Australia: Corporate/Commercial Law

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Article
Unfair Contract Terms In SME Lending - 5 Clauses That May Place Lenders At Risk
ASIC's 2026-27 Corporate Plan identifies non-bank small business lending practices as a regulatory focus area, particularly concerning unfair contract terms in standard form agreements. This article examines five common clauses in SME loan agreements that may expose lenders to enforceability challenges and regulatory action, drawing on recent court decisions to illustrate key UCT risks.
Australia Commercial
BP
Bartier Perry
Article
14 September 2026 M&A Review: Market insights and outlook for 2027
Australia's M&A market demonstrated resilience throughout FY2025-26, with quality assets attracting strong investor interest despite geopolitical uncertainty and cautious financing conditions. Middle-market activity remained steady, private capital continued to shape dealmaking, and foreign investors showed particular interest in healthcare, technology, and energy sectors. What factors will drive transaction activity in 2027, and how can businesses position themselves to capitalize on emerging opportunities
Australia Commercial
HR
Holding Redlich
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Franchising

Charities & Non-Profits

Article
Key Takeaways | NFP Boardroom Lunch 2026
Senior leaders from Australia's not-for-profit sector gathered to discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities facing their organisations in 2026. The boardroom lunch explored critical issues including governance frameworks, regulatory compliance, workforce sustainability, NDIS reform, and the strategic implications of artificial intelligence and data management for charitable organisations navigating an increasingly complex operating environment.
Australia Commercial
PA
Piper Alderman
Article
IA vs CLG - Choosing The Right Legal Structure For Charitable Organisations
When setting up a charity, one of the most important early decisions is selecting the appropriate legal structure. This choice affects how the organisation is governed, its legal responsibilities, and its ability to grow and access funding. Two of the most common options are Incorporated Association (IA) and public Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG). However, each structure offers advantages and limitations depending on the charity’s size, scope, funding sources, and regulatory obligations.
Australia Commercial
BP
Bartier Perry
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M&A/Private Equity

Article
14 September 2026 M&A Review: Market insights and outlook for 2027
Australia's M&A market demonstrated resilience throughout FY2025-26, with quality assets attracting strong investor interest despite geopolitical uncertainty and cautious financing conditions. Middle-market activity remained steady, private capital continued to shape dealmaking, and foreign investors showed particular interest in healthcare, technology, and energy sectors. What factors will drive transaction activity in 2027, and how can businesses position themselves to capitalize on emerging opportunities
Australia Commercial
HR
Holding Redlich
Article
Merger Reform Update: Critical Amendments To Australia’s Merger Regime Passed By Parliament
Australia's Parliament has passed critical amendments to the country's new merger regime, replacing automatic voiding of non-notified acquisitions with a court-supervised model and clarifying control exemptions for minority investments. The changes also introduce greater flexibility for stale clearances, though questions remain about whether further reforms are needed to address the regime's underlying complexity and conservative thresholds.
Australia Anti-trust
CC
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Article
Australia’s Merger Regime Changes Again: Parliament Fine-tunes New M&A Rules
Australia's Parliament has passed significant amendments to the country's merger regime, less than a year after its introduction. The changes address practical concerns around mandatory merger notifications, providing greater flexibility for minority investments, reducing risks from inadvertent notification failures, and allowing extensions for delayed transactions. How will these refinements impact dealmakers navigating Australia's interventionist competition framework?
Australia Anti-trust
HR
Holding Redlich
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Compliance

Article
Unfair Contract Terms In SME Lending - 5 Clauses That May Place Lenders At Risk
ASIC's 2026-27 Corporate Plan identifies non-bank small business lending practices as a regulatory focus area, particularly concerning unfair contract terms in standard form agreements. This article examines five common clauses in SME loan agreements that may expose lenders to enforceability challenges and regulatory action, drawing on recent court decisions to illustrate key UCT risks.
Australia Commercial
BP
Bartier Perry
Article
The hidden risk facing Australia’s credit funds: Property values haven’t fallen, but transactions have
Australia's private credit market faces its first genuine stress cycle as property transaction velocity slows and ASIC intensifies regulatory scrutiny. With delayed exits, extended loan maturities, and increased workout activity creating pressure across the sector, fund managers and trustees must now navigate both commercial challenges and heightened enforcement risk while ensuring their governance frameworks can withstand regulatory examination.
Australia Finance
PA
Piper Alderman
Article
AFCA’S New Approach To General Insurance Claims Handling: GICOP Compliance May Not Be Enough
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority has published new guidance clarifying how insurers must handle claims, including strict timeframes and expanded compensation rules. Insurers now face potential liability beyond policy limits for unreasonable delays, and may be required to compensate claimants for non-financial losses. With storm season approaching and complaint volumes rising, these changes create significant operational and financial pressure on the insurance industry.
Australia Insurance
GC
Gilchrist Connell
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Venture Capital

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Latest Videos

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