This newsletter covers a range of topics, with information about recent legal developments and legal basics. In this issue: New consumer contract rights now in play, considering the mental illness of offenders, new laws on elder law and succession, the limitations of limitation clauses with tenders, defamation and bad reputation after the event as well as intellectual property on the internet.

This newsletter covers a range of topics, with information about recent legal developments and legal basics. In this issue: Major reform of freedom of information laws, internet service providers not held responsible for illegal downloads, tax responsibility of executors, when a tender price can be changed after the closing date as well as the traps to watch for with vendor finance and mortgage duty.

This newsletter covers a range of topics, with recent legal developments and legal basics. In this issue: How to set aside statutory demands, ending an employment relationship may not end the contract - consequences of breaching a direction, breaking the franchising rules but not the franchise agreement, avenues for litigating the effects of climate change as well as the importance of being careful with confidential information.

Individuals have a number of rights under Australian legislation, which gives you greater control over the way your personal information is collected and dealt with.

Finacial Planning for your future is highly recommended, but what happens if your Advisor gets it wrong?

29 April 2008

The Federal government yesterday announced proposals for reform to the misuse of market power and unconscionable conduct provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) (Act).

24 April

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) took the unusual step of announcing that following an extensive investigation into allegations of misleading and deceptive and unconscionable conduct towards franchisees, it had decided not to take any further action franchisor Bakers Delight. In an environment where franchisors are increasingly being placed under the ACCC spotlight, this will be a welcome announcement for franchisors.

23 April 2008

The recent decision of the University of Western Australia vs Grayhanded down by the Federal Court of Australia has taken a narrow approach to the issue of when a university is entitled to ownership of inventions developed by their academic staff. The decision also highlights a need for universities to consider the appropriate method of incorporating IP policies into their current contracts of employment.

16 April 2008

The Department of State and Regional Development has issued a discussion paper outling the issues said to affect the Retail Leasing Industry in New South Wales.

9 April 2008

On 2 April 2008, the New South Wales parliament released a draft of the State Revenue Legislation Amendment Bill 2008. The Bill aims to introduce new and extend existing concessions while inserting anti-avoidance provisions into others. The Bill proposed to amend, amongst other legislation, the Duties Act 1997 and the Land Tax Management Act 1956. This bulletin focuses on changes to the Duties Act 1997 only, having regard to what is likely to be most relevant to business.s

1 April 2008

On 30 March 2008, the Federal Government announced that it will proceed with amendments to the Trade Practices Act 1974 (TPA) relating to component pricing and has released the Trade Practices Amendment (Component Pricing and Other Measures) Bill 2008 (draft Bill) for public comment.