Stay in touch with how the law affects you! Subscribe to our
Tired of unpredictable fees from ad hoc legal services?
News & Articles
Forum Law News keeps you informed
Forum Law News is a free e-news service that keeps you updated with developments in Australian law that may be of interest to you. Below are the articles linked from each edition of Forum Law News.
News Flash August 2017 
- Construction Law News – SOPA's tentacles reach the 21st century
- Property Law News – When is a loan is not a loan? After a stat dec
- PPSA Law News – The PPS lease is redefined … when are you protected?
- The Merits of Mediation – Find out why there can be four halves of one orange
#39 July 2017
- Property Law News – (Re)doing your duty
- Property Law News – Document your investment or lose it!
- Construction Law News – Clean up your Act – comply with SOPA
- Succession Law News – In any capacity
- Succession Law News – Inheritance FOMO: Fear of Missing Out!
News Flash June 2017
- PPSA Law News – We hate to say we told you so but ...
- Construction Law News – Preliminary agreements & home building contracts
- Construction Law News – The importance of reference dates to valid payment claims
- Property Law News – When buying property 'off the plan', know exactly who you're dealing with
#38 March–April 2017
- PPSA Law News – Back in the PPSR
- Contract Law News – Terminate your supply contract properly
- Contract Law News – The buck stops with you
- Property Law News – Amendments add protection for both retail landlords and tenants
News Flash March 2017
- Consumer Law News – Drip pricing targeted by the ACCC
- Construction Law News – Service of notices and claims: more than just "sticking it to them"
- Construction Law News – Reference dates required for valid payment claims
- Intellectual Property Law News – Not a (ceiling) fan of your work
#37 January–February 2016
-
Construction Law News – Is a party to a contract who is in breach of that contract entitled to terminate the contract?
- PPSA Law News – Old company charges may require a review
- PPSA Law News – The decision in the Forge Group case is upheld
- Intellectual Property Law News – Federal Court orders Pirate Bay to “ship out”
- Succession Law News – When is a will not a will?
#36 November–December 2016
- Insolvency Law News – A strict timeframe applies to dealing with statutory demands
- Intellectual Property Law News – An Apple a day … gives the trade mark away
- PPSA Law News – Timing is everything
#35 September–October 2016
- Property Law News – Protecting loans you make to your children
- Property Law News – The huge overhaul in strata schemes
- Construction Law News – Are you being served … a valid payment claim?
- Contract Law News – Assistance for David facing Goliath is fast approaching reality
News Flash September 2016
- Contract Law News – Debt collection tips
- Contract Law News – Unfair contracts
- Contract Law News – The thing about personal guarantees
- Property Law News – Check your stone before throwing in a glass house
#34 July–August 2016
- Company Law News – All company directors are created equal
- Property Law News – Reducing the red tape
- Property Law News – When the leasing honeymoon turns sour
- Intellectual Property Law News – Not-so-happy little AussieMites
- Intellectual Property Law News – The uniqueness of a brand asset must be regarded in context
- Insolvency Law News – Bankruptcy courts still need convincing that a debt is valid
News Flash July 2016
- Property Law News – The consequences of not understanding the terms of your lease
- Property Law News – Using the Conveyancing Act to get paid
- Property Law News – How to access a neighbour's property for your renovations
- Intellectual Property Law News – Monitor the use of your trade marks or risk deregistration
- Intellectual Property Law News – The importance of being specific about the use of a trade mark
- Intellectual Property Law News – Not a 'fan' of minor differences
#33 May–June 2016
- Property Law News – Unscrupulous practices in off-the-plan property sales
- Property Law News – New tax certification requirements for land sales
- Property Law News – Key reforms to the laws governing strata schemes
- Construction Law News – Home Building Act – a summary
- Company Law News – Dealing with illegal phoenix activity
News Flash May 2016
- Construction Law News – Claiming under the Home Building Compensation Fund
- Construction Law News – Courts provide guidance on serving a valid payment claim
- PPSA Law News – Fail to register your interest at your own peril
- Consumer Law News – Consumers are also protected by unfair contract provisions legislation
#32 March–April 2016
- Property Law News – A "heated" property market is no excuse for rushing a purchase
- Property Law News – New laws for residential swimming pools
- Succession Law News – Powers of Attorney: the finer points you may not know
- Employment Law News – Post-employment restraints: how effective are they when breached?
- Company Law News – The Federal Court provides some hope for the little guys vs the big boys
News Flash March 2016
- Contract Law News – How to secure payment for goods and services
- Trade Practices Law News – Help is on the way for small businesses in Australia where David vs Goliath
- Property Law News – When can a neighbour block your view with trees?
- Intellectual Property Law News – Capitalise on your "brand"
#31 January–February 2016
- Construction Law News – Developers and owners
- Property Law News – Put your mind at ease: a key to understanding some of the rights and restrictions on property
- Privacy Law News – What data retention laws mean for your business
- Insolvency Law News – Recovering debts with statutory demands
- Insolvency Law News – Secured creditors should be active in negotiating a DOCA
- Insolvency Law News – Insolvency reforms could help avoid business closures
#30 November–December 2015
- Construction Law News – Draft your contracts so you're not paying someone else's bills
- Construction Law News – Ensure you're not served a payment claim while closed for the holidays
- Employment Law News – What are the differences between employee and contractor?
- Property Law News – Exercising your option to renew a retail lease
#29 September–October 2015
- Construction Law News – How to enforce your payment claims against the principal (client) when the head contractor is under external administration
- Construction Law News – Does your contract clearly define all aspects of the project which you are working on?
- Contract Law News – Will you be bound by a contract agreed to in an email?
- Business Law News – Getting you through the small business maze
- Defamation Law News – Google can be liable for defamation
News Flash September 2015
- Business Law News – Buying a business – but have you missed something?
- Construction Law News – Are your payment claims really valid?
- Succession Law News – Promises, promises
#28 July–August 2015
- Succession Law News – When is a gift not a gift?
- Succession Law News – When is a will not a will?
- Succession Law News – When is a couple in fact a couple?
- Intellectual Property Law News – I'll have what she's having
- Intellectual Property Law News – Pirates of the Old West-ern Australia
News Flash July 2015
- Karen Schmitzer now a National Accredited Mediator
- Consumer Law News – Retailers and the Australian Consumer Law
- Contract Law News – An offer you can refuse ...
- Intellectual Property Law News – How not to step on your competitors' toes – even online
#27 May–June 2015
- Company Law News – Don't underestimate the obligations of a company director
- Construction Law News – Retention monies must now be quarantined in certified trust accounts
- Contract Law News – Full Court backs ANZ appeal on "penalty" fees
- Property Law News – When do fixtures form part of the leased premises?
News Flash June 2015
- Contract Law News – When is an electronic signature a valid signature for a binding contract?
- Employment Law News – Is your business protected against rogue employees or contractors?
- Construction Law News – How to avoid or minimise the big "sting" after a head contractor is wound up
#26 March–April 2015
- Company Law News – A case of shareholder activism highlights corporate opacity
- Insolvency Law News –
- Insolvency Law News – Late shelf order applications will be refused
- Succession Law News – Plaintiffs must prove need if challenging estate provisions
#25 January–February 2015
- Construction Law News – Home Building Act (NSW) amendments explained
- Intellectual Property Law News –
- Personal Property Securities Law News – Don't let your leased property be "gazumped" by a liquidator or administrator
- Succession Law News – Be careful what you wish for … when a grandchild gets too greedy
#24 September–October 2014
- Property Law News – Exercising the option to renew a retail or commercial lease? Don't get caught out
- Property Law News – Strata property investors beware!!! The builder's duty of care has reduced in the wake of the recent Brookfield case
- Consumer Law News – If your customers are in a vulnerable position, ensure your sales promises are bulletproof or risk paying a hefty price
- Employment Law News – "Employee" or "contractor"? That is the question
- Intellectual Property Law News – Identity theft and protecting your brand
#23 July–August 2014
- PPSA Law News – The big test for the "new" Personal Property Security regime
- Not-for-profit Law News – Which entity is the best "fit" for your not-for-profit organisation?
- Consumer Law News – Do your homework before you adopt a new name or brand
- Construction Law News – Payment claims on a building job require careful attention to detail
- Intellectual Property Law News – Use the PPSA to protect your IP, even if it's licensed to someone else
#22 May–June 2014
- Construction Law News – A broom through the laws relating to home builders and owners
- Construction Law News – Builders and related parties in NSW should be aware of recent changes to the SOPA
- Construction Law News – Construction contracts and a PPSA reminder
- Intellectual Property Law News – Protect your intellectual property
- Consumer Law News – Be vigilant about the wording of your advertising!
#21 March–April 2014
- Employment Law News – Employers have an implied term of mutual trust and confidence following redundancy
- PPSA Law News – Protect your assets against a liquidator
- Company Law News – Director’s duties: lessons from the James Hardie case
- Review: Succession Law – What you should know about Wills and Estates
#20 January–February 2014
- Construction Law News – Amendments to the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) to improve cash flow
- Property Law News – New obligations under the Swimming Pools Act
- Contract Law News – When is a fee a penalty?
- Contract Law News – Amendments to the Privacy Act
#19 September–October 2013
- Consumer Law News – A test for the Australian Consumer Law
- Consumer Law News – When is a contract "unfair"?
- Insolvency Law News – Don't think you can get away with it!
- Property Law News – When can an individual lot owner make claims on the Owners Corporation for facilities in a commercial building?
#18 July–August 2013
- PPSA Law News - Make sure the PPSA works for you, not against you
- Construction Law News - A wake up call for contractors who receive a payment claim under SOPA
- Property Law News - Sometimes it's difficult to "love thy neighbour"!
- Employment Law News - Beware the bullies!
- Company Law News - Shifting shareholder preferences in smaller family-based companies received High Court attention
- Company Law News - Silent directors must be both seen and heard
#17 May–June 2013
- Property Law News - Fitting out leased premises
- Property Law News - A raft of changes in legislation affects property lawyers, owners, developers and investors alike
- Taxation Law News - Partners to limited liability partnerships face increased risk
- Trade Practices Law News - Situations where courts may not find that one party took unconscionable advantage of the other in trade or commerce
- Trade Practices Law News - ACL compliance checklist
- Charities and Not-for-profits Law News - The new Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission
#16 March–April 2013
- Business Law News - BYOD (Bring your own device)
- Consumer Law News - "Gilding the lily" treads a legal minefield
- Consumer Law News - Google triumphs overs the ACCC
- Insolvency Law News - When chasing a debt from a company, be mindful of the pitfalls of statutory demands
- Succession Law News - Important legislative changes to the Powers of Attorney laws will affect principals and their attorneys in New South Wales
#15 January–February 2013
- Insolvency Law News - Liquidators' powers to "disclaim" leases
- Insolvency Law News - Safeguarding employee entitlements
- Administrative Law News - A new "super-tribunal" for New South Wales
- PPSA News - The brave new world of the Personal Property Securities Register
- Contract Law News - Taking banks to task on fees
#14 November–December 2012
- Succession Law News - Have you been left out in the cold in your parents’ wills?
- Business Law News - The power of your brand
- Construction Law News - Shrinking protections for owners corporations
- Company Law News - Avoiding personal liability as a company director
#13 September–October 2012
- Company Law News - A long and hard won battle
- Company Law News - Small and medium corporations dominating insolvency reports
- Company Law News - The Court ruling terms of settlement to be too harsh
- Construction Law News - Payment claim entitlements of Contractors
- Construction Law News - Strata Owners claiming for defective works
- Contract Law News - Registering your security interests
- Contract Law News - The role of misleading conduct in corporate collapse
#12 July–August 2012
- Company Law News - A change of direction regarding the rights of creditors
- Company Law News - Responsibilities of de facto company directors
- Contract Law News - The new Personal Property Securities Act and your obligations
- Contract Law News - Intellectual property and the PPSA
- Property Law News - Grants and concessions for first home owners
- Property Law News - When an option to renew notice is not a notice
#11 May–June 2012
- Succession Law News - When can your will be defeated or disregarded?
- Consumer Law News - Get the labelling right on your products
- Company Law News - James Hardie decision reminds directors of their duty not to mislead potential investors
- Company Law News - Company directors may be allowed to sidestep their duty to the company by pursuing a benefit for another company
- Trust Law News - Taxation liability for trust deeds and trust resolutions
- Construction Law News - Wet weather, rainy days and your contract
- Construction Law News - What the Clean Energy Act 2011 means for builders
#10 March–April 2012
- Business Law News - Have you considered the privacy aspects of your business?
- Consumer Law News - Do you supply to consumers? Make sure you are complying with the new rules…
- Property Law News - Definition of a “retail lease” reviewed
- Property Law News - Stamp duty exemptions and concessions affect new home buyers and builders
- Property Law News - New land tax thresholds
- Construction Law News - New provisions in the Home Building Act for home builders
- Company Law News - Look before you leap into helping out and advising a company
January–February 2012
- Property Law News - Personal Properties Securities: An Overview
#9 November–December 2011
- Employment Law News - National OHS harmonisation: are you ready for the new regime effective 1 January 2012?
- Construction Law News - The Home Building Act: significant changes in the new year
- Contract Law News - Personal Property Securities Act: changes to affect retention of title, off-site storage and security over assets
- Consumer Law News - Consumer guarantees: warranty against defects prescribed from 1 January 2012
#8 September–October 2011
- Company Law News - The fall-out from the Centro case: implications for directors unfold
- Company Law News - More alarm bells for directors: the court orders a director to pay damages to a creditor?
- Company Law News - Timbercorp and directors’ duties of disclosure
- Trust Law News - Duties owed by trustees to beneficiaries with respect to income-earning assets such as an investment property
- Construction Law News - Establish effective procedures for payment claims and schedules
- Property Law News - Clarifying the nature of excess payments on Home Owners Warranty insurance claims
- Employment Law News - When is the dismissal of an employee for breach of OH&S standards or safety policies considered “harsh, unjust or unreasonable”?
- Consumer Law News - Repairers of consumer goods note: new laws regarding the repair of goods under the Australian Consumer Law
#7 July–August 2011
- Property Law News - An owners corporation has broad powers to make by-laws
- Contract Law News - Are you ready for the new PPSA regime? Be aware of the “transition” provisions
- Contract Law News - Can you use email to serve notices under a contract?
- Contract Law News - Courts review why it is critical to include all the agreed terms in a contract
- Company Law News - (Another) wake up call for Directors from the Centro case
- Insolvency Law News - When is a company deemed insolvent in a winding up application?
- Family Trusts Law News - Review the tax implications for beneficiaries of your family trust
#6 May–June 2011
- Contract Law News - The new Australian Consumer Law
- Building Law News Subcontractors rights have been expanded under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payments Act
- Building Law News - The Disability (Access to Buildings – Premises) Standards 2011
- Building Law News - Planning power reverts to councils and other authorities
- Property Law News - Amendment to the exception on duties for senior citizens
- Property Law News - Removal of the Torrens Assurance Levy
- Property Law News - Correctly exercising options for renewal of leases
- Property Law News - Shedding obsolete easements with the Conveyancing Act
- Business Law News - Ensure your customer guarantees are valid
#5 March–April 2011
- Construction Law News - The Building & Construction Industry Security for Payments Act
- Employment Law News - The definition of a “small business” for the purposes of Unfair Dismissal provision in The Fair Work Act has changed as from 1 January 2011
- Insolvency Law News - Beware of trying to be too smart in trying to offload assets to defeat creditors where there is a risk of bankruptcy
- Property Law News - Increase in enquiries from landlords and tenants seeking to enforce or review their obligations under a commercial or retail lease
- Contract Law News - The recent case of Saleh v. Rannous emphasises that it is critical to confirm with whom you are dealing in a contract and what they are promising & The new Personal Property Securities Act
- Succession Law News - Have you thought about updating your will as you and your proposed beneficiaries get older?
#4 November–December 2010
- Building Law News - Consequences of supplying non-compliant goods
- Building Law News - Impact of rising material costs on contracts
- Contract Law News - The new Personal Property Securities Act 2009 [“PPSA”]
- Contract Law News - Recent legislative developments in consumer contracts and consumer credit law
- Property Law News - Strata Schemes and the Duties of Managing Agents
- Property Law News - Neighbourhood Disputes: Access to Neighbouring Land Act 2000
- Company Law News - Director Penalty Notices [DPNs]
