It’s FOOTY FINALS TIME!  With the two Sydney teams, Sydney Swans and GWS Giants, doing battle with Geelong and the Western Bulldogs respectively in this weekend’s preliminary finals, fans will be flocking to both the MCG and Spotless Stadium tonight and tomorrow for the big games

The Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission has confirmed that notices of employee representational rights given by an employer after the end of the 14 day period required by the Fair Work Act were invalid because of their lateness, and for that reason, the enterprise agreement they related to could not be approved.  

The Government has confirmed that the proposed increase of the aggregated turnover threshold for small business entities of $10 million will apply to the Small Business Restructure Roll-over relief provisions available from 1 July 2016.

Sporting clubs and incorporated associations need to make sure that paid workers and volunteers who engage in “child-related” work have a valid Working with Children Check. 

Rio 2016 began with a typically extravagant opening ceremony on Saturday morning AEST. Unfortunately however, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, Channel Seven's 9.00am broadcast of the event averaged only 2.25 million regional & metropolitan viewers, the lowest rating opening ceremony since 2001 when the OzTam rating system began.

In a recent decision, the Full Federal Court has found that trade mark owners can lose their registrations if they do not exercise proper control over their licensees.

On 15 June 2016, the AFL made the historic announcement that eight clubs would compete in the inaugural season of the women’s national league in 2017. During February and March next year, Adelaide, Brisbane, Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle, Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs will participate in six home-and-away rounds, with the top four playing two semi-finals and a Grand Final. 

Incorporated sporting clubs and associations have distinct obligations to fulfil as a legal entity. Committee members, directors, coaches and volunteers each have a role to play in the team and it is vital that all involved understand the different policies that are applicable to the club and its members. Here are just two policy considerations for ensuring “good play” in your local sporting organisation.

As a director of a company, you have a duty to act in its best interests. 

In undertaking your role as a director, you may face a situation where the interests of the company come in to conflict with your own personal interests. 

What duties do you owe to the company in relation to conflicts of interests?

There are many things young lawyers are told before starting their graduate year - get ready to work 60 hour weeks, never leave your desk, be a slave to the firm and that there is certainly no time for anything other than work. 

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) recently held in FLZY and Commissioner of Taxation that profit arising from the sale of a building by a family trust that was part of a privately held family group (Group) gave rise to a discount capital gain despite the wider property building, development and investment activities undertaken by the Group. The decision demonstrates the importance of considering a taxpayer’s purpose and intention when acquiring and developing real estate within the broader factual context of the activities undertaken by a taxpayer and any related entities.

Register by 1 August 2016 for free testing. 
As part of its Voluntary Purchase and Demolition Program, the NSW Government is currently offering free loose-fill asbestos testing to homeowners in 28 identified NSW local government areas (including Albury City Council and Greater Hume Shire Council). 

Owning property is a big deal. Owning property with another person(s) is an even bigger deal. It is quite common for people who are married or in long term relationships, friends, siblings, or parents and children to pool their savings together to purchase property.

Adley Burstyner and Harwood Andrews have announced they are joining forces to work on a claim against milk processors for the current crisis facing Victorian dairy farmers.

Harwood Andrews is a finalist in the 2016 Australasian Law Awards. The firm is nominated for the Boutique Law Firm of the Year award and is one of only eight finalists in the highly acclaimed category.

The ATO has recently released guidelines on its administrative treatment for the application of certain tax issues when interests in ‘no goodwill’ professional partnerships, trusts and incorporated practices (practices) are acquired or disposed. 

The Lantern Legal Group, comprising Harwood Andrews and Sladen Legal, is excited to expand its already broad services by launching its newest division, Adley Burstyner.

On 6 April 2016, the ATO issued Practical Compliance Guidelines PCG 2016/5 Income tax - arm's length terms for Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements established by self managed superannuation funds (Guideline)

In December 2015 The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) stated that it would not take active steps to review non-commercial limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA) loans prior to 30 June 2016.  It was recommended that LRBA loans should be put on arm’s length terms by 30 June 2016. If that occurred then the ATO had stated that it would not actively review such non-commercial LRBAs for prior years.

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has found a labour hire company (the employer) unfairly dismissed an employee after the host employer told the employer it did not want the worker at its workplace.