Finder: ASIC to continue to pursue cases to clarify crypto regulation as the Federal Court finds that a crypto-asset is not a debenture
The Federal Court has handed down its second significant decision involving crypto assets this year. The judgment in ASIC v Finder Wallet Pty Ltd[1] (Finder) follows the recent decision in the BlockEarner case[2] and provides some further guidance for crypto-asset issuers attempting to navigate the present uncertainty around the intersection of digital assets and financial […]
ReadmoreBuy Now Pay Later: the shape of the new regulatory regime
Treasury has released the much anticipated draft legislation for the regulation of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) products and confirmed that BNPL providers should prepare to obtain a new or modified Australian Credit Licence and work through the impact of being regulated as credit providers on their businesses. Anti-avoidance protections promise to ensure there is […]
ReadmoreIs the presence of a renter a barrier to execution of a court warrant?
Since around April 2011, the Sheriff’s Office of Victoria has taken the view that they would not execute a court warrant of possession against a person in occupation of land if they were under a residential rental agreement within the meaning of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic) (RTA) and the mortgagee must instead comply […]
ReadmoreA new Banking Code of Practice is on the horizon
Background The Australian Banking Association’s (ABA) Banking Code of Practice (the Code) contains a set of contractually enforceable industry standards that customers and small businesses can expect subscribing banks to uphold. The Code has been in place in various forms since 1993, including a range of protections that are intended to complement and set higher […]
ReadmoreFutureproofing Australia’s Payment System: Unveiling the Government’s Strategic Plan
The Australian Government has released its Strategic Plan for Australia’s Payments System (Strategic Plan). The Strategic Plan follows on from the Treasury’s Consultation Paper released in December 2022 and outlines a raft of proposed legislative and policy changes to the current payments system regulatory framework. The foreshadowed changes are significant and far-reaching and are aimed […]
ReadmoreMore work to do – Inquiry into Banks dealing with deceased estates
On 9 June 2023, the Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC) handed down its report on the management of deceased estates under the Banking Code of Practice (BCOP) by the banks. The BCCC’s report is aimed at helping banks to improve their practices and pursue better compliance with BCOP obligations. In turn, it is hoped that […]
ReadmoreBuy Now Pay Later: ‘Walks like a duck’ regulation announced
On 22 May 2023, the Treasury announced that the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) industry will be regulated under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (Credit Act). The move was announced by the financial services minister and assistant treasurer, Stephen Jones MP, at the Responsible Lending & Borrowing Summit. The announcement confirms that the […]
ReadmoreDoes the AFCA have jurisdiction to decide your financial dispute? Guidance from the decision in AgriWealth Capital Limited v Australian Financial Complaints Authority Limited [2022] FCA 1336
In a recent case concerning a complaint brought against a financial services business operating several registered forestry management investment schemes in New South Whales (the Complaint), the Federal Court of Australia considered an application that challenged the jurisdiction of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority Limited (AFCA) to decide the Complaint. Background Following the review of […]
ReadmoreFire in the house: Interest guaranteed despite extinguishment of debt under deed of company arrangement
The Victorian Court of Appeal has affirmed that whilst a company’s debts can be released to some extent under a DOCA, that section 444J of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Act) expressly provides for a creditor’s rights under a guarantee or indemnity. The Court found that the ultimate page of AOL’s trading account credit terms, […]
ReadmoreUnfair prejudice to members for share transfers during external administration? The court said no if the transfer gives benefits to the creditors and the company equity has no residual economic value
On 19 October 2022, the Federal Court of Australia made an order granting leave for the Deed Administrators to transfer all existing shares in the capital of the Collection House Limited to Credit Corp Group Limited, or its nominee, in accordance with the Deed of Company Arrangement entered into between the parties on 21 September […]
ReadmoreCricket Australia clean bowled – Federal Court orders Cricket Australia to remove evasive statements
In Seven Network (Operations) Limited v Cricket Australia, the Court made orders deferring any application for discovery until each of the parties had filed and served their evidence in chief. Further the Court ordered that Cricket Australia file an amended defence in accordance with the Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) to remove all references in […]
ReadmoreBuy Now Pay Later Options Paper: The reforms start to take shape
On 21 November 2022, the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) options paper was released by Treasury for public consultation (Options Paper). The Options Paper examines the regulatory challenges of emerging financial products, particularly BNPL, and the appropriate regulatory approach to maintain the advantages of accessing credit while sufficiently protecting consumers. With the closing date for […]
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