June

Amendments to the National Consumer Credit Protection Regulations - and more on the way - The Australian Government has released amendments to the National Consumer Credit Protection Regulations, as a result of further consultations with industry - and more are on the way.
Clayton Utz advises on Australian Top 100 global projects - The reputation of Clayton Utz's Major Projects practice for being at the cutting-edge of major infrastructure project activity in Australia and globally has been reinforced with the release of the "Infrastructure 100" - a joint initiative of KMPG and Infrastructure Journal.
Clayton Utz advises on Wattyl acquisition - Clayton Utz is advising well-known Australian paint manufacturer Wattyl Limited on its proposed acquisition by major American coatings manufacturer The Valspar Corporation.
Clayton Utz advises Valemus Limited on $1.3bn IPO - Clayton Utz has advised Valemus Limited (formerly Bilfinger Berger Australia) in relation to its A$1.3 billion Initial Public Offering.
Clayton Utz appoints new partner in Perth - Clayton Utz is pleased to announce the promotion of Nick Cooper to the partnership effective 1 July 2010.
Clayton Utz attracts Asia project finance specialist - Clayton Utz continues to deliver on its commitment to providing clients with first-class legal services with the announcement that leading Asia Pacific project finance lawyer Bruce Cooper will join the firm's Sydney Banking & Financial Services practice as a partner in September, from UK magic circle firm Freshfields.
Clayton Utz develops Asian international arbitration platform - Clayton Utz has recently expanded its operations internationally by opening an office in Hong Kong focusing initially on providing clients with services in International Arbitration and Construction & Major Projects.
Clayton Utz hosts farewell for participants in Australia-China Legal Development Program - Clayton Utz has hosted a farewell cocktail function at their Sydney office for ten Chinese lawyers who recently completed the three-month Australia - China Legal Professional Development Program.
Clayton Utz named Best Australian Law Firm at International Legal Summit - For the second year running, Clayton Utz has been named joint winner of the Best Australian Law Firm of the Year at the 2010 International Legal Alliance (ILA) Summit and Awards held in Paris, France on 3 June.
Court or arbitration? Victorian appeal court respects parties' intentions - Lee Carroll says a recent decision by the Victorian Court of Appeal shows a welcome respect for parties' intention to have disputes decided by arbitration.
Essay prize recognises CU senior associate's original thought - Construction & Major Projects senior associate Mathew Stulic has been awarded The UK Society of Construction Law's (SCL) prestigious SCL Hudson Prize.
Finalised ACCC guide to the unfair contract terms law now out - The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission's guide to the unfair contract terms law, which explains the new unfair contracts terms in the Australian Consumer Law, has now been released.
Financial adviser commissions to be banned - The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services' report, Inquiry into Financial Products and Services in Australia, is the basis for the Future of Financial Advice reforms.
Franchisors must comply with new disclosure and dispute resolution requirements from 1 July 2010 - From 1 July 2010 Australian franchisors will need to comply with expanded disclosure requirements which not only will mean they must make changes to their disclosure documents, but also begin collecting new types of information.
Government paves the way for "digital dividend" auction - The process for the reallocation of broadcasting spectrum that will result from the switch off of analog television has become clearer following announcements by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
IBA revises rules for the taking of evidence in international arbitration - The International Bar Association has revised its rules for the taking of evidence in international arbitration. Björn Gehle and Mark Gillard look at key changes to the rules and what these will mean for parties using them in an international arbitration.
Is the duty of confidentiality in international commercial arbitration an unwarranted assumption? - Confidentiality is regarded as one of the significant benefits of arbitration, but as Saloni Kantaria explains, recent decisions suggest that the scope of arbitral confidentiality is far from a settled issue.
Major consumer law changes bring new reporting requirement for product safety incidents - A new notification requirement for suppliers where consumer goods have caused (or may have caused) death or serious injury/illness has been introduced by the new Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Bill (No. 2) 2010.
New appointments - The depth of our Construction and Major Projects group has been recognised with our recent appointments and promotions.
New bill deals with creeping acquisitions under section 50 of the Trade Practices Act - The Australian Government has introduced the Competition and Consumer Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 into Parliament, a bill which will amend section 50 of the Trade Practices Act to deal with creeping acquisitions.
New duty concessions and exemptions from 1 July 2010 - The State Revenue Legislation Amendment Act 2010 (NSW) amends the Duties Act 1997 (NSW) by amongst other things establishing a new duty concession scheme for new housing, called the NSW Home Builders Bonus (Scheme) which will apply from 1 July 2010.
New NSW Land Transfer Charge from 1 July 2010 - All land transfers in New South Wales will be subject to an ad valorem Land Transfer Charge from 1 July 2010, following an announcement by the NSW Government and the partial assent of the State Revenue Legislation Amendment Bill 2010.
NSW Budget changes to benefit asset-backed securitisations - As part of the budget package released today by the New South Wales Treasurer, the State Revenue Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 was introduced.
Paid parental leave scheme now passed, so make sure you're ready for it - Australia now has a paid parental leave scheme, following the passage last night of the Paid Parental Leave Bill 2010 by the Federal Parliament.
Project not going so well? Want a fast, cost-effective, efficient process to resolve the problems? - Doug Jones and Julia Dreosti explain why arbitration is that process, and how a major legislative reform and two recent decisions of the New South Wales Court of Appeal and the Victorian Supreme Court could help make it the dispute resolution process of choice in Australia.
Reagitating claims under SOP legislation - Implications for claimants and respondents - An adjudicator makes a determination on a claim under security of payment legislation. Can an unhappy claimant have a second go in the courts? Nick Christopoulos and Jack Fan look at the latest developments.
Save the date… 2010 International Arbitration Lecture - Renowned international arbitrator Sally Harpole will be our guest lecturer at the ninth annual International Arbitration Lecture.
Should ticket onselling be regulated, asks new issues paper - The Australian Government's Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Council is looking at whether ticket onselling, including scalping, should be regulated, says Chris McLeod.
Statements made "without prejudice" - when are admissions protected? - Victor Lau discusses when - and how - your admissions are protected, especially in the context of security of payment disputes and mediation.
Stop press - Amendments to International Arbitration Act passed - The Australian Parliament has just passed the International Arbitration Amendment Bill, which is intended to make Australia even more attractive as a seat for international arbitration. The bulk of the changes will come into effect upon Royal Assent, which is expected soon.
Streamlining Commonwealth controls of uranium mining - The Commonwealth Government has just released its response to Deloitte's 2008 Review of Regulatory Efficiency in Uranium Mining, which suggests the possibility of major changes to the environmental regulation of uranium mining.
That's not fair! The Australian Government reforms the law of unconscionable conduct - The ACCC is to be given greater powers to take action for breaches of the unconscionable conduct provisions in the new Australian Consumer Law, under changes in the new Competition and Consumer Legislation Amendment Bill 2010.
The enforcement of Chinese arbitral awards in Australia - A case study - Until recently the enforcement of a Chinese award remained relatively untested in Australia. Shun Cheng looks at a recent successful enforcement, and why it should give foreign parties confidence in the Australian legal system.
The latest research into healthcare PPPs - implications for Australia - A new report gives some interesting insights into the benefits that the PPP "whole of life" procurement model can continue to bring to the procurement and operation of healthcare facilities, says Stuart Cosgriff.
What is a complaint under the Commercial Radio Codes of Practice? - A commercial radio licensee must act quickly when someone complains about a breach of the Codes of Practice - but what is a complaint? Mary Still and Kate Jordan look for answers in a recent case.
When is a document executed as a deed in fact an agreement? - Deeds are often used in the construction industry, but what makes it a deed? Frazer Moss and Rachel Pie examine a recent case for some answers.
Whiskas purple colour mark gets up in Federal Court - A successful application for a colour mark should give brand owners some encouragement to explore registering their own colour marks, say Mary Still and Brett Doyle.
Why did the owners of a derrick barge enjoy immunity from being sued in Hong Kong courts? - Queen Elizabeth and the Chinese Government might not seem to have much in common, but a recent Hong Kong decision found some common ground - crown immunity. Colin Dodd and Victor Lau explain the workings of crown immunity and how it affects your contracts with government entities.

Disclaimer

Clayton Utz communications are intended to provide commentary and general information. They should not be relied upon as legal advice. Formal legal advice should be sought in particular transactions or on matters of interest arising from this communication. Persons listed may not be admitted in all States and Territories.