December

Are public servants responsible if a government contractor breaches work safety laws? - The Commonwealth's potential work health and safety liabilities have increased significantly – and, with them, the individual liability of some government employees, warn Jennifer Wyborn and Emma Vautin.
Ch-ch-changes: change provisions under Queensland's new Planning and Development Bill - Ian Motti delves into the details of Queensland's proposed new planning system.
Clayton Utz advises Otto Energy on superior proposal of US$108m for sale of Otto's Galoc Field interest - Clayton Utz is advising Otto Energy Limited (Otto) on its divestment of 100 per cent of the shares in Galoc Production Company WLL (GPC) to Nido Petroleum Limited for US$108m (approximately A$130m). GPC is the holder of Otto's 33 per cent interest in the Galoc oil field.
Clayton Utz advising Amcom Telecommunications Ltd on scheme of arrangement with Vocus Communications Ltd - Clayton Utz is advising ASX listed telecommunications and IT company Amcom Telecommunications Limited (ASX:AMM) in respect of its entry into a Scheme Implementation Agreement with ASX listed Vocus Communications Limited (ASX:VOC), announced today.
Clayton Utz advising Peninsula Energy on $69.4 million equity and debt funding - Clayton Utz is advising ASX-listed uranium miner Peninsula Energy Ltd (ASX:PEN) on its A$69.4 million equity and debt funding, to enable Peninsula to complete stage 1 construction and commence production at its Lance ISR projects in Wyoming.
Clayton Utz raises awareness and over $40,000 for men's health issues - and wins Movember Legal Challenge - The enthusiasm and efforts of our partners and employees in raising over $40,000 as part of the annual Movember campaign has seen Clayton Utz win the Highest Fundraising Company award in the Movember Legal Challenge for the second year running.
Clayton Utz takes further steps to improve its carbon footprint - Strategic measures around electricity consumption and air travel have helped Clayton Utz to further reduce its carbon footprint in the last financial year.
Clayton Utz welcomes Productivity Commission's final report into Access to Justice arrangements - Clayton Utz Pro Bono National Practice Group Leader David Hillard welcomes the Productivity Commission's recommendations with respect to Pro Bono services and to reforming Legal Assistance Services, made in the Commission's final report into Access to Justice Arrangements.
Clayton Utz wins on same test for foreign and English words as trade marks in High Court - There is no special test for using foreign words as a trade mark – the ordinary test for inherent adaptability to distinguish will apply, following Cantarella Bros Pty Limited v Modena Trading Pty Limited [2014] HCA 48.
Draft Mining Industry Action Plan proposes radical reforms for NSW - Hot on the heels of proposals to open up CSG extraction comes one that would radically shake up resource regulation in NSW. Nick Thomas and Tom Dougherty pick through the 12 recommendations.
Economic interests can give right to challenge administrative decisions, says High Court - Economic interests can be enough to make people, companies and organisations a "person aggrieved" and give them the right to challenge an administrative decision (Argos Pty Ltd v Corbell, Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development [2014] HCA 50).
Good and bad news for business in Access to Justice Report recommendations - The Productivity Commission's Report into Access to Justice Arrangements' recommendations, if adopted, will have direct or indirect impact on large businesses and companies, by increasing their litigation risk.
Landmark decision means payments under development agreements liable to stamp duty - Payments made under a development agreement are subject to stamp duty, following the High Court decision in Commissioner of State Revenue v Lend Lease Development Pty Ltd [2014] HCA 51.
Looks can be deceiving: Responsible Entities get a high reminder on constitutional drafting - Responsible Entities may find their scheme constitutions do not confer powers for in specie distributions, says Matt Anderson.
Making and amending planning instruments under Queensland's Planning and Development Bill 2014 - The Planning and Development Bill 2014 seeks to promote efficient and effective plan-making, improve the hierarchy and range of instruments, and remove the potentially conflicting policy positions. Nicole Besgrove explains how it proposes to do so.
New international compliance standard launched - The International Organization for Standardization has now published the international standard for compliance management systems ISO 19600-2014.
Professional conduct and responsibilities: An overview for inhouse counsel - All lawyers need to be aware of the professional conduct rules of their jurisdiction in their entirety and consider their broad objectives in addition to the literal “dos and don'ts”.
Protection from protest: a new standard to minimise business disruption in Tasmania - Protest action in Tasmania will now face tough controls designed to minimise interference with business activity, particularly mining and forestry projects, say Nick Thomas and Tom Dougherty.
Restricting employees' speech and political activities can be reasonable and lawful - If you want to restrict employees' political activities or public comment, any restriction must be a reasonable and lawful direction, as Michael Byrnes explains.
Sitting tenants are receiving a taxable supply under GST law, says the High Court - Buyers of property with sitting tenants will be liable for GST on the leases, following the High Court's decision yesterday in Commissioner of Taxation v MBI Properties Pty Ltd [2014] HCA 49.
The amendments to Queensland's Building and Construction Industry Payment Act start TODAY - Amendments to the Building and Construction Industry Payment Act timeframes and procedures will apply from 15 December 2014 to BCIPA payment claims made in connection with existing contracts.

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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.