Legal
Competition reforms tabled in Federal Parliament this week backs small businesses to grow, innovate and create more jobs, according to Small Business Minister Michael McCormack. He said the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Competition Policy Review) Bill 2017 implements a number of recommendations from a landmark review of Australian competition policy to help small businesses to compete […]
Deutsche Bank of Germany recently decided to cut bonuses for local employees as it struggles to turn a profit in the wake of a large litigation bill. The litigation issue stems from the mortgage market collapse in the lead up to the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, resulting in a $7.2 billion-dollar settlement with the US […]
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is taking legal action against an online business directory provider, alleging unconscionable conduct that resulted in numerous small businesses paying significant amounts of money for unwanted advertising. ABG Pages Pty Ltd and an individual will face the Federal Court, accused of “misleading or deceptive conduct, false or misleading […]
Most people dread having to make a call to their health insurance provider or their car insurance agent. For small business owners, navigating the realm of business insurance can be even more daunting–but it doesn’t have to be. Armed with some basic information, you can confidently make the best insurance choices for your small business. […]
South Australia has recently changed the law for minor civil claims reducing the limit from $25,000 to $12,000. The reduction in the monetary limit for minor civil claims will come into effect on 1 August 2016 however proceedings already underway in the Magistrates Court as of this date will be unaffected. Prior to 2013, the […]
If you have ever signed up to a service that doesn’t end or you can’t seem to get out off, you’ve probably just met an evergreen clause. Evergreen clauses, also known as renewal clauses, are those tricky little statements within a contract that extend its duration automatically – unless one of the parties remembers to […]
Although workplace health and safety initiatives have seen the average Australian workplace become safer in recent years, injuries on the job still cost the economy $60 billion each year. That figure alone may be astounding, but for employees injured in their line of work the toll is much greater than financial, potentially affecting them emotionally […]
Over the past few years, a strong entrepreneurial spirit has developed in Australia, leading to a record number of startup businesses. While this is fantastic, a great idea needs to be properly thought through from a legal perspective so it doesn’t hit a road block when it comes time to get it off the ground. […]
For small business owners, the intrigue of taking their products and services off shore can be too exciting to ignore. But among all the hype that international business can bring, there are still numerous risks to assess and manage if you decide international trade is right for you. Perhaps the most important area to consider […]
Intellectual property, such as patents and copyrights can represent a significant portion of a company’s assets – particularly for highly innovative start-ups. Currently, intangible assets are subject to a legislative “effective life” period which is used to calculate their rate of depreciation. However, these existing provisions which mandate their life span are inflexible and often […]
The business world is filled with liability. The dangers that lurk around every corner could spell disaster for your company. While many business owners push ahead without any thought to preventing disasters before they happen, this course is a reckless path that you will want to avoid at all costs. There are reasons a huge majority […]
Regardless of the size of your online business, it is important that you protect your intellectual property ( I.P) as this can be the very thing that differentiates you from your competitors . Most business owners are not aware that registering a business, does not offer any protection to your Intellectual property whether it is […]
Many business owners are now choosing to use electronic contracts. Many of these systems are simple to use and enable you to sign the contacts electronically on whatever device you are using. The two main types of electronic contract are as follows: Click-Wrap Agreement This type of agreement states the terms and terms and […]
Allianz Australia took some time to speak with a couple of Aussie businesses that are ‘doing it for themselves’. The owner-operators of Naturally Gifted spoke with us about what it’s like running a micro-business. Businesses that choose to create and provide locally made or locally sold products and services continue to shape not only the […]
Copyright In Australia, copyright protection is automatically granted to any original creations. This means that as soon as someone has created something original such as writing, music or artwork, they then become the copyright holder for the creation. As the copyright holder, you then own the rights to your creation, including the right to license […]
Compliance and risk management don’t sound very attractive but they are crucial to having a sound business and are drivers to achieving business excellence – we call it Future-Proofing. Undertaking an annual legal health check of your company is one of the best decisions you will make for it’s reputation, growth and for your sanity. […]
As the owner of an SME, it’s more important than ever in this rapidly-changing business environment to get flexible working schemes right. Compared to ten, or even five years ago, employees are now looking for more of a balance between their personal and work lives. This can be a great thing as flexible working arrangements […]
Current Insolvency provisions under the Australian Corporations Act impose a duty on Directors not to trade while insolvent, but also not to trade in a manner that will lead it to insolvency. Although this may not appear too onerous an obligation, it can actually be trickier than it seems. Some companies regularly flirt with insolvency, […]
The fastest growth rate in Australia for start ups is the online business. This range from selling goods such as make up or skin care, to children’s clothing and toys. However, before you rush ahead and set up your business online, there are a few legal issues that you need to be aware of when […]
The end of a calendar year marks a moment in time when we consider the goals we set for ourselves and measure them against what we achieved. We reflect on what went well and what needs improvement and we use those reflections to set our goals for the year ahead. What we don’t often do […]
