The release of the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement has renewed the debate about the ability of foreign investors to sue governments under investor-State dispute settlement mechanisms which are commonly part of international trade agreements or investment treaties between States ...

The new package of legislation overhauling Australias foreign investment laws the first major revision in 40 years commenced on 1 December 2015 While many features of the previous regime have been retained and sometimes re-named there are also a number of significant changes Partners Jeremy Low ...

Water Services Association of Australia and Infrastructure Partnerships Australia the peak bodies for water utilities and infrastructure respectively have released a joint report that calls for major reform in the provision of urban water services across Australia The report suggests that there is a ...

The highest appellate court in the UK has affirmed and restated the penalty rule as it applies in the UK in a recent decision that directly addresses and counters the High Court of Australias approach to the rule in Andrews Partner Nick Rudge and Lawyer Patrick Easton report ...

Housing affordability climate change and energy efficiency are key focuses of the discussion paper recently released by the Victorian Planning Minster which aims to refresh the current Melbourne Metropolitan Planning strategy Plan Melbourne The paper draws upon the detailed report prepared by the ...

The World Bank has released its Benchmarking Public Procurement 2016 report which provides comparable data on regulatory environments that affect the ability of private companies to do business with governments in 77 economies Allens Partner Leighton OBrien and Linklaters Counsel Julia ...

Two new pieces of legislation relating to strata title law have been passed by both Houses of the NSW Parliament Although the new legislation which is expected to commence on 1 July 2016 will impose obligations on developers to provide inspection reports and building bonds it will also open up ...

The final report of the Review of Governance Arrangements for Australian Energy Markets has made a number of recommendations to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of each governing body in the Australian energy market while concluding that the governance arrangements are fundamentally sound ...

A recent decision of the UK High Court provides valuable instructions to both financiers and consultants regarding their obligations in monitoring project developments Partners Nick Rudge view CV and David Donnelly view CV and Lawyer Patrick Easton report on the decision in Lloyds Bank plc v McBains ...

Significant amendments to laws governing retail shop leases in Queensland will be made under new legislation just introduced into the Queensland Parliament Landlords should carefully review the Bill so they can be prepared for the new regime once it commences Partner John Beckinsale and Special ...