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Two wrongs don’t make a legal right

Equal treatment is a fundamental principle of justice. This is well understood in the abstract, but what it might mean in practice and how it might be enforced is less clear, as is demonstrated by an important recent UK decision[1] that will be monitored closely by Australian lawyers.   The case As a result of […]

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New Banking Code of Practice

With demand for the banks to meet community standards, the ABA has released the new Banking Code of Practice to enhance banking services, with effect from 1 July 2019. Click here for full size image.  Authored by: Annette Gaber, Partner Anna Koumides, Senior Associate

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A welcomed authorisation of AFCA!

On 1 May 2018, the Minister for Revenue and Financial Services authorised the operation of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA): a new single external dispute resolution (EDR) scheme for consumer and small business complaints. The Minister announced that: All financial firms required to have a dispute resolution system to deal with complaints from consumers […]

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AFCA to be receiving disputes by 1 November 2018

In May 2017, Professor Ian Ramsay’s final report of the Review of the financial system external dispute resolution and complaints framework (Final Report) was released. The most significant recommendation contained in the report was to establish a single external dispute resolution body for financial and superannuation disputes to replace FOS, SCT and CIO. The Government […]

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From little things big disputes can grow

Sometimes, unfortunately, it does not take much for issues with a client to escalate into being a costly building dispute. However, it also often does not take much to avoid the dispute happening in the first place. This is an example of both.   The dispute and the decision In December 2016, the New South […]

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The High Court decides – Do you need a valid reference date?

Is it imperative to have a valid reference date for a payment claim made under Security of Payment Legislation? The High Court determines the importance and effect of reference dates once and for all in Lewence Construction Pty Ltd v Southern Han Breakfast Point Pty Ltd [2016] HCA 52.   Summary Today the High Court […]

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