, two-part retail bond prospectuses? No? Before you call your broker, read...

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The Corporations Legislation Amendment (Remuneration Disclosures and Other Measures) Bill 2012

The Parliamentary Secretary released an Exposure Draft - Corporations Legislation Amendment (Remuneration Disclosures and Other Measures) Bill 2012 and the associated Explanatory Memorandum to the

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Workwise - company liability for sexual harassment

In the recent case of Richardson v Oracle Corporation Australia Pty Ltd [2013] FCA 102, the Federal Court highlighted the importance of employers having proper policies and training which reflect...

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Australian Foreign Bribery Review 2012 - what does 2013 herald?

The last 12 months saw a flourish of activity in the foreign bribery space. 2013 is likely to see an increasing focus on cross-border corruption investigations, closer cooperation between...

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Australia's new transfer pricing regime

On 13 February 2013, the Federal Government introduced Tax Laws Amendment (Countering a Tax Avoidance and Multinational Profit Shifting) Bill 2013 (Bill) into Parliament. The Bill, if enacted, will...

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Changes to Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act

The Tax Laws Amendment (Countering Tax Avoidance and Multinational Profit Sharing) Bill 2012 (Cth) (Bill) was introduced into the House of Representatives on...

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