Commercial & Property Law

A recent Supreme Court case in Queensland is a timely reminder of the need to take care when nominating who is to receive a member’s superannuation benefits, particularly when the provision is made in the binding death nomination for payments to be made to a...

Due to stamp duty and land tax surcharges applicable where foreign persons are potential beneficiaries of a discretionary trust the question arises as to whether the trust should exclude a person considered to be a foreign person from being a potential beneficiary....

In many small businesses run through a company there are two or more directors who may be family members or friends. Disputes may then arise and an issue arises as to what rights a director or shareholder has in relation to the conduct of another...

The phrase Unfair Contract Terms (UCTs) sends a shiver down small businesses and consumers alike, and allows larger, contract-issuing, businesses to rub their hands in glee. In the ten years that UCTs legislation has existed in Australia for the protection of consumers (and only four...

For many businesses, their people are the most valuable assets. Key employees can offer important skills and expertise, knowledge, reputation and relationships – attributes which are often critical to a business’ success. So, when purchasing a business, along with other assets such as plant and equipment,...