Sladen Snippet - Proposed Licensing Regime for the Franchising Sector – chance to submit views

Sladen Snippet - Proposed Licensing Regime for the Franchising Sector – chance to submit views

In November 2024, the Government introduced a consultation paper proposing the incorporation of a licensing regime for the franchising sector.

Is your settlement payment unsettling you?

Is your settlement payment unsettling you?

The income tax treatment of settlement payments received under an agreement depends on the circumstances surrounding the entering into of the agreement, not just the terms of the agreement.

Can you Mislead or Deceive Someone if You Have Honestly Relied on Your Lawyers Advice? A Case Study on ASIC v Retail Employees Superannuation Pty Ltd

Can you Mislead or Deceive Someone if You Have Honestly Relied on Your Lawyers Advice? A Case Study on ASIC v Retail Employees Superannuation Pty Ltd

The Federal Court of Australia’s judgment in ASIC v Retail Employees Superannuation Pty Ltd highlights that if a corporation honestly relies on advice from their lawyers that may provide reasonable grounds to defend the making of a representation that concerns the present state of affairs.

The Federal Court found that representations made by Retail Employees Superannuation Pty Ltd (REST) regarding their rules and practice were opinions expressed as to the law based on reasonable grounds due to reliance on advice received from their lawyers and other trusted sources. Therefore, the representations made could not amount to misleading or deceptive conduct.

Debt deduction creation rules – coming to a private group near you

Debt deduction creation rules – coming to a private group near you

While the thin capitalisation rules have traditionally had limited application to many private groups, the new debt deduction creation rules (DDCR) that apply from 1 July 2024 are a clear creep into that space.

Sladen Legal’s Tax Practice Recognised In Doyles Guide Victoria 2024

Sladen Legal’s Tax Practice Recognised In Doyles Guide Victoria 2024

Sladen Legal has been recognised as a Third Tier Leading Tax Law Firm in Victoria for 2024 by Doyle's Guide. Doyle's Guide is a respected and independent directory that highlights Australia’s top firms and legal professionals.

Why it is important to have disclaimers: a lesson learned from Mallonland Pty Ltd v Advanta Seeds Pty Ltd

Why it is important to have disclaimers:  a lesson learned from Mallonland Pty Ltd v Advanta Seeds Pty Ltd

The High Court of Australia’s judgment in Mallonland Pty Ltd & Anor v Advanta Seeds Pty Ltd [2024] HCA 25 emphasised the significance of incorporating clearly written disclaimers on your product’s packaging to limit your liability for pure economic loss claims in negligence.

The Importance of Clear and Formal Documentation by Companies: Lessons from Aurora Australasia Pty Ltd v Hunt Prosperity Pty Ltd

The Importance of Clear and Formal Documentation by Companies: Lessons from Aurora Australasia Pty Ltd v Hunt Prosperity Pty Ltd

A company director’s request to redeem money from a unit trust has been rejected by the Court. The New South Wales Supreme Court ruling emphasises the need for clear documentation of intended transactions within a company structure.

‘Subject to’: why these words can be a trap when contracting if you are not clear about what you intend.

‘Subject to’: why these words can be a trap when contracting if you are not clear about what you intend.

The specific wording of a contract is crucial to its interpretation and may be beneficial or a trap to parties. Many parties fail to understand the implications that the well-known phrase ‘subject to contract’ will have on their agreements. Masters v Cameron (1954) 91 CLR 353 is the leading Australian case which examines the consequences of certain wording on parties to a contract, and whether such wording leads to an enforceable and binding contract. 

Sladen Snippet - PBR determines that death benefit to a spouse’s estate is not tax free

Sladen Snippet - PBR determines that death benefit to a spouse’s estate is not tax free

Is the payment of a death benefit to a spouse’s estate tax free? The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released a Private Binding Ruling 1052273158502 (PBR) in which it determined that it was not under section 302-10(2) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 97).

Sladen Snippet - Absolute Vision Technologies – Former SMSF corporate trustee in administration but still holds SMSF property

Sladen Snippet - Absolute Vision Technologies – Former SMSF corporate trustee in administration but still holds SMSF property

What happens if the former trustee of an SMSF is still the registered proprietor of an SMSF property and goes into administration? This issue was considered in the decision of Re Absolute Vision Technologies Pty Ltd (subject to deed of company administration) [2024] NSWSC 1010 (13 August 2024). There, the Court ordered that a contract be completed where the former trustee entered into a contract of sale of real estate (Suite 901) notwithstanding it was in administration.

Sladen Snippet - Consultation process Franchising code of conduct review

Sladen Snippet - Consultation process Franchising code of conduct review

The Australian government has proposed reforms to the Competition and Consumer Act in response to the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct and Franchising Code of Conduct reviews. The consultation process closes on 4 October 2024 and welcomes submissions from interested stakeholders.

Sladen Snippet – Proposed law to allow conversion of legacy pensions and reserves

Sladen Snippet – Proposed law to allow conversion of legacy pensions and reserves

At long last proposed regulations have been released for consultation that would permit the conversion of legacy pensions and reserves over a 5 year period. As a nice added bonus, the regulations will also better allow allocations from non-pension reserves.

Sladen Snippet - Private Wealth Advisor Program: advisors beware – you are on the ATO’s watch list

Sladen Snippet - Private Wealth Advisor Program: advisors beware – you are on the ATO’s watch list

Over the course of the last year, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has repeatedly indicated in various forums that advisors are in the ATO’s sights.

Sladen Snippet – Gainer Part 6 – SMSF trustee indemnity

Sladen Snippet – Gainer Part 6 – SMSF trustee indemnity

In the decision of In the matter of Gainer Associates Pty Limited [2024] NSWSC 1138, the Court amongst other things gave advice that the self managed superannuation fund (SMSF) corporate trustee (Gainer Associates Pty Ltd – referred to as Gainer) could be indemnified from the assets of the SMSF in relation to all issues disclosed to the Court in that application for judicial advice.