Blog
Franchising is a popular business model in Australia, allowing brand expansion without direct operational control of each outlet. However, franchisors can be held responsible for serious breaches of workplace laws committed by their franchisees. The Full Court of the Federal Court’s decision in Bake...
In a recent decision of the NSW Supreme Court, Hederics v Spare Weel Pty Ltd [2025] NSWSC 1171, Justice Williams considered the breakdown of a farming partnership and a subsequent dispute over land ownership – raising important questions about proprietary estoppel, boundary realignment, and implied ...
A recent Appeal Panel decision of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Take Two Seven Pty Ltd v Hewson Properties Pty Ltd [2025] NSWCATAP 1) has confirmed that a lessee’s claim to the entire basement of a leased commercial premises can be defeated where the terms of the lease and supporting do...
Running a business can be both rewarding and risky—especially if its a cafe operated not by a single owner but by business partners—often friends or family—who decide to “go in together.” But when agreements are made informally, without clear written contracts, disputes can quickly arise.
The recen...
Running a café in a small town can be as much about the relationship with your landlord as it is about your menu. A recent case before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal—Gardener v Bright; Bright v Gardener [2025] NSWCATCD 23—serves as a stark reminder of the importance of clear agree
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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...
