261-270 of 426 results
First shareholder class action judgment
The Federal Court has handed down the first judgment in a shareholder class action. There is plenty in the decision for board members and senior executives to consider in the application of the continuous disclosure laws. ...
If in doubt, get the whitewash out
The High Court's first decision on the financial assistance prohibition in section 260A of the Corporations Act supports a conservative approach to the prohibition, and in particular highlights the danger of 'taking a view' on the no material prejudice exception. ...
ALRC's Discussion Paper released: a clearer, consistent and more rational framework for addressing corporate misconduct in Australia
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 wait is over: Equator Principles 4 is here
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. ...
Using 'reasonable endeavours' - the importance of internal contractual standards
The High Court has recently highlighted the significance of internal contractual standards when interpreting an obligation to use reasonable endeavours Partner Nick Rudge and Lawyers Goran Gelic and Timothy Leschke report on this development and its implications ...
Material adverse change
In a recent decision the New South Wales Supreme Court held that a sufficiently significant failure to meet budget expectations could constitute a material adverse change and upheld the lenders right to serve a default notice and accelerate repayment on this basis Partner Diccon Loxton and Lawyer ...
Penalties: The final word
The High Court decision in Paciocco v Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, provides welcome clarity on the application of the 'penalties rule' implicating a broad range of sectors. ...
Being 'professional' under D&O insurance policies
In a recent decision the Full Federal Court has clarified the scope of a professional services exclusion in a Directors Officers insurance policy Partner Andrew Maher and Senior Associate Andrew Lazzaro report on a case that gives some guidance on the relationship between professional indemnity and ...
Finally - a class action regime for Queensland
Class actions in Queensland are one step closer with the introduction of proposed new legislation into the Queensland Parliament Partner Michael Ilott Special Counsel Robyn Morrison and Senior Associate Suzie Fraser report ...
E-signature - a case study, but not a test case
A recent New South Wales Court of Appeal decision concerned a guarantee purportedly signed by e-signature without the guarantors knowledge It is an interesting case-study though the decision is really about ostensible authority and ratification Senior Finance Counsel Diccon Loxton considers its ...