Before concluding that you have a family trust distribution tax liability, have you considered whether the trustee of the family trust has complied with the trust deed?

The language used in a contract can significantly impact its enforceability. Reliance on the incorporation of an obligation to act in good faith will not necessarily result in an outcome sought. This was considered in the recent Supreme Court decision in Beecham Motors Pty Ltd v General Motors Holden Australia NSC Pty Ltd, which provides guidance for those with or considering a franchise agreement and the drafters of franchise agreements. #franchise_agreements #good_faith #franchisee_group_action

The 2025-2026 Victorian State Budget contains no new taxes or increased taxes, however previously announced changes have been confirmed – including increases to the congestion/car parking levy and the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy.

Sladen Legal is delighted to have been identified by clients and peers for expertise and abilities in the 2024 listing of recommended Victorian Property & Real Estate Law Firms - Victoria, 2025

On 6 March 2025, Associate Justice Barrett handed down his decision in the matter of Duke Ventures Wellington Street Pty Ltd [2025] VSC 75. In this case, the Court clarified when a debtor can rely on an offsetting claim to set aside a statutory demand in a dispute adjudicated under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic) (SOPA).

#insolvency #statuory_demand  #creditors #securityforpayments

Our recent article on the proposed Division 296 tax has sparked some discussions, particularly as to whether benefits should be taken out and, if so, when they should be taken out.

With the recent Labor election victory, and a potentially friendlier Senate, it is likely that the proposed Division 296 tax of an additional 15% on members with a $3 million or more total super balance (not indexed) will be enacted. See here for our previous commentary on the measure.

The Full Federal Court case of Commissioner of Taxation v Liang [2025] FCAFC 4 serves as a reminder that when challenging an ATO decision at a court or tribunal, it is the taxpayer who carries the burden of proving that an assessment is excessive and what the assessment should have been.

A Victorian foreign purchaser who bought a property in her own name with funding provided by her Australian spouse was unsuccessful in a VCAT request for exemption from foreign purchaser stamp duty surcharge in Sim v Commissioner of State Revenue [2025] VCAT 349.

The matter of Ford Kinter & Associates Pty Ltd v Reliance Franchise Partners Pty Ltd (in liq) [2025] FCA 139 emphasises the important role that creditors can play in facilitating asset recovery during insolvency proceedings. It further examines the broad discretionary powers the courts have under section 564 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the Act), which enables courts to reward creditors who take on the financial risks of litigation to be prioritised when recovering company property or expenses in a winding up due to the risk assumed by them. In doing so, the court considers the public interest in encouraging creditors to provide indemnities so as to enable assets to be recovered.

#insolvency #liquidation #creditors #publicinterest

This year nine of Sladen Legal’s lawyers have been recognised in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers® in Australia. With Daniel Smedley being awarded Lawyer of the Year in the Trusts and Estates area of practice.

Withholding information whilst negotiating agreements can amount to misleading and deceptive conduct. However, the recent Supreme Court decision in Sec New Line Pty Ltd v Muffin Break Pty Ltd provides important guidance on when silence will become deceptive, specifically in the context of lease and franchising renewals.