Business Law and Corporate Law

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has proposed significant reforms to pre-lodgement advertising rules that would allow companies to communicate more freely with markets before filing disclosure documents. While offering greater flexibility for IPO offerors to gauge interest and address market commentary, the changes raise important questions about investor protection and the potential for premature investment decisions based on incomplete information.

Capital raising is often treated as a discrete event – a round closes, the money lands, and the business moves on. However, for some start-ups and scale-ups, raising capital is a long-term lifecycle decision: each raise shapes the next one, and early decisions around structure, disclosure settings and investor rights can compound over time.

Perfecting a security interest under the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) (PPSA) is critical step for a secured party to ensure its security interest is not just enforceable against the grantor of the interest, but also against third parties. Perfection can occur by one of three ways: possession, control or registration on the PPS Register.

When setting up a charity, one of the most important early decisions is selecting the appropriate legal structure. This choice affects how the organisation is governed, its legal responsibilities, and its ability to grow and access funding. Two of the most common options are Incorporated Association (IA) and public Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG). However, each structure offers advantages and limitations depending on the charity’s size, scope, funding sources, and regulatory obligations.

A NSW case revolved around the question of whether or not a man had revoked a will, and whether his intentions were better reflected by a newer, unsigned will.

Time and time again, the statutory minority oppression regime under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Act) is a relevant issue that shows up in different forums.

Australia's privacy framework is undergoing its most significant transformation in nearly four decades with the release of the Privacy Amendment (Personal Data Protection) Bill 2026. The Bill introduces a new "fair and reasonable" test for handling personal information, establishes a controller-processor framework, and creates a right of erasure for large digital platforms. Core definitions including personal information, sensitive information, consent, and de-identification are being comprehensively overha

FY26 saw a steady stream of successful control transactions despite geopolitical tensions and shifting monetary policy settings. Mega deals returned to levels in line with the five-year average, private equity bidding increased, and total deal value rose.

Understanding the specific requirements for a company to qualify as a special purpose superannuation trustee company is crucial for accessing reduced ASIC annual renewal fees. Senior associate Keeghan Silcock explains the two essential conditions: the company's constitution must expressly prohibit income or property distribution to members, and the company must act solely as trustee of a regulated superannuation fund.

The 2026–27 Budget's capital gains tax (CGT) reforms are the most significant recalibration of the investor tax base in 25 years. For gains accruing from 1 July 2027, the 50 per cent CGT discount available...

Employee share schemes can become complicated assets in property settlements, especially when equity vests after separation. Australian family courts treat unvested options, performance rights and bonuses differently depending on timing and conditions, with case law pulling in conflicting directions on whether they constitute divisible property or merely financial resources.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors measure how responsibly a company operates across its environmental impact, treatment of people, and standards of governance. As investors, customers, and employees demand greater accountability, ESG oversight has become a core board responsibility, not an optional add-on.