The Australian Law Reform Commission released for consultation today a set of proposals aimed at overhauling the federal corporate criminal responsibility regime. This comes in the wake of criticisms that the current system is ineffective in preventing, deterring and prosecuting serious corporate crime. Whilst the reforms offer a clearer, consistent and more rational framework for addressing corporate misconduct in Australia, some elements (such as the adoption of a general 'associate' model for criminal attribution) will no doubt raise concern given their capacity to significantly extend corporate liability. We examine some of the key proposals and their likely impact. Partner Christopher Kerrigan and Senior Overseas Practitioner Cindy McNair report. ...

The Equator Principles Association unveiled the finalised fourth version of the Equator Principles (EP4) on 18 November 2019. Set for an effective date of 1 July 2020, EP4 heightens requirements for designated OECD countries and tightens due diligence assessments with a greater focus on human rights, climate change and biodiversity. While there are many improvements and refinements from the draft we reviewed in June, the only potentially material change is a compromise on the 'free prior and informed consent' requirement for affected Indigenous communities. ...

The case of Cantor v Audi provides insights into what you should consider before providing privileged documents to a regulator. ...

In this issue we look at how post-employment restraints can be unenforceable if a company does not comply with the employment contract itself a decision of the Federal Court that confirms an employee who is on long-term sick leave must continue to have regular contact with their employer and a ...

Allens has adopted e-signature using DocuSign as a service to clients. Senior Finance Counsel Diccon Loxton has written an article in two parts that examines the efficacy of e-signatures. ...

The Australian Bankers Association last year commissioned Stephen Sedgwick to undertake a review of remuneration in retail banking ...

In this update, our colleagues at Linklaters highlight the impact of Brexit on the prospectus, transparency and market abuse regimes for UK listed companies, if the United Kingdom leaves the EU on or after 31 October 2019 without a withdrawal agreement and transition period (a 'no-deal' Brexit). ...

ASIC has released its first report focusing on director and officer oversight of non-financial risk in seven large financial services companies (the First Report). While the report focuses on financial services companies, ASIC points out expressly that all companies, regardless of sector, should read and engage with the findings of this report. ...

Allens has secured ACCC clearance on behalf of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company ( DuPont ) for its proposed merger with The Dow Chemical Company ( Dow ). The ACCC decision follows DuPont's joint ...

With the end of the transitional period under the personal property securities legislation fast approaching those entities that rely upon having interests in property held by others must act now to ensure those interests are properly registered even where they are transitional so there is no loss of ...