With the new Franchising Code of Conduct and civil pecuniary penalties set to commence in 2015 a recent Full Federal Court decision is a timely warning to franchising parties to ensure their practices comply with the Code ...

The Australian and Chinese governments have concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement that will reduce tariff barriers on the majority of Australian exports to China The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed that the treaty will include an investor-state dispute ...

The Federal Government has announced new regulatory measures that it hopes will create a more competition-friendly telecommunications environment and ensure that the National Broadband Network NBN is rolled out across the nation as quickly as possible Two new Government policy papers released last ...

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 ...

Vietnams new Law on Bankruptcy will take effect from 1 January 2015 bringing in a number of changes including a new definition of bankruptcy Partner Robert Fish and Junior Associates Giang Quang Nguyen and Linh Nguyen look at the most significant features of the new law and note what will differ ...

In 2014 the Australian Securities and Investments Commission ASIC was chastened by the Senate Economics References Committee which wants ASIC to be more effective but encouraged by the Financial System Inquiry which wants ASIC to take on greater powers Meanwhile the Federal Government has reduced ...

The recent settlement of the Great Southern class action raises a number of interesting and important issues not only because the court took the unusual step of publishing its reasons for judgment after the settlement had been announced ...

GST is to be applied to the supply of services and other intangibles by non-residents to Australian consumers under legislation proposed to apply from 1 July 2017 This will include the supply of digital products and the supply of other services The liability for GST on such supplies made through an ...

In response to its concerns about the potential risks associated with shared computing services including cloud computing APRA has issued an information paper that sets out prudential considerations and key principles for APRA-regulated entities using such services Partner Michael Morris Senior ...

This week ASIC flagged a change in its approach to the exercise of its power to make orders to recover expenses and costs associated with investigations Information Sheet 204 indicates that ASIC will be making greater use of this power to seek recovery of its costs from individuals and companies ...