Insights Categories: Corporate & Commercial

Aim for a pain free goodbye: Meridian Lawyers acts for vets in the sale and purchase of veterinary practices. Here is a brief overview of the legal process, together with tips on how to make the process as pain free as possible. Step 1: Gather information about your practice The vet selling the business (vendor) will be expected […]

At Meridian Lawyers we are frequently asked to advise on succession planning for business owners, especially those in partnerships (whether in the traditional sense or shareholders via a corporate structure). Many partnerships continue over lengthy periods with little emphasis on exit arrangements in their formal partnership or shareholders agreement. In our experience, carefully considered exit […]

Meridian Lawyers has assisted the National Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA) in a major overhaul of its constitution and restructure of its corporate status. NAPSA aims to be the voice of Australian pharmacy students, representing the interests of 3,500 undergraduate and postgraduate students studying pharmacy at 18 universities across Australia. Prior to instructing Meridian, NAPSA took […]

Case scenario: Dr Blog recently revamped the clinic’s website. He engaged a marketing company to perform the task, and was largely guided by their suggestions on how best to draw business to the clinic. The website contained statements from the clinic’s patients about their favourable treatment experience. The website also contained a link through to […]

Since 1998 the mandatory Franchising Code of Conduct has been the key instrument regulating the conduct of franchises in Australia, as prescribed under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth). A new Franchising Code of Conduct was made public on 3 November 2014 (“new Code”). The implementation of the new Code will be the most […]

Talking to your business partner about how day-to-day business will be managed is an invaluable step in your business planning and road to success. As change is one of the certainties of life, also talking to your business partner about the future, and what should happen if circumstances change, is important to provide each of […]

You need to consider a number of fundamental matters before purchasing a professional practice – we discussed these in our “Basic Fundamentals” article (published in NSW Dentist, April 2004). Before taking the plunge to buy into or sell a dental practice, there are many additional issues that you should think about, which are discussed in […]

The evolution of digital media means that when incorrect material is published the publisher has additional means available to minimise the harm caused – namely take it off the website and/or publish a timely update. By extension, a failure to do this adds to the damage caused. The Times debacle At the end of last […]

The 3rd edition of the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations was released on 27 March 2014 with revisions aimed at the latest developments in corporate governance. What are the Principles and Recommendations? The ASX Listing Rules require ASX listed companies to disclose their corporate governance practices by reference to the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s […]

On 1 January 2011 the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) introduced some significant changes to the obligations on suppliers of services and goods. This update sets out a few practical tips on how fitness businesses can limit complaints and stay on the right side of the consumer law. Under the ACL, you guarantee that services supplied […]

Think about some of the most successful businesses in Australia and you will no doubt visualise the business name and the logo. These will often be referred to as the ‘trademarks’ of the business. If you are thinking of buying a franchise, then one of the key assets you will be buying is the right […]