An overview of the changes to the witnessing requirements for Queensland Land Registry forms
The Natural Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2019 (Qld) introduced additional requirements for witnessing documents including: requiring the witness to take reasonable steps to verify the identity of an individual and to ensure the individual is the person entitled to sign the document; requiring the witness to keep a written record of the steps they took […]
ReadmoreTo carry out no or little investigation and to say nothing is not an option – a warning to insolvency practitioners
The Federal Court has issued a warning to insolvency practitioners, involved in voluntary administrations, to ensure adequate investigation and reporting occurs of matters that have the potential to materially affect the outcome of the administration. In Adelaide Brighton Cement Limited, in the matter of Concrete Supply Pty Ltd v Concrete Supply Pty Ltd (Subject to Deed […]
ReadmoreCOVID-19 | Cash is King – 4 ways your business can best respond to the challenges of COVID-19
The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is undoubtedly tragic for the thousands affected, with Governments around the world having to act swiftly and assertively to protect vulnerable people. But there is underlying harm being caused to the economy, too – and the real impact of this cost is only just emerging. We’ve all heard the saying before […]
ReadmoreForfeiture of non-proprietary interests
Equity may intervene to prevent the unconscionable exercise of a right to terminate a commercial contract. Whether equity will intervene to prevent the loss of a non-proprietary interest is controversial. Recent Victorian decisions have created greater uncertainty. Equitable principles are available to restrict the entitlement of an innocent party to terminate a contract for breach […]
ReadmoreASIC appeals Westpac’s success in the responsible consumer lending test case
In Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Westpac Banking Corporation (Liability Trial) [2019] FCA 1244, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has brought a ‘test case’ considering alleged breaches of responsible lending obligations against Westpac Banking Corporation (Westpac). In particular, ASIC alleged Westpac breached the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (Cth) (the Act) through the use of its […]
ReadmoreLender’s minor omissions have major impact in summary judgment application
In Secure Funding v West [2017] QDC 169, the District Court of Queensland provides a helpful reminder of the importance of complying with contractual and legislative notice requirements. As this case demonstrates, it is important for lenders to be able to demonstrate service of default notices so as to avoid minor omissions which can be costly. […]
ReadmoreMarshalling – what is it and how can it help a second registered mortgagee?
Marshalling is an equitable doctrine designed to protect second registered mortgagees from not being paid because of the arbitrary or capricious realisation of a security property by a prior mortgagee. In certain circumstances, a second registered mortgagee may be able to access surplus proceeds of sale from a property which it did not hold a mortgage […]
ReadmoreService of a creditor’s statutory demand – the importance of serving at the registered office maintained by ASIC
The recent decision of Mills Oakley v Asset HQ Australia Pty Ltd [2019] VSC 98 highlights the need for strict compliance when serving a creditor’s statutory demand on the registered office of a company. The Court considered whether a creditor’s statutory demand, with an error in the registered address of the company, was served in accordance with […]
ReadmoreLiquidator’s application to obtain greater role in managed investment scheme winding up
In LM Investment Management Limited v Whyte [2019] QSC 233, the Supreme Court of Queensland considered an application by a Liquidator to: replace the court-appointed Receiver in the winding up of a managed investment scheme as well as for a complex remuneration and costs regime to be put in place; and to access the scheme property in […]
ReadmoreLiquidator’s remuneration from trust assets – the next instalment
In LM Investment Management Limited & Anor Whyte [2019] QSC 245, the Supreme Court of Queensland considered an application by the Liquidator of LM Investment Management Limited (LM), for payment of some or all of his remuneration from trust property. The trust property comprised by a number of registered investment schemes, including the LM First Mortgage Income […]
ReadmoreSend it to the right person: the importance of accurate notices terminating options
In JPA Finance Pty Ltd v Gordon Nominees Pty Ltd,[1] the Supreme Court of Victoria held that a notice purportedly terminating an option to purchase 20 units in a trust for $2.3M was invalid. This was because it was not addressed in accordance with the contract. Instead of being addressed to the company care of its lawyers, […]
ReadmoreWhen privileged documents are stolen and disseminated: an analysis of the High Court’s decision in Glencore
In Glencore International AG v Commissioner of Taxation [2019] HCA 26, the High Court considered whether Glencore could restrain the Commissioner of Taxation from making use of certain privileged documents. Interestingly, the privileged documents in question were stolen as part of a cyberattack from Glencore’s solicitors and disseminated amongst the “Paradise Papers”. Background Solicitors acting for the […]
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