Part of the substantial industrial relations reforms which were enacted by the Federal Parliament last December include changes to the rules around flexible working arrangements The Fair Work Act already had provisions that allow an employee to request a change to his or her working arrangements in certain circumstances, such as [...]
In May or June as we near the end of the financial year we are commonly asked to establish private ancillary funds for clients. A private ancillary fund is a private philanthropic vehicle typically established and operated by a high net worth individual or family. Private ancillary funds do not [...]
Please join us where our Partner Michael Bishop and Senior Lawyer Jess Tomlinson discuss the case Owies v JJ Nominees Pty ltd [2022] VSCA 142 which dealt with: obligations on a trustee to inform itself as to the needs of beneficiaries; and consider those needs even If family circumstances break down. Our [...]
On 28 March 2023, a Full Federal Court decision has held that employers cannot rely on enterprise agreements or contracts requiring employees to work on public holidays. The case of CFMMEU v OS MCAP Pty Ltd [2023] FCAFC 51 has shown that contracts which “require” an employee to work on [...]
On Wednesday 29 March 2023, our employment team hosted a seminar on current hot issues in employment law today. The following topics were covered: Sexual Harrassment; Pay secrecy clauses; Fixed Term Contracts; and Flexible Working Arragements. If you have any queries regarding the above topics please do not hesitate to [...]
A recent Queensland Court of Appeal decision shows the continuing utility of disclaimers on products despite legislative reforms narrowing the scope of their effectiveness. In Mallonland Pty Ltd & Anor v Advanta Seeds Pty Ltd[1] a class action was brought on behalf of commercial farmers against the manufacturer of sorghum seed. [...]
Buying or selling a business is a major decision for both the seller and the buyer and can be a daunting and exciting process. Regardless of whether you are a seller or buyer, it is important you take into account a number of considerations and steps when preparing [...]
In Australia, the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FWA) grants employees various leave entitlements. One such entitlement involves section106A of the FWA which grants an employee five days of unpaid family and domestic violence leave each year. However, section 106A and other provisions relating to family and domestic violence leave has [...]
Australian company directors are now required by law to apply for a director identification number (“director ID”). A director ID is a unique identifier given to an eligible officer who has verified their identified their identity with the Australian Business Registry Services (“ABRS”). The Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) defines an [...]
In today’s tight labour market we continue to see interest from employer clients in establishing employee share schemes in order to retain, attract and incentivise talent. Perhaps the most straightforward of the schemes to create, administer and explain to staff is one relying upon the “eligible start up concessions” in [...]
