By David Robbins (Principal Solicitor) and Laura-Jane Palma (Lawyer) The ACCC has succeeded in Federal Court action against Swiss-based online ticket reseller Viagogo, with the Court finding Viagogo’s advertising practices were false and misleading in breach of the Australian Consumer Law. Following hundreds of complaints received from disgruntled consumers, the ACCC’s case centred on a … Read more
KHQ Lawyers will promote Gina Capasso and Claire Brown, both from the firm’s workplace relations & safety group, to the role of principal solicitor, commencing 1 July 2019. Ms Capasso joined KHQ Lawyers in 2016, with a distinguished 20-year career at Ashurst and Gadens. Appointed initially as a team-lead for safety, she has made her … Read more
In April 2019, the High Court of Australia will hear an appeal regarding the legal parentage of a child born as a result of an artificial conception procedure from a known sperm donor. The case is significant, and the decision will potentially impact countless Australian families. Background The Applicants in this case are a lesbian … Read more
The Treasury Laws Amendment (Enhancing Whistleblower Protections) Bill 2018 has recently passed both houses of parliament and is now awaiting royal assent. The Bill was introduced in response to the perceived lack of a protection scheme applicable to whistleblowers in the corporate arena, and the complexities raised by the otherwise “confusing web” of existing whistleblower … Read more
On 14 March 2019, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services released its report entitled ‘Fairness in Franchising’. The first recommendation of the Report is that an inter-agency Franchising Taskforce be established to examine the feasibility and implementation of a number of the Committee’s recommendations. It is recommended that the Taskforce include representatives … Read more
Concerns in Australia and New Zealand around conflicts arising from the new business model of publicly listed companies acquiring multiple Australian and New Zealand IP firms have continued to increase over the past 12 months. As you may recall, these concerns are centered on the independence of these firms, conflict issues and disclosure to clients … Read more
By Jack Stuk (National Tax Partner and President of NTAA Ltd) and Jonathan Slade (Lawyer) The government has progressed legislation through parliament which will extend the penalties and enforcement measures applying in relation to superannuation guarantee charge (SGC), PAYG withholding tax and GST, including imprisonment. These new measures are contained in the Treasury Laws Amendment … Read more
By Amelia Edwards (Senior Associate) and Adrian Faelli (Lawyer) A manufacturer of bottled alkaline water, endorsed by celebrity chef Pete Evans, has fallen foul of the advertising industry’s Food and Beverages Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (the Code). But, given the nature of the claims made in relation to this product, is this an issue … Read more
By Iain Irvine (Principal) and Jessica McNamara (Associate) Federal Court gives further direction on required content of annual marketing fund statements The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s recent investigations into the conduct of well known motor repairer, Ultra Tune, have resulted in the Federal Court ordering Ultra Tune to pay a penalty of $2,604,000 to … Read more
