Veterinary
Recent debate in Australia has focused on animal welfare issues, particularly following the political and public reaction to live trade exports. We work with veterinarians to ensure you understand the legislation and professional codes guiding your legal and ethical responsibilities.
Supporting veterinarians
We support the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) and its members in understanding and dealing with the consequences of any breach of their standards of professional conduct and care.
We assist practitioners who face complaints of unsatisfactory and professional misconduct, and in connection with claims for damages. The veterinary profession maintains a large degree of control over veterinarians’ professional practice, guided by the AVA Code of Professional Conduct.
Legal advice and services
If you are buying or selling a veterinary practice, entering or exiting a partnership, entering into a new lease, managing workplace issues or planning for your retirement, you need clear advice from experienced lawyers who have a detailed understanding of your profession.
Our dedicated team can advise you on:
- professional indemnity claims;
- public liability claims;
- disciplinary matters;
- privacy complaints;
- responding to complaints and demands for compensation;
- acquisition and sale of a veterinary businesses;
- negotiating premises leases and lease disputes;
- business restructures and advice on business and asset protection;
- franchises and similar arrangements;
- protecting your goodwill, including advising on the protection of intellectual property rights and the enforceability of trade restraints;
- debt refinancing;
- establishing or exiting a partnership, including resolving partnership disputes;
- business succession planning and advice;
- workplace and employment issues under the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2010; and
- relevant regulatory issues under the various legislation.
Legal Insights
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Selling a veterinary practice
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…
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Vets must be vigilant to avoid legal action
An increasingly litigious society and ever-greater humanisation of pets means vets must be vigilant to avoid legal action. This article was written by Chris Sheedy and republished with permission from Vet Practice Magazine, June 2017. Whether a vet’s patient is a million-dollar racehorse, a $250,000 stud bull, a $100,000 exotic bird…
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Power couple
Vet Practice magazine recently interviewed Georgina Odell, Senior Associate at Meridian Lawyers - read her insights into how to succeed in a business partnership in the article “Power couple”. Thinking of going into partnership with a colleague? Vet Practice magazine's writer Charmaine Teoh shares some legal and financial issues to consider before opening the…
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Biosecurity guidelines: Do they pose an increased legal risk to veterinarians?
Practitioners will be aware of biosecurity guidelines published by the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA). In response to this, some AVA members raised concerns about the legal consequences and whether this created additional legal risk. It is fair to say that the thinking of defence lawyers and insurers has changed dramatically…