Opposition to proposed merger laws from local tech companies, VC firms and competition lawyers has been fierce. But private healthcare operators and small retailers could potentially be early winners.
Prima Facie
The number of ASIC investigations and civil lawsuits before the Federal Court is on the rise. For the corporate regulator, picking the right case is a challenge.
Uber’s payroll tax dispute with NSW is the first real test of tax laws for digital platforms, and it could have broad implications for any company that uses contractors.
Australia has a developer gap and GitHub chief legal officer Shelley McKinley warns it could get even worse if the wrong regulatory settings are put in place.
The graphic design unicorn's acquisition of Leonardo.Ai would be the perfect test case for a mandatory merger-review system — but that's not the regulatory landscape we're in.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers this week released new draft rules for dealmaking. While lawyers say there are some positives, one told us the changes put Australia "at the extreme end of merger control".
A new report shows class action activity for 2024 is on track for the lowest number of new cases in more than a decade. But Allens lawyers caution the slump could merely be a blip.
Amid fierce competition for top lawyers, the appetite for overseas moves has picked up, giving firms with an international presence an edge in hiring and retaining talent.
When companies need to review their corporate culture, they often turn to lawyers or consultants to do the job. When law firms themselves are the subject of review, things can get complicated.
The ACCC's lawsuit against GLAD bags maker Clorox was the first in a range of actions the watchdog is planning as it cracks down on green claims.
A loss by Tesla chair Robyn Denholm's Wollemi Capital Group in a trademark dispute with Tim Bishop's climate tech VC firm isn't necessarily a setback for other related disputes.
Australia's startups will be swept up in anticipated privacy law changes expected to scrap exemptions for small businesses, but many are unaware.
The online safety regulator's decision to walk away from a Federal Court battle with Elon Musk's X Corp is an initial win for the tech company in a legal fight that's far from over.
The use of non-disclosure agreements in settling employment disputes is facing new levels of scrutiny, but regulatory enforcement is a fraught issue.
Tackling greenwashing has been top of the regulatory to-do list for some time. As corporate use of AI-linked buzzwords increases, lawyers say an AI-washing crackdown could be next.
The US Federal Trade Commission has banned non-compete clauses, and in Australia the federal government is reviewing their use. Are changes coming for Australian employees and competition law?
The rapid development of AI, and the push to avoid failures of the past through expedited regulation, may also speed up efforts to pin down legal definitions of the ecosystems in which Big Tech operates.
When it comes to legal action against global tech companies, just how long is the arm of the law? That’s the question facing legal teams on both sides of the eSafety Commissioner’s legal battle against X.
Two of the most high-profile Australian lawsuits in the last 12 months have been defamation cases — and both were won by the media. But lawyers caution there are still problems with our defamation laws.
The government's merger reform paper is out and competition lawyers aren't loving it. Plus, the latest in the Wollemi v Wollemi dispute.
There are concerns that the ACCC's proposals for the merger review process could make things even more difficult for companies seeking a quick sale due to financial distress.
The ACCC has just one cartel case before the courts. It lays bare one of the most complex areas of competition law and how dinners and emails can become collusion risks.
Epic Games' 16-week court battle against Apple and Google is finally under way. If the Fortnite maker is successful, it could fast-track EU-like rules for tech companies in Australia.
