Court decides Cant can’t recover payment from related company as unfair preference
In the recent decision of Cant v Mad Brothers Earthmoving,[1] the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Victoria (Justices Beach, McLeish and Hargrave) considered whether the liquidator of Eliana Construction and Developing Group (in liquidation) (Eliana) could establish that a payment made to an unsecured creditor of Eliana by one of Eliana’s related companies was […]
ReadmoreSearch and seizure application warranted: Illegal phoenix activity
The recent Federal Court decision of Scott v Southern Highlands Waste & Recycling Pty Ltd[1] provides liquidators with important guidance regarding the availability of search and seizure warrants under section 530C of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the Corps Act). Whilst the provision remains a useful mechanism for liquidators dealing with uncooperative directors, the Court has made it clear that warrants […]
ReadmoreSolving the ‘classic insolvency conundrum’ – how should insufficient, comingled funds be distributed?
In Caron and Seidlitz v Jahani and McInerney in their capacity as liquidators of Courtenay House Pty Ltd (in liq) & Courtenay House Capital Trading Group Pty Ltd (in liq) (No 2),[1] the New South Wales Court of Appeal was faced with what it described as the ‘classic insolvency conundrum’: how to distribute funds to investors as equally […]
ReadmoreCOVID-19 | JobMaker: How the Federal Budget Hiring Credit scheme works
The Federal Government has recently announced the introduction of the JobMaker Hiring Credit scheme, designed to give businesses incentives to employ younger, unemployed job seekers. The scheme is expected to support around 450,000 employment positions. As part of the 2020/2021 Federal Budget, the JobMaker scheme targets the creation of new jobs, as opposed to the […]
ReadmoreGadens Connect | 2020 Edition Four
This edition of Gadens Connect provides the first update from the new financial year for our clients in the financial services industry. COVID-19 has continued to impact business across Australia and we are continually working to support our clients where needed. We have seen our clients undertaking resumption activities with customers and preparing to deal […]
ReadmoreNew insolvency reforms to support small business recovery proposed to commence from 1 January 2021
The recently announced proposed insolvency reforms draw on key features from Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States and aim to help more small businesses restructure and survive the economic impact of COVID-19. The reforms will cover around 76% of businesses subject to insolvencies today, 98% of whom have less than 20 […]
ReadmoreA Federal Budget with Paradox befitting a Pandemic
Gadens’ view of the Federal Budget 2020/21 The Government’s historic pandemic-era Budget is the most unashamedly pro-business budget in memory which also seeks to buttress employment from the headwinds of recession and technological change. In a seemingly counterintuitive outcome for a ‘pro-jobs’ strategy, the Budget’s tax depreciation policy change is poised to accelerate the inexorable […]
ReadmoreHealthEngine decision: understanding the overlap between privacy and consumer laws
We have seen a recent overseas trend by EU and US based competition regulators to address privacy related matters within a broader competition context. This is not something we have seen occurring in Australia to any great extent although the recent introduction of the Consumer Data Right has seen both the Office of the Australian […]
ReadmoreCOVID-19 | Commercial tenancy relief measures extended in Victoria
The long awaited COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) (Commercial Leases and Licences) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2020 (Vic) were released last night and will take effect from 29 September 2020. Which tenancies will the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme (CTRS) now apply to? The CTRS applies to ‘eligible leases’. The Amending Regulations have altered the definition of ‘eligible […]
ReadmoreSimplifying access to credit – a win for lenders!
As Australia continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Morrison Government announced proposed changes to access credit. The proposed changes, outlined in the article below, seek to simplify the system between consumers and lenders, making access to credit easier for consumers and small businesses. Read the full article below. Our Banking & Finance team […]
ReadmoreConflicted remuneration – mortgage brokers’ tricky year ahead
The Federal Treasury has released the long-awaited regulations which will govern mortgage broker remuneration from 1 January 2021, the Financial Sector Reform (Hayne Royal Commission Response—Protecting Consumers) (Mortgage Brokers) Regulations 2020 (Regulations). It follows the release of the draft regulations and explanatory statement in August 2019. The Financial Sector Reform (Hayne Royal Commission Response – […]
ReadmoreSenate Select Committee on Fintech and Regulatory Tech publishes interim report
The need for permanent corporate law reforms for virtual company meetings and electronic communications and signatures by companies – Senate Select Committee inquiry on Financial Technology and Regulatory Technology interim report and recommendations. In September 2020, the Senate Select Committee inquiry on Financial Technology and Regulatory Technology (Committee) released its interim report. The preliminary recommendations […]
Readmore
