Insights Categories: Corporate, M&A and Commercial

Cyber Security Awareness Month – Are you cyber aware?

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month (CSAM). CSAM is an annual reminder for Australians to stay safe online and protect your online information and assets. The theme for CSAM 2023 is ‘be cyber aware – don’t compromise’. CSAM is an opportunity for businesses to review their understanding of ‘cyber security’ as a concept while continuing […]

New Director Identifier Number regime now mandated for all directors

From 1 November 2021, all directors of Australian registered bodies corporate are required to apply for a director identification number (DIN). The DIN regime, administered by the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) and managed by the Australian Taxation Office, has been introduced in order to prevent illegal phoenix activity, track directors’ involvement across different companies […]

Directors’ Duties

Do you own a pharmacy through a corporate entity such as a proprietary company? Are there shareholders who hold a minority interest? As a majority shareholder and director, you need to be aware of your duties to the company in the conduct of your business. Pharmacy businesses are often owned by individuals and partnerships, but […]

Made a mistake? Tell the client asap or risk a finding of deceit

The decision of O’Callaghan J in the Federal Court at Victoria in Neville’s Bus Service Pty Limited v Pitcher Partners Consulting Pty Limited & Ors [2018] FCA 2098 sends a salutary warning to professionals to act honestly and appropriately as soon as they discover that they, or colleagues whom they supervise, may have made a […]

What to consider when you buy a Fitness Franchise

Franchise systems are prevalent in the Fitness Industry. Buying a franchise has a number of advantages, such as the association with an established and reputable brand or service, assistance with setting up elements of the franchise, initial management training and ongoing support via established policies and procedures, and access to existing business systems. These advantages […]

Fair Go! Are your standard contracts unfair?

The Federal Court in ACCC v JJ Richards & Sons has provided guidance on what may constitute an unfair contract term in a small business contract. As of 12 November 2016, statutory protections in the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) against unfair contract terms in standard form consumer contracts was expanded to include small business contracts […]

Recent trends in buying and selling pharmacies

Meridian Lawyers acts for pharmacists in the sale and purchase of their pharmacy businesses.  Issues which arise in these transactions commonly include: the negotiation of the contract for sale of the business in order that the written contract reflects the wishes of the parties the obtaining of necessary approvals and consents (such as Pharmacy Council […]