The case of Bellas v Powers [2023] NSW SC involved a dispute over the enforceability of a clause that imposed a higher interest rate on a loan facility in the event of default. The court held that the clause was a penalty as it was extravagant and unconscionable in comparison with the greatest loss that could be proved to have followed from the breach. The term was therefore deemed void and unenforceable.

We recently posted an article on the importance of the often forgotten Harman obligation that legal practitioners do not use documents obtained through a compulsory court process for a collateral purpose. This article describes a disciplinary decision about a practitioner who unintentionally breached the Harman obligation. It underscores the importance for practitioners to understand their obligations to the Court.

In 2016 the Australian government introduced a new law that will come into effect on 9 November 2023 to protect small business from unfair terms in business-to-business standard form contracts. Are you are compliant?

Foreign investors will be required to provide notice to the Commissioner of Taxation of certain transactions relating to interests held in land and in entities and businesses in Australia.

Transactions that occur on or after 1 July 2023 are captured by the new Register of Foreign Ownership of Australian Assets, irrespective of when an approval was granted, (if any).

Over the last couple of years, the Franchising Code of Conduct has increased the disclosure obligations on franchisors. However, franchisors have always had to make sure that, in simple terms, they deliver what they promise to franchisees.

Under the Australian Consumer Law, franchisors can be liable where they engage in misleading or deceptive conduct – which can include promising an amount of start-up costs without a reasonable basis.

The Federal Court recently found that this is what took place within the ‘UFC Gym’ system in Australia.

Holman Webb Lawyers is expanding its capability in several teams to support ongoing growth, announcing the addition of three partners across our Sydney and Melbourne offices.

Holman Webb Lawyers is proud to announce eight promotions across three offices, effective 1 July 2023.

The NSW Court of Appeal recently delivered an interesting judgment in the matter of Scenic Tours Pty Ltd v Moore [2023] NSWCA 74.

The Plaintiff in this matter, Mr David Moore, was the lead Plaintiff in a class action against Scenic Tours by thousands of disgruntled cruise ship passengers from multiple separate cruises.

For extra context, we suggest reading our 2020 article discussing Moore v Scenic Tours Pty Ltd [2020] HCA 17: Damages for ‘Disappointment and Distress’ Available to Consumers for Breaches of Consumer Guarantees for Travel and Recreational Contracts.

Holman Webb is pleased to announce that eleven lawyers have been included in the 2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia, and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Australia. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. 

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has ordered Booktopia Pty Ltd (‘Booktopia’) to pay $6 million dollars in penalties for breaches of the Australian Consumer Law.

Specifically, Booktopia was found to have made false and misleading representations regarding consumer rights and guarantees in the Terms of Business provided on their website, and by their customer relations and service staff working within their service centres.