GL Insights
Estate Planning for Foreign Assets
It is now becoming more common for people who live in Australia to have assets overseas. If you own assets overseas it is important to be aware that each jurisdiction has its own legal system and tax laws. You should not assume that the succession laws and tax regimes you are familiar with in Australia …
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Brumbies in Crisis
At what point does it become obvious that an organisation is in crisis and that urgent action is required. The litany of governance issues which have beset the Brumbies organisation in the last 12 months reads like a fiction story. That these are real events in the history of a great organisation is a demonstration …
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How far is too far? Protecting the Privacy of Australians during the 2016 Census
With the census just around the corner many privacy advocates are questioning the motives of the Australian Bureau of Statistic (ABS), in not only collecting but also storing personal data. Recent revelations that the ABS has already used census data for more than just administrative purpose, has raised concerns about the security of the personal …
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Commonwealth Reporting Requirements for Property Transactions in New South Wales
From 1 July 2016 it is a requirement of the Office of State Revenue to collect and report on transfers of freehold or leasehold interests in real property in New South Wales to the Commissioner of Taxation. The purpose of the reporting is twofold. Firstly, to establish a National Register of Foreign Ownership of Land …
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Why should I register my lease?
There is no denying that entering in to a new commercial or retail lease can be a costly and time consuming exercise for both the tenant and landlord. Once negotiations and signing of the lease are out of the way, further costs may arise in order to register a lease over the title of the …
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Employment Contracts: Restraint of Trade Clauses
Restraint of trade clauses are often included in employment contracts, to restrain employees from certain activities which may threaten the business of the employer. Restraint of trade clauses are difficult to enforce, and may only be enforced to the extent necessary to protect the employer’s legitimate business interests. The types of actions that employers often …
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What Is A Power Of Attorney, And Do I Need One?
A Power of Attorney is a formal deed governed by the Power of Attorney Act 2006 (ACT). A Power of Attorney is a binding legal document which gives one or more people the legal authority to make decisions, and do certain things on your behalf, but it does not remove your rights to do these …
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When you die, will your assets be distributed according to your wishes?
The way in which you own your assets has a significant impact on how you treat these assets under your will and how they are distributed after your death. The important thing to remember is that you can “own” assets in different ways. Ways of controlling assets Examples of ways you might own or control …
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Being a Good Advocate: More than Just being the Loudest
As a litigator, I advocate for my clients in the most traditional sense of the word – in the Courtroom. But if you think about it, isn’t advocacy part of everyday life? We are all required to advocate constantly – for our clients, for our family and friends and for ourselves. We may not consciously …
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Duties and Obligations for Charities
The introduction of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission Act (ACNC Act) and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission Regulations (ACNC Regulations) on 3 December 2012 changed both directors and company obligations for charities in Australia. The ACNC Act established the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC) which has largely replaced the Australian Securities and …
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