Lachlan McKnight
Six things you should know about ‘unfair contract’ law
In the vast majority of cases once you enter into a contract you are locked into its terms. However, there is a way out – you may be able to claim the contract is void because it is “unfair”.
When do verbal promises become legally binding?
An agreement does not need to be in writing to be legally binding as enforceable contracts can either be in written or verbal form.
Six tips for avoiding unfair dismissal claims
Under the Fair Work Act, if an employee is dismissed in a “harsh, unjust or unreasonable” manner they may be awarded up to six month’s pay by the Fair Work Commission (FWC).
Three key times not to avoid a lawyer
It would be great if you could work with a lawyer every time a minor documentation issue arose, but for many businesses this is simply untenable. Here are the three key times when you shouldn't avoid working with a lawyer.
What to do before you sign a legal contract
A contract is a legally binding agreement made between two or more parties. As a contract is legally binding, it is critical for you to spend the time to make sure that you get it right.
Employee handbooks: what are they and does my business need one?
Every business owner with employees knows they need an employment contract for each employee. Many of the same business owners don’t, however, realise that they also need an employee handbook.
Loan agreements – 6 key clauses to watch
Businesses enter into loan agreements on a regular basis, but it’s crucial that that you review any loan agreement you sign off on.
Problems with poorly drafted contracts – Part 2
Many business people don’t bother working with a lawyer when entering into important contracts, and end up agreeing to terms which eventually cause long terms issues, both from a client relationship and monetary perspective.
Problems with poorly drafted contracts – Part 1
An unfortunate reality is that many businesspeople draft important legal documents themselves, using a template from a previous job or simply a free template they’ve discovered on a random website.
Legal perspective: Thinking of launching a franchise?
Setting up a franchise can be a great business decision, but there are also significant legal and regulatory costs to be considered.
Clauses to watch for in a shareholder agreement
If you run a company, no matter how big or small, your company shareholders agreement will be the most important legal document you’re likely to deal with.
How to review a confidentiality agreement
Confidentiality agreements, or non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), are very common and business owners often won’t want to pay a lawyer to complete the review of every document for them.
Buying or selling a business? Consider the legals
There’s a lot to think about when you’re buying or selling a business. Entrepreneurs often get stuck into the details of the transaction without thinking about the legal issues they may need to deal with and how they intend to approach them.
Four steps to recover a debt without going to court
If a business or individual owes your business and defaults in repayment of it, there are a number of steps you may be able to take to recover it.