Webinar | Public sector whistle blowing: vaccine or epidemic?
Public sector whistleblowing and associated corruption complaints are the new normal, exposing both criminal behaviour and petty grievances to the jurisdiction of anti-corruption bodies with extraordinary powers. This session provides a practical road map for anti-corruption investigations from inception to conclusion, including necessary actions following a complaint, assessment of complaints, investigative powers, what constitutes a […]
ReadmoreWebinar | The Butterfly Effect – insolvency, class actions and government
Challenging economic times inevitably lead to increased litigation, from which government is not immune whether in the enforcement of powers or contracts or in the defence of ambit claims. This session examines recent changes in the current environment, exacerbated by COVID-19 challenges to the content of laws and the practical administration of justice and the […]
ReadmoreCOVID-19 | The Court Speaks: Terminating leases in the age of COVID-19
On 31 July 2020, the NSW Supreme Court published a decision in the case of Sneakerboy Retail Pty Ltd trading as Sneakerboy v Georges Properties Pty Ltd [2020] NSWSC 996. The decision relates to an application by the tenant for relief against forfeiture, following termination of a retail lease on 25 March 2020. There is […]
ReadmoreWebinar | Anatomy of an ICT project
This hypothetical case study, grounded in deep experience with public entities Australia-wide, will highlight common risks and pitfalls of critical ICT projects in the public sector. These expensive and vital projects all too frequently fail to deliver key outcomes and expose participants to extraordinary risk. This session will address the optimal framing of a public […]
ReadmoreWebinar | Picking winners – state support for target businesses
Targeted government support for industry development, such as start-ups and investment attraction hubs, is part of a new age of economic intervention in an increasingly competitive world. But governments have traditionally struggled to understand private sector needs and deliver outcomes aligning social objectives with those needs whilst discharging their public interest obligations. This session will […]
ReadmoreChanges to exemptions to the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth) yield mixed bag for banking industry
On 29 July 2020, the Commonwealth Government passed the Electronic Transactions Regulations 2020 (Cth) (Regulations), with changes to the scope of Commonwealth legislation that were wholly or partially exempt from the provisions of the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth) (Act) (Electronic Transactions Act). Exemption from the Act previously had the effect that requirements for writing, […]
ReadmoreGuidance and government power
Regulatory guidance usually has little legal status, but sometimes legislation mandates it. However, a recent UK Supreme Court decision [1] on ethical investments demonstrates that, when laws and policies are confused and agencies stray outside their lanes, even legislatively supported guidance has limits. The Court ruled that local government pension schemes can divest from or boycott […]
ReadmoreWhen rent incurred might be elevated to a priority payment
Ford (Administrator), in the matter of The PAS Group Limited (Administrators Appointed) v Scentre Management Limited [2020] FCA 1023 In a decision made last week in the case of Ford (Administrator), in the matter of The PAS Group Limited (Administrators Appointed) v Scentre Management Limited[1], the Federal Court of Australia determined whether the rent incurred by […]
ReadmoreChanges to Mortgagee Power of Sale process in Queensland: is a vesting order still needed when a property is disclaimed by a Trustee in Bankruptcy or Liquidator?
Gadens has had involvement in numerous matters where land, the subject of a registered mortgage, is disclaimed by a Trustee in Bankruptcy or Liquidator. Recent changes to the Property Law Act 1974 (Qld) (Act) have simplified the process for mortgagees exercising power of sale and do away with the need for a Court order. Previously, […]
ReadmoreSmethurst takes on the AFP with a win, a loss and ultimately no charge
The High Court in Smethurst v Commissioner of Police:[1] were unanimous in their decision that a search warrant gained by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in the notorious search and seizure of the Sunday Telegraph’s journalist Annika Smethurst’s home was invalid; and by a 4:3 majority, refused to grant injunctive relief to the journalist and NewsCorp, […]
ReadmoreBy whose authority? Court deems payments made under a DOCA to the DCT voidable as unfair preferences
In Yeo, in the matter of Ready Kit Cabinets Pty Ltd (in liq) v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation,[1] the Court considered whether payments made to the Deputy Commission of Taxation (DCT) by a director of the company, required under a Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) were recoverable as unfair preferences. The case turned on whether the payments […]
ReadmoreLender’s claim for negligent valuation – ensure you seek damages in time
In the recent case of Todd Hadley Pty Limited v Lake Maintenance (NSW) Pty Ltd (No 2)[1], the New South Wales Court of Appeal considered a claim for pure economic loss allegedly arising out of a valuation report provided for mortgage valuation purposes. The separate question referred to the Court for determination was whether, for the […]
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