Latest publications
Non Award Compliance Can Really Cost Small Businesses
In Brief The Federal Magistrates Court has issued a very clear warning to small businesses to comply with the minimum entitlements set by awards or risk getting severely fined.Fair Work Ombudsman v Turbo Café Water Gardens Pty Ltd & Anor [2012] FMCA 794 & Fair Work Ombudsman v Turbo Café Point Cook Pty Ltd & Anor [2012]…
When is redundancy genuine?
In Brief Employers who fail to observe the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (the Act) requirements relating to redundancies can find themselves exposed to unfair dismissal claims in circumstances in which they may have had good business reasons for termination. A recent decision before Fair Work Australia (now Fair Work Commission) highlights…
Down, down, prices are down … or are they?
In Brief Retailers must not mislead customers about the amount of money they are saving during advertised sale periods. ACCC v Jewellery Group Pty Limited (No 2) [2013] FCA 14 Last month, the Federal Court found that Zamel’s Jewellers engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct and made false or misleading representations by distributing…
When do I need a new will?
As a general rule you should have your Will amended (or get a new Will drafted if amending isn’t possible) when you experience a major change in your life or a significant event, for example: You plan to get married. Saying those magical words “I do” may revoke your existing Will. For peace of mind…
Construction Industry Insolvency
In Brief In August 2012 the NSW Government announced an Inquiry into Construction Industry Insolvency in NSW. The Inquiry released its Discussion and Issues Paper in October 2012 which proposes a number of potential remedial measures for the industry. Construction Industry Insolvency in NSW In August 2012 the NSW Government announced an Inquiry into…
What not to say in the office
Why are there things I can and cannot say in the office? What is and what is not appropriate behaviour in the workplace has traditionally been derided as simply a matter of common sense and questioned on the basis: why would we seek to prescribe common sense? In case you find yourself nodding…
Down, down, prices are down … or are they?
In Brief Retailers must not mislead customers about the amount of money they are saving during advertised sale periods. ACCC v Jewellery Group Pty Limited (No 2) [2013] FCA 14 Last month, the Federal Court found that Zamel’s Jewellers engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct and made false or misleading representations by distributing…
Important Changes to Employment Law for 2013
Fair Work Changes Various amendments made to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) came into force on 1 January 2013. A significant change is to the time periods within which dismissal applications must be lodged with the renamed Fair Work Commission (formerly Fair Work Australia): The time for lodging an unfair dismissal claim increases…
Commonwealth Penalty Units to Rise by end 2012
The monetary amount of penalties for offences under Commonwealth legislation are set to increase significantly by the end of 2012 under legislation recently passed by Parliament. The legislation implementing the increase is contained in the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Serious Drugs, Identity Crime and Other Measures) Bill 2012, which was assented to…
Cheaper online option for patent applications
IP Australia’s Patent Office has introduced an online facility that now gives patent applicants and owners an easy and secure system for the electronic filing of patent applications and the ongoing management of those applications and any granted patents. Applicants (or their patent attorneys) can now apply online for: a provisional application…