Our snapshot of the Australian IP highlights of 2020 and the key developments to watch in 2021, covering: Copyright & Designs; Trade marks; Patents; and Franchising. ...

This article highlights the three particularly significant cases that have informed some of the major industrial law reforms proposed by the Government in December 2020, incl: Rossato, Mondelez and Qantas stand downs. ...

With Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout expected to commence in February, many employers are considering whether they can mandate vaccinations for employees entering their workplace. ...

The demand for electricity in Vietnam is rising rapidly to power the growing economy. Forecasts predict an annual growth rate for  electricity of ‘near-double’ digits in the years to come. We provide an overview of the Vietnamese renewable energy market and discuss recent developments. ...

The debt facilities refinance stage 1 of Canberra's light rail network, which began operations in 2019 and is the largest single infrastructure project ever undertaken by the Australian Capital ...

The aim of the Enhanced Framework is to ensure that Australia is sufficiently positioned to respond to decommissioning challenges and to ensure the Australian regime is clear, fit for purpose and leading practice. ...

The PPA, which is designed to meet part of the future energy requirements for Newcrest's Cadia Mine in central western NSW, is for approximately 55 per cent of the output of the proposed ~400MW Rye ...

The Federal Government's insolvency reform package relating to small business provides for a debt restructuring process intended to give eligible small businesses the flexibility to restructure debts while the directors remain in control of the business, and for a new simplified liquidation process for small business. ...

The Financial Sector Reform (Hayne Royal Commission Response No. 2) Bill 2020 aims to implement the Hayne Royal Commission recommendations in relation to changes to ongoing advice fee arrangements, superannuation trustees passing on advice fees and requiring AFSL holders or authorised representatives (providing entity) to disclose a lack of independence when providing personal advice to retail clients. ...

In the absence of the Responsible Lending Obligations, lending by Australian banks will be regulated by APRA. This means the new Credit Risk Management Prudential Standard (APS220) will be the central legislative guidance in designing consumer assessment and lending protocols. ...