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Media & Podcasts

Dynamic Business: Building Defects: What They...

“It is important to remember that preventing defects not only protects professionals from legal issues but also contributes to their reputation, customer satisfaction, and the overall integrity of the construction industry.” In a recent Dynamic Business article, Partner, Chloe Ellis sheds light on the legal implications of building defects and the challenges it presents for construction professionals. She also provides tips to navigating these issues effectively

Firm News

Hicksons 2023/24 Holiday Closure Period

Hicksons will be closed for a two-week duration over the Christmas and New Year period.

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Blatant illegal phoenixing stamped out in a first for the new Anti-phoenixing Laws

The Supreme Court of Victoria recently handed down a decision in Re Intellicomms Pty Ltd (in liq)[2022] VSC 228 (Intellicomms), in what is a first for anti-phoenixing jurisprudence in Australia. The decision made findings in relation to the creditor defeating disposition provisions in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Act), which were introduced relatively recently by way of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Combating Illegal Phoenixing) Act 2019 (Cth) (Phoenixing Act). The decision in Intellicomms was the first of its kind to utilise the creditor defeating disposition amendments in the Act to hold that a transaction was a creditor defeating disposition, pursuant to section 588FDB of the Act and voidable under section 588FE(6B) of the Act. This is the first example of the new provisions combatting illegal phoenixing as was intended by the legislature.

21 Jun 2022

Blog

How to protect yourself against Construction Company insolvencies.

Entering into a contract to build a new home for a fixed price would seem, at least on the surface, to be the easiest and most stress-free way to get yourself a brand-new home...

10 Mar 2022

Blog

Set-off shield to unfair preference claims dropped

Last Thursday (16 December 2021), in the decision of Morton as Liquidator of MJ Woodman Electrical Contractors Pty Ltd v Metal Manufacturers Pty Limited [2021] FCAFC 228 (MJ Woodman), the Full Court of the Federal Court delivered a highly anticipated decision surrounding section 553C of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Act) and a liquidator’s unfair preference claim.

24 Dec 2021

Blog

Company fails to set aside creditor’s statutory demand for payment of debt when application filed late

During 2020, the Commonwealth Government introduced restrictions on the issuing of creditor’s statutory demands for payment of debt to debtor companies, increasing the threshold for debts from $2,000 to $20,000 and the time for compliance from 21 days to 6 months.

7 Sep 2021

Blog

No more peak indebtedness in unfair preferences - 3 things you should know

The Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia in Badenoch Integrated Logging Pty Ltd v Bryant, in the matter of Gunns Limited (in liq) (receivers and managers appointed)[2021] FCAFC 64 (Badenoch No. 1) has decided that the peak indebtedness rule, often relied upon by liquidators in calculating the quantum of unfair preference claims in situations where there was a continuing trading relationship between the company in liquidation and the creditor under section 588FA(3) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the Act), does not apply.

26 Jul 2021

Blog

Company fails to avoid liquidation by appointing last minute administrators

16 Jun 2021

Blog

Compliance is essential for winding up applications during COVID

Late in 2020, In the matter of Ryals Hotels Pty Ltd [2020] NSWSC 1906, the Supreme Court of New South Wales was required to examine various restrictions brought into support businesses through the COVID period and what impact they had on an application by a landlord to wind up a commercial tenant.

22 Feb 2021

Blog

Landlord’s attempt to avoid COVID restrictions for commercial tenant a costly exercise

During 2020, as part of the National Cabinet’s response to COVID-19, a number of measures were put in place to assist businesses to continue to trade including:

1 Feb 2021

Blog

Corporate Insolvency Reforms. New Year, New Scheme - What you need to know.

As the temporary relief and protection for businesses impacted by COVID-19 comes to an end on 31 December 2020, insolvency experts brace for a potential floodgate of insolvency administrations. Parliament clarifies the new provisions under the Corporations Amendment (Corporate Insolvency Reforms) Bill 2020 (Cth) (Bill) which will commence on 1 January 2021.

7 Dec 2020

Firm News

Hicksons appoints Lachlan Wilson as partner in Newcastle office

Leading commercial law firm Hicksons has appointed Lachlan Wilson as a partner in the Newcastle office, building upon its strong regional presence.

Stewart Cameron
2 Nov 2020

Blog

5 things you should know: Insolvency Reforms for Small Business

On 24 September 2020, the Australian Government announced its proposed major reforms to insolvency laws to support small business recovery and to streamline the insolvency process. The reforms are expected to commence on 1 January 2021, subject to the passing of legislation. The reforms will adopt features from Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, being a “debtor in possession” corporate insolvency model.

13 Oct 2020

Blog

Rethinking unfair preferences through echoes of the past

Before being placed into voluntary administration, Eliana Construction and Developing Group Pty Ltd (Company) and Mad Brothers Earthmoving Pty Ltd (Mad Brothers) executed a settlement agreement in which the Company agreed to pay Mad Brothers $220,000 for a debt the Company owed Mad Brothers. A payment of $220,000 (Payment) was made to Mad Brothers by Rock Investments Pty Ltd (Rock) from a loan facility Rock had with Nationwide Credit Pty Ltd.

31 Aug 2020

Blog

Amendment to the Corporations Act - technology use

The law now allows technology use for company meetings and execution of documents. This change was made in response to the social distancing and health requirements amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

25 May 2020

Blog

New laws in flight to combat the rise of the phoenix

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Combating Illegal Phoenixing) Act 2020 (Cth) is in full flight, which has put in place key changes aimed at enhancing disruption of phoenix activity and powers to prosecute directors and other professional advisors who engage in or facilitate phoenix activity.

29 Apr 2020

Blog

Insolvency Laws to change amidst unprecedented times

The Federal Government has announced proposed changes to insolvency laws to assist with efforts to help vulnerable Australians and businesses in these unprecedented times.

23 Mar 2020

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