For clients buying or selling a business, especially one involving leased premises, it is critical that we consider whether the business operates from leased premises, and how that lease is to be dealt with as part of the sale.  Usually, having leased premises will require a special condition to be ...

In personal and business relationships alike, large sums of money often change hands informally. When disputes arise, courts are frequently called upon to determine the true nature of such transactions. The recent decision in Kempe v Grine [2025] NSWDC 227 shines a spotlight on the legal complexitie...

When family and business interests intersect, the consequences can be legally and financially significant. The Supreme Court Court of Appeal decision in Pamplin v Irwin [2024] NSWCA 213 illustrates how informal arrangements, unclear ownership structures, and a failure to document agreements can resu...

The Fair Work Commission’s recent decision in Hooper v Shahbod Pty Ltd [2025] FWC 1624 reinforces a vital truth in employment law: small business and probationary employment do not exempt employers from fair process. The case involved the summary dismissal of a barista during a probationary period—a...

The Federal Court of Australia's decision in Hallam v Tancred [2024] FCA 837 addresses critical issues surrounding the misclassification of employment relationships under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FWA). This case underscores the legal consequences of inaccurately designating workers as independe...

Complex property transactions often involve layered agreements, evolving negotiations, and personal guarantees that expose directors and their spouses to significant personal liability. The Queensland Supreme Court's decision in Symx Land Developments Pty Ltd v Pugh [2025] QSC 137 provides important...

In a recent decision handed down by the New South Wales Supreme Court, Yin v Maalouf [2025] NSWSC 450, Justice Peden dealt with a complex corporate dispute involving an allegedly sham Share Purchase Agreement, misleading conduct, and the improper use of ASIC filings to alter directorship and shareho...

Debt recovery is a critical process for both creditors and debtors. When a creditor secures a default judgment and seeks to enforce it—particularly through a writ of execution over a debtor’s property—time is of the essence. Delays in responding to legal proceedings can severely limit a debtor’s abi...

The Australian franchising landscape is undergoing a significant transformation with the introduction of the new Franchising Code of Conduct, effective from 1 April 2025. These reforms aim to enhance fairness, transparency, and accountability within the franchising sector, impacting both franchisors...

In the recent case of Mitchell Fuller v Madison Branson Lawyers Pty Ltd [2025] FWC 784, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has provided clear guidance on serious misconduct, honesty in employment, and the application of the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code. This case serves as a strong reminder that e...

Lease disputes between commercial tenants and landlords can be complex, particularly when disagreements arise over the scope of leased premises, obligations under the lease, and termination rights. The case of Maroubra Pool Café Pty Ltd v Fedele [2017] NSWSC 1722 highlights these issues, with the Su...

Company directors owe strict legal duties when managing corporate funds, and breaches of these duties can lead to significant legal consequences. This was evident in the recent case of In the Matter of Macarthur Farm Pty Ltd [2025] NSWSC 40, where the Supreme Court of New South Wales examined allega...