The High Court provides more certainty around casual employees

The High Court has provided further certainty in determining whether an employee is a casual employee in handing down its much anticipated decision in WorkPac Pty Ltd v Rossato [2021] HCA 23 (4 August 2021). However, because of reforms in this space earlier this year, the practical implications of the High Court’s decision in Rossato […]

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South Australia shakes up ‘game of chance’ trade promotion regulations

The South Australian Government has now completed an extensive review of its Lottery and Gaming Regulations 2008 (SA). It has issued a draft of the proposed Lotteries Regulations 2021 (SA) for comment. These would replace the existing regulations in December this year. The upshot: incremental improvements While the Lotteries Regulations would introduce some small improvements, […]

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COVID-19 | Land tax relief for landlords in NSW

The NSW Government has introduced further land tax relief measures for the 2021 Land Tax Year to landlords who provide rent relief waivers to tenants experiencing financial distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligibility For a landlord to be eligible for relief for the 2021 Land Tax Year the following criteria apply and must be […]

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The High Court finds privilege against self-incrimination is thinner than most imagined – DCT v Shi [2021] HCA 22 (4 August 2021)

DCT v Shi [2021] HCA 22 (4 August 2021) http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/HCA//2021/22.html Majority: Kiefel CJ, Gageler, Gordon & Gleeson JJ Minority: Edelman J   The High Court has found that the privilege against self-incrimination is thinner than most imagined, ordering disclosure of information claimed to be privileged. A witness can object to giving evidence on the ground […]

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Casual employees – review of the new rights and obligations under the NES

The amendments to the National Employment Standard regarding casual employees are about bringing certainty to casual employment arrangements. Employers should now be considering what steps they need to take to comply with the NES including assessing offers of conversion for employees who commenced employment prior to 27 March 2021. This is particularly relevant as there […]

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Gadens Connect | 2021 Edition Three

For the third edition for 2021 of Gadens Connect, our team provides an overview of key performance indicators including the impact of COVID-19 holds across the recoveries portfolio, an update on permanent changes to the Justice Legislation Amendment (System Enhancements and Other Matters) Act 2021 (Vic) and an insight into setting aside default judgment by […]

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Full Court gives Epic Games the green light to continue CCA claim against Apple in Australia

In Epic Games, Inc v Apple Inc,[1] the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia considered whether an exclusive jurisdiction clause in an agreement between Epic Games and Apple required a competition law claim brought by Epic Games against Apple to be stayed to allow the dispute to play out in the United States. […]

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Importance of properly formulating offers made in proceedings involving counterclaims

In Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal Pty Limited v Civil Mining & Construction Pty Ltd[1], the Queensland Court of Appeal considered the costs implications of an ‘all up’ offer made under the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (Qld) (the UCPR) and whether it could determine the ‘net result’ of two orders (each order made in […]

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“Let there be a vote” – Victorian Supreme Court grants adjournment under recent Small Business Restructuring Reforms

In Re Dessco Pty Ltd,[1] the Victorian Supreme Court adjourned a winding up application for 50 days to allow time for creditors to vote on a restructuring plan. Whilst the adjournment was opposed by the Plaintiff, the Judicial Registrar of the Court accepted the assessment formed by the Small Business Restructuring Practitioner that the company […]

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Can parties to a mortgage contract out of a statutory limitation period? Yes, according to the High Court

Dismissing an appeal from the Supreme Court of Queensland, the High Court of Australia in Price v Spoor[1] considered three principle questions: Whether parties to a mortgage can agree that the mortgagor will not plead a defence of statutory time limitation, or whether such an agreement is void and unenforceable as contrary to public policy; […]

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Financial Accountability Regime – Key Facts

On Friday, 16 July 2021, Treasury released the exposure draft legislation for the Financial Accountability Regime (FAR). Building on the Banking Executive Accountability Regime introduced on 1 July 2018, FAR will apply to all prudentially-regulated institutions e.g. banks, insurers and super funds and will operate to place institutional and personal liability on key executives for […]

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Impact on mortgagees of a bankruptcy trustee’s disclaimer of mortgaged land

A mortgagee may be faced with a situation where the mortgagor becomes bankrupt and the trustee, in which the property then vests, disclaims the mortgaged property. We outline the process a mortgagee is required to follow when a mortgaged property has been disclaimed and summarise the key issues considered by the Court. Click below to […]

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