This week I write about growth, not only as a concept, but also growth in our local economy. My inspiration is the Coffs Chamber’s support for local economic growth, that I see so much good local economic growth even in tough times, that my own legal business is steadily growing and a debate between Adam […]
This week The Economist reports that a number of companies have bold ambitions to use satellites, drones and balloons to bring the Internet to the unconnected (The Economist, April 11th 2015 ‘Expanding the internet Sky-Fi’). They write that only 2% of the world’s population was online in 1997, now there are 3 billion people are […]
Recently this newspaper reported that the Coffs Harbour Chamber of Commerce weighed in on an extremist advertising campaign against a much loved local business, Dolphin Marine Magic. When that business approached the Chamber, the Chamber’s response was to consider the matter without delay, swiftly followed by forceful and effective action to bring the campaign to […]
This past weekend, Dolphin Marine Magic, a Coffs Chamber member held an Annual General Meeting. People at DMM were privileged and able to rescue, rehabilitate and release over 60 marine mammals in one year. That includes successful release of two dolphins and two fur seals and DMM now has one of the highest marine turtle […]
In over 20 years experience as a commercial solicitor and trusted adviser, I have seen many clients thrive in business. On the other hand, some struggle. A few stand-out threats that can play a role in lacklustre business performance are: Lack of adequate due diligence when buying the business or starting the business from scratch. […]
The law is not a natural science that works in absolute mathematic terms, rather it is a social science, so the very high accuracy rate of findings by our courts is extraordinary. Also, there can be a right of appeal where a party is dissatisfied with an outcome. So, in a recent case the court […]
It is seldom that the intricacies of legal principle cause delay in any sale or purchase of business. More likely, the practicalities play a bigger role. So, in a recent case, trouble started when the purchaser of a business was allowed to take possession of the business on exchange of contracts, after payment of only […]
This week I touch on shareholders agreements. These are agreements that can go a long way to avoid disputes amongst business owners and should disputes arise, to resolve those disputes or provide a mechanism to do so, and failing that can provide owners with exit mechanisms. Shareholders agreements can also deal with strategic issues, such […]
Today, I write about restraints of trade in the employer/employee context. Commercially, restraint of trade clauses can be valuable to facilitate greater participation for employees in a business. This is supported by the case law; restraints are more likely to be enforced should employees have been involved in the nitty-gritty of management, marketing and client […]
The Productivity Commission has released a draft report on Australia’s intellectual property arrangements, including copyright. The report calls for action to rebalance Australia’s IP system and the Productivity Commission has made it known in a fact sheet that it is keen to hear the public’s feedback on the draft report. Further, the draft report finds […]
