International Comparisons of Franchising Law

Robert Toth, Partner at MMRB and Accredited Business Law Specialist, has written a chapter in the International Comparative Legal Guide to Franchise 2019.
The Guide provides an overview of franchising from jurisdictions around the world, including Australia and New Zealand, the USA, Japan, Maaysia, China, England, Wales and throughout Europe.

Parents and Playgrounds – a $1.3m+ Cautionary Tale

Judge Morrish of the Victorian County Court recently awarded $1.37M in damages to a 39 year old father who fell approximately 3.5m when he was trying to help his daughter who had become stuck in a piece of the play equipment.

Proposed Merger of the Family Courts – Good for Families?

Anyone who has had any experience with the family law system can tell you of the extensive delays which place a further burden on the parties involved, both emotionally and with increased costs. These delays also had a huge impact on children in parenting disputes.

Real Estate Agents’ Commission at Risk in Victoria

Real estate agents who have used REIV Exclusive Sales Authority forms are exposed to claims by vendors that they are not entitled to any commission following the decision of the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Victoria in Advisory Services Pty Ltd (t/a/ Ray White St Albans) v Augustin & Anor [2018] VSCA 95.

Victorian Safety Standards and changes to Crimes Act 1958 (Vic)

In addition to mandatory reporting of suspected abuse for certain classes of person, the State Government of Victoria has commenced rolling out new Child Safe Standards (‘the Standards’) in response to the Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Non-Government Organisations and the resulting ‘Betrayal of Trust’ report.

Justice Legislation Amendment (Discovery, Disclosure and Other Matters) Act 2014 (the Act)

How quickly can we resolve this?

Justice Legislation Amendment (Discovery, Disclosure and Other Matters) Act 2014 (the Act).

An Act to amend the Civil Procedure Act 2010 to provide for further case management powers in relation to discovery and disclosure.

This article will focus on the amendments to the Civil Procedure Act 2010 and the impact on civil matters and how parties (with the help of the Court) can resolve disputes more efficiently.

Important statutory changes relating to claims brought in Victoria under the Wrongs Act 1958

Important statutory changes relating to claims brought in Victoria under the Wrongs Act 1958

In November 2015, following a review by the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission (VCEC), the Wrongs Amendment Act 2015 (‘the 2015 Act’) was passed by the Victorian Parliament and received Royal Assent.

The 2015 Act amends parts of Wrongs Act 1958 governing the assessment and limitations on certain types of damages for injured claimants in Victoria.

Claims under the Wrongs Act 1958 are founded in negligence or where there is an allegation of fault against a respondent, other than WorkCover or Transport Accident claims.

The recent changes may have implications for respondents to those liability claims.