What are we learning from Royal Commissions and Inquiries?

Misrepresentation in commercial contracts can expose businesses to significant legal and financial consequences, particularly where inaccurate statements, misleading disclosures, or unrealistic forecasts induce entry into a transaction. Under Australian law, parties may pursue remedies through both common law misrepresentation claims and statutory misleading or deceptive conduct provisions under the Australian Consumer Law, with potential outcomes including rescission, damages, and compensation orders.

Force majeure clauses in Australian contracts determine whether extraordinary events can suspend, delay, or excuse contractual obligations, but relief depends entirely on precise wording and strict compliance with notice and mitigation requirements. Understanding when businesses can legally invoke force majeure versus when they risk breach of contract claims is critical for managing commercial disruption.

Frustration of contract is widely misunderstood in Australian law, with many assuming contracts automatically end when circumstances become difficult or expensive. This guide examines the strict legal test applied by Australian courts, explaining when supervening events truly discharge contractual obligations and why financial hardship, increased costs, and commercial difficulties typically fall short of the frustration threshold.

Consideration is a legal term used to refer to the benefit that parties to a legal agreement or a contract receive.

This article explores the suburbs in Sydney with the highest and lowest crime rates.

On 26 June 2026, the Federal Court of Australia delivered judgment in Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited [2026] FCA 832, ordering Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited (MSAL) to pay $10.3 million in penalties and $1.2 million in costs.

A contractor agreement determines who pays when work goes wrong. Independent contractors carry their own commercial risk, unlike employees, so the agreement allocates that risk in detail. Liability commonly arises from breach of contract, intellectual property infringement, and breaches of confidentiality. Indemnities, liability caps and insurance requirements are the three tools that allocate it. Australian law puts limits on that allocation. Consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law apply automatically, and no contract can exclude them.

Dividends are a common way for companies to distribute value to shareholders, but whether to declare or pay a dividend is not simply a commercial decision. Directors must ensure that any dividend complies with the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act), the company’s constitution and relevant governance requirements, while considering their duties to the company and its creditors.

On 18 February 2011 the Full Federal Court unanimously overturned the 2009 Federal Court ruling which cleared Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) and its Chairman and CEO Mr Andrew Forrest of misleading and deceptive conduct.

Australia’s public M&A market proved its ability to adapt to uneasy market conditions in FY26, seeing $42.1 billion in deal activity across 57 transactions, according to a new report from leading global law firm...

Temporary ban on foreign purchases of established dwellings in Australia for a period of at least two years from 1/4/25.

The general rule is that a business cannot send unsolicited emails to market, sell, and promote their goods and services.

In organisations such as health and aged care providers, the Board is responsible for corporate and clinical governance.

Employers should proactively review employment agreements to consider if contact outside of working hours is necessary.

The amendments intend to create a safe harbour for company directors from personal liability for insolvent trading.

In this medical negligence case, both parties called expert evidence to consider what was competent professional practice.

This medico-legal expert discusses COVID-19's impact on personal injury claims and performing virtual assessments.

This podcast discusses electronic signatures and their impact on daily legal practice and service delivery for clients.

Episode 4 of Holman Webb's Legal Lockdown series discusses the privacy and security implications of the COVIDSafe App.

As a Director, you must apply for a DIN in the relevant timeframe to avoid exposure to criminal or civil sanctions.