331-340 of 420 results
There's no such thing as a free lunch (or road): user charges and road pricing
Whether or not to more broadly adopt a user-pays model for road infrastructure is a contentious debate within Australia A number of industry participants and bodies have shown leadership in framing and enriching the debate while others have sought to politicise or inflame the core issues Partner ...
When are LDs a penalty?
The Supreme Court of Queensland recently considered whether liquidated damages in a standard form construction contract were a penalty In a decision that traversed long-held doctrines on penalties and recent developments in emAndrewsem and Paciocco the court ruled that the obligation to pay ...
The low down on tall towers in Melbourne
Recent press reports have made much of Leanne Hodyls Churchill Fellowship report findings that high-rise apartment towers are being built within Melbournes Hoddle Grid at four times the maximum densities allowed in cities such as Hong Kong New York and Tokyo In the light of this report Managing ...
VCAT advisory opinion outlines limits on recovery of certain landlord outgoings
A recent advisory opinion from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal outlines certain limits on the maintenance repair and compliance costs that a landlord can recover from tenants under Victorian leases particularly retail premises leases Partner John Beckinsale Special Counsel Christine ...
High Court 'moves' unanimously in defining the scope of consideration for tax purposes
Those involved in property development arrangements or business acquisitions should be aware of the tax implications of the recent High Court decision in Lend Lease Development that has broadened the scope of what forms the consideration for the transfer of dutiable property The High Court found ...
Contractors face uphill battle restraining security calls
The Supreme Court of Western Australia has dismissed a subcontractors application for an interlocutory injunction restraining a call on a bank guarantee Partners Nick Rudge and Jeremy Quan-Sing and Lawyer Evan Lacey discuss the decision and its implications ...
NSW imposes stamp duty surcharge on foreign purchasers of residential land
New South Wales has introduced a stamp duty surcharge of 4 per cent for direct and indirect acquisitions of residential land by foreign purchasers, with effect from 21 June 16. A land tax surcharge of 0.75 per cent will also be imposed on residential land owned by foreign persons, commencing 31/12 ...
When performance is personal – the hazards of subcontracting without consent
A recent NSW Court of Appeal decision emphasises the importance of contractors complying with contractual requirements to obtain the principal's approval before subcontracting services or works. Failure to do so may disentitle the contractor from claiming payment for services that the unauthorised subcontractors have provided. However, the case leaves open whether it may be possible for a contractor to recover the cost of unauthorised subcontracted services in restitution based on a quantum meruit claim, or on the basis of an unenforceable penalty. ...
Australian landholder duty: avoid the pitfalls of an ever expanding duty base
An increased focus on taxing indirect real property transfers has seen the 'land-rich' or 'landholder' duty rules expand significantly over the years, resulting in far more transactions being liable to duty. ...
Compliance with multi-tiered dispute resolution clauses
The Queensland Supreme Court has stayed proceedings on the basis that the parties did not follow the agreed contractual provisions for the proper escalation of a dispute Partner Leighton OBrien Senior Associate Julian Berenholtz and Law Graduate Flora Ma report on the decision that emphasises the ...