#Contracts
Understanding employment contracts
Holding Redlich’s Trew and Hope analyze pivotal cases shaping employment contract clauses in Australia, focusing on claims for breach of contract by employers.
Is outsourcing a positive or negative for businesses?
Jacqui Miller, founder of Dynamic Business Outsourcing Solutions (DBOS), believes that the right kind of outsourcing can be instrumental in accelerating business growth and financial wellbeing. Outsourcing can be viewed as negative, particularly by unions and job hunters, however with changing work cultures and technological advancements, outsourcing is now more widely available as an option […]
What obligations do SMEs owe employees?
Starting up and successfully running a small business can certainly be overwhelming at times and it is of the utmost importance that you get things right from the very beginning. Your employees are one of your greatest assets, vital in the growth and prosperity of your business. To make the most of this valuable resource […]
Electronic Contracts
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 […]
5 top legal tips for a start-up
With the release of the new “innovation” package by the Federal Government, an increasing amount of people are considering starting up a new business. However, before you get too carried away, it’s important to ensure you stay on the right side of the law. Here are my 5 top legal tips for any start up: […]
Ten ways to negotiate a better lease
If you find yourself negotiating a commercial or retail lease for the first time, being familiar with these key lease issues will help you strike a better deal.
Small business the focus of unfair contract terms draft legislation
The Abbott Government has today released a draft legislation put forward to further protect small businesses from unfair contract terms.
Government boosts contract protection for small business
The Commonwealth Government has announced an extension of the unfair contract protections currently available, a move to further protect the nation’s small businesses from imbalanced agreements brought on by big business.
Business emails: Legal matters (Part 1)
As emails fly back and forth between your business and clients, partners, friends and family, it’s easy to forget one thing: emails are often used as evidence in legal proceedings.
Why legal advice is vital for any SME owner
A small to medium enterprise or SME in Australia must have access to specific, fundamental types of legal advice. The failure to obtain this advice can result in a SME ending up facing significant and costly legal problems.
Protecting your business from lawsuits
For small and even some medium-sized businesses, having to pay indemnification worth a few hundred thousand dollars almost always leads to instant insolvency, followed by bankruptcy and ultimately, termination.
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.
Are your contracts leaking like an old tinny?
Have you completed your proper due diligence on your business contracts? It’s crucial to plug the holes in your business contracts before you find yourself sinking.
Debunking major employment contract myths
Employment contracts are common practice and serve as a written agreement between employer and employee. Surprisingly, many employers still engage employees without any finalised terms of employment.
When legal action is a business risk
Legal action—whether warranted or not—is a very real risk to businesses, including SMEs. Even if people do not have an honest claim to make against you, the cost of legal assistance to prove your innocence can be devastating to your business. Also, the toll it takes on your time and emotions can seriously hurt your business and personal time.
1 million independent contractors get free handbook to help ‘get the contract right’
Australia’s one million independent contractors now have access to a free handbook from the Government to help ‘get the contract right’ at the start and avoid headaches down the track.
‘Golden handshakes’ lose their shine
With the first anniversary of Corporations Amendment Act (2009) just around the corner, employers are being encouraged to review their executive employment contracts.
Boozy business lunches ‘seal the deal’
An alcohol filled lunch is still seen as the best way to seal a business dea, according to more than a quarter of respondents in an online survey by Corporate Traveller.
EDirect VIPtel Mobile allegedly misled customers
EDirect Pty Ltd, trading as VIPtel Mobile has had proceedings instituted in the Federal Court, Darwin against it by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for allegedly misleading customers.
Premium Milk can collectively negotiate with Parmalat: ACCC
Premium Milk Ltd has been approved by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in a draft decision to re-authorise collective negotiation arrangements for Premium Milk dairy farmer members.
Unfair Contract Prohibition changes in Trade Practices Act
Consumer law nationally has been radically changed with the passing of new laws that prohibit standard form consumer contracts which contain unfair terms. These changes are likely to have a significant impact on SMEs and how they interact with their customers.
Allphones cop $3million fine for franchise abuse
The ACCC has won a case for 55 current and former Allphones franchisees for $3 million in damages from Allphones and its executives for their involvement in ‘unconscionable conduct’ as well as bullying their franchisees.