551-560 of 757 results
Product safety snapshots – year in review
The last 18 months were a busy time for product safety. Consumers found redress via the courts (in the form of class actions) and the regulator (in the form of product recalls). ...
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. ...
Predictive coding gets green light from an Australian court
The Victorian Supreme Court recently handed down the first decision of an Australian court to specifically consider and approve the use of predictive coding technology in a large-scale discovery exercise Partner Nick Rudge Managing Associate Kate Austin and Applied Legal Technology Manager Lisa ...
Disclosing privileged documents to regulators
The case of Cantor v Audi provides insights into what you should consider before providing privileged documents to a regulator. ...
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. ...
You've got to be perfected - Equipment leasing and the PPSA
A recent decision of the Supreme Court of New South Wales has again illustrated the potentially severe consequences for lessors of equipment and other goods under the vesting provisions of the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 Cth The lease can be a security interest If the lessors dont perfect ...
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 ...