Legal Insights
Harwood Andrews’ approach to AML & CTF
From 1 July 2026, new federal anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws will require firms like ours to complete extra checks before we can provide certain services. Read more about our approach.
High Court Upholds Australian Designer’s "Katie Perry" Mark Against Global Pop Icon Katy Perry
On 11 March 2026, the High Court of Australia handed down its highly anticipated decision in Taylor v Killer Queen LLC [2026] HCA 5, allowing the appeal of Australian fashion designer Katie Jane Taylor and preserving her registered trade mark "KATIE PERRY" for clothing following an application to cancel the mark by world-famous pop superstar Katy Perry.
Monthly CPI: How the Change Affects Your Lease Obligations
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has transitioned to publishing the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on a monthly basis, starting in November 2025. Previously, CPI was released only on a quarterly basis.
CPI is often used to determine rent increases in commercial and retail lease agreements. So how does this transition to monthly CPI affect your lease and how you calculate rent?
![Acquisition of control over private landholders and the Duties Act -Tao v Commissioner of State Revenue [2025] VSC 831](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62940022bdc06b31c5ba0c30/1773957951120-LOLXNL3CEOSFCCGQBIF5/unsplash-image-PJ7lpdVOIzc.jpg)
Acquisition of control over private landholders and the Duties Act -Tao v Commissioner of State Revenue [2025] VSC 831
In January, the Supreme Court of Victoria handed down judgment against an applicant who had become the sole director of a company acting as trustee of a unit trust which held property in Victoria valued over $1 million. The Supreme Court confirmed the Commissioner of State Revenue’s assessment that the applicant acquired ‘control’ over the landholder and made a relevant acquisition for the purposes of the Duties Act. It was held the applicant made a relevant acquisition in the landholder of 100%.
Harwood Andrews Ranked First Tier Town Planning & Development Law Firms - Doyles Guide, Victoria 2026
Harwood Andrews Planning and Environment team have been recognised as First Tier in the 2026 listing of leading Victorian Town Planning & Development Law Firms and Recommended in the area of Leading Environment & Climate Change Law Firm - Victoria, 2026.
Stamp Duty and Vendor Payments: Lessons from Alphington Developments Pty Ltd v Commissioner of State Revenue
The Supreme Court decision in Alphington Developments Pty Ltd v Commissioner of State Revenue [2025] VSC 709 clarifies how stamp duty (land transfer duty) is assessed on the transfer of land. Specifically, the Court in this decision held at that payments made by a vendor to remediation and demolition works do not reduce the consideration under a contract of sale when assessing stamp duty.
![Vacant Residential Land Tax and ‘Uninhabitable’ Property – KES v Commissioner of State Revenue [2026] VCAT 75](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62940022bdc06b31c5ba0c30/1773276127976-WC1MLGW9EMRZ9PMZMF66/unsplash-image-BwxcLsNXR3g.jpg)
Vacant Residential Land Tax and ‘Uninhabitable’ Property – KES v Commissioner of State Revenue [2026] VCAT 75
The matter of KES v Commissioner of State Revenue [2026] VCAT 75 considered whether the property in question was both ‘residential land’ and ‘vacant’ as defined in the Land Tax Act 2005 (Vic) and therefore, whether vacant residential land tax had been correctly applied by the Commissioner. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found that despite the property being in disrepair, it was capable of being used for residential purposes and had been vacant for at least six months in the relevant land tax year.
Preserving intergenerational wealth - key considerations in family law proceedings
The decision in Caldwell and Caldwell [2025] FedCFamC1F 506 (Caldwell) reaffirmed the position that while the Federal Circuit and Family Court (Court) has broad powers in respect to family law disputes, its powers are not limitless. In the context of preserving intergenerational wealth, particularly where long-standing family-operated businesses are involved, Caldwell provides welcomed reassurance that where trusts are established and structured effectively, for a clear genuine purpose, they can successfully limit assets from the reach of the Court.
Victorian Government - Proposed Imposition of Stamp Duty on Adjustments made for Land Tax and Windfall Gains Tax
The Commissioner of State Revenue has released draft revenue ruling, Draft-DA-70: Land Transfer Duty – Consideration – Assumption of Tax Liabilities (Draft Ruling) seeks to impose land transfer (stamp) duty on adjustments made for certain taxes at settlement of a property transaction, by treating those adjustments as dutiable consideration.
Harwood Andrews January 2026 Promotions Announced
Harwood Andrews is proud to announce the following well-deserved promotions effective 1 January 2026.
Celebrating Rob Warnock’s Retirement
Please join us in congratulating Rob Warnock Principal Lawyer and CTA on his retirement from active practice as a lawyer at Harwood Andrews.
Who are a Charity’s “Responsible Persons”?
If your organisation is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), you are required to notify the ACNC of the appointment of people responsible for governing the charity. These are known as “Responsible Persons”. Essentially, they are entrusted with making decisions on behalf of the charity and determining how the organisation should be run.
Rob Jeremiah Announces Retirement After a Distinguished Legal Career
We are honoured to announce that our esteemed consultant, Rob Jeremiah, will retire from active practice at Harwood Andrews, effective 5 December 2025
AML/CTF Series: AUSTRAC Releases Core Guidance
As covered in our previous article series (link), amendments to the Anti Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth), extending anti money laundering (AML) and counter terror financing (CTF) obligations to additional professional service sectors, will take effect from the 1 July 2026.
AML/CTF series: Why is an AML/CTF Risk Assessment required - and how do law firms do one?
At the heart of law firms’ anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) obligations is a risk assessment.
AML/CTF series: How does “tipping off” and legal professional privilege (LPP) work for law firms?
With the passing of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Act 2024 (Cth) (Act), law firms will soon be subject to the expanded anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) regime.
AML/CTF series: What reports and records will AUSTRAC expect from law firms?
Reporting and recordkeeping are core pillars of the anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) regime.
Harwood Andrews Recognised as a Leading Family & Divorce Law Firm and Lawyers in Regional Victoria by Doyle's Guide 2026
Harwood Andrews is delighted to have been identified by clients and peers for expertise and abilities for Victoria in the 2026 Doyle’s Guide. Doyle's Guide is a highly regarded independent annual peer review of the leading corporate law firms and lawyers in Victoria.
AML/CTF series: What should law firms do with existing clients and matters on 1 July 2026?
With the passing of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Act 2024 (Cth) (Act), law firms will soon be subject to the expanded anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) regime. The Act captures firms of all sizes, from sole practitioners handling conveyancing to large commercial practices with trust accounts, with core obligations for law firms and conveyancers commencing on 1 July 2026.
New Division 296 Tax – Changes to Key Aspects
New Division 296 Tax – A win for the industry
Controversial taxation bill has been watered down – tax of unrealised gains has been scrapped.