Submission to Parliamentary Inquiry into Payments to Subcontractors
Background to Inquiry and Submission A submission to an inquiry headed by the Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee, Victoria, has been made by Harriet Warlow-Shill, founder and principal of Warlows Legal. This inquiry relates to employers and contractors who refuse to pay their subcontractors for completed works. The Committee will examine the mechanisms currently […]
Reforming VCAT: Addressing Delays in Building Dispute Resolutions
Reforming VCAT: Addressing Delays in Building Dispute Resolutions Did you know that the median time to resolve a building dispute in Victoria now stands at an alarming three years? This is one of the many challenges currently facing the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), Victoria’s principal forum for resolving domestic construction disputes. The complexity […]
The Importance of Good Start-up Lawyers
Starting a new business is an exciting and challenging process. While entrepreneurs are focused on product development, building a team, and acquiring a customer base, there are a host of legal considerations that must be addressed. This is where having good startup lawyers comes in. Startup lawyers are essential for anyone looking to start a […]
Are You Entitled to a Warranty from an International Vendor?
When the law of contracts, sales and commerce evolved, international transactions were something of a rarity. There was no e-commerce, and most transactions between parties from different jurisdictions were made face-to-face, at a dockside or trading post. Now, however, international transactions are commonplace. Not only do companies and large commercial deals occur between parties who […]
Structuring Your Startup
Selecting the right business structure is one of the most crucial decisions to be made when starting a business. The choice of business structures can affect key aspects of your business such as tax, asset protection, setup costs, and personal liability. Although a business’ structure can be changed throughout its life, there can be complications […]
The Importance of Good Startup Lawyers
Starting a new business is an exciting and challenging process. While entrepreneurs are focused on product development, building a team, and acquiring a customer base, there are a host of legal considerations that must be addressed. This is where having good startup lawyers comes in. Startup lawyers are essential for anyone looking to start a […]
What Happens If You Die Without A Will?
Dying intestate – or without a will – calls on the law to decide what happens with your assets. In the case that a person dies and does not possess a will, or the will is not valid, the deceased’s closest next of kin (generally their partner or child) is entitled to apply to the […]
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When May a Director be Personally Liable?
In late 2019, the controversy-riddled charity White Ribbon finally succumbed to its wounds and declared that it would go into voluntary liquidation. White Ribbon, whose mission was to combat violence against women, had faced a number of headwinds, and its newly appointed chief executive Tracy McLeod Howe was attempting to salvage what she could of […]
‘Used and Occupied’: How the University of Melbourne Changed Tax Law for Charities
Key Points: Charities are generally exempt from land tax in Victoria, when they are in active ‘use’ of the land for their charitable purposes. A recent Supreme Court decision involving the University of Melbourne (which is a registered charity) found that the word ‘use’ extends to merely renting out land. The Parliament of Victoria reacted […]
A Protest Silenced: the Iranian Show Trials and Due Process
In September of last year, the death in custody of the young Iranian woman Mahsa Amini sparked a wave of protests against the government of Iran. As with many such events, Mahsa’s death was a flashpoint for malcontent and the outpouring of numerous grievances against the ruling government. Protesting is not done lightly in Iran. […]