Asset Protection

What is copyright?

There are various types of intellectual property (the general name given to the laws covering trade marks, patents, designs, circuit layouts, plant breeder’s rights and copyright), but the simplest (at least in terms of how and when it is created at least) is copyright.

What is copyright?

Copyright exists in a ‘work’ as soon as that work is created.

People spend time, money and talent in creating ‘original’ works and their efforts are protected by copyright.

Works include:

  • literary works - texts, books, poems, screenplays, song lyrics, letters, computer programs etc
  • artistic works - drawings, paintings, maps, plans, sculptures, photographs etc
  • dramatic works - plays, screenplays and choreography etc
  • musical works – musical scores (but not the recording of the music itself)

Protection is also given to ‘subject matter other than works‘, being sound recordings/broadcasts, films/movies, published editions of works etc.

Unlike a patent for example, copyright does not protect ideas or information as such but only the original expression of ideas or information. If it is not original, there is no copyright.

Two people could independently come up with a similar work at the same time. Both would hold copyright on their own works.

Copyright is free and automatic in Australia – there is no need (and indeed no place in which) to register it.

What rights does copyright give?

The Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) and the Regulations made under that Act set out the law in Australia regarding copyright.

Copyright protects the original expression of ideas or information – the work itself. The owner of the copyright owns copyright in the text in a book even though the owner of (an authorised) physical copy of a book owns the physical book itself.

Copyright entitles the holder the exclusive right to publish, reproduce (copy) and otherwise use that work (and to make money from doing so). Using a substantial part of a work without the copyright holder’s permission is an infringement upon that right and the holder can commence a legal action for an injunction to restrain such use, damages or accounting for any profits made from such use etc.

There are exceptions to copyright including ‘personal use’ and use (known as fair dealing) including:

  • research or study
  • reporting of news
  • giving of professional advice
  • satire/parody

as well as certain ‘special purposes‘ such as making accessible format copies for persons with disabilities, for educational instruction etc

Overseas copyright is enforced in Australia and reciprocal arrangements exist overseas to protect Australian copyright abroad due to various international conventions. There are treaties in place in some countries only however.

How long does copyright last?

Copyright generally lasts for as long as the person that owns it is alive, plus 70 years (but some shorter timeframes apply to certain works).

Once copyright ends, the work is said to be in the ‘public domain’ – and can be used by anyone.

How to help enforce copyright in a work

If your work is written or able to be viewed such as online or on a screen, you can use the copyright symbol © or (c) on the work, with the author’s name and the date it was created. This symbol serves as notice to the world that you assert copyright in that work and from when.

Using the © symbol is not a requirement to establish or assert copyright however, just a good practice.

Songwriters can register their works through licensing agencies, so fees can be collected and paid for using their songs.

Contractual arrangements regarding copyright and its use can also impose rights and obligations on the parties to it. Copyright can be assigned, licensed or even borrowed against.

Titles, business names and slogans are not protected by copyright (as they are usually too small/unoriginal to be protected by copyright), but they can in some cased be protected by trade mark.

What are moral rights?

Moral rights are the right of integrity of authorship, the right of attribution of authorship and the right against false attribution of authorship. They are non-economic rights that are personal to the creator of a work, so if a work is commissioned by a business, the business would require the person creating the work (and getting paid for it, whether as an employee or a contractor) to assign their moral rights or permanently consent to alterations to it that may otherwise infringe them.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information, please contact McKillop Legal on (02) 9521 2455 or email help@mckilloplegal.com.au 

This information is general only and is not a substitute for proper legal advice. Please contact McKillop Legal to discuss your needs.

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in Asset Protection / Business / Commercial Law / Dispute Resolution / Intellectual Property / Litigation  by 01 Feb 2024 0 comments

What is a trade mark?

Trade marks are a form of intellectual property right. A  trade mark can be used to protect a business name, tag line/phrase or word  (a word mark) and/or logo (a figurative mark), but less commonly, it can also be used to protect a letter, colour, sound, scent, picture, movement, aspect of packaging or any combination of these.

Protecting a brand can add to its value as an asset so it is a very important business consideration, particularly if you ever intend to sell your business in the future.

Why have a trade mark?

A registered trade mark provides the holder the exclusive right to use that trade mark in Australia in respect of specified goods and/or services. This means that the holder of such an intellectual property can legally prevent others from using the trade mark for similar goods and services.

The holder of a trade mark can sell the mark to a third party or allow others to use that mark, for example for a fee, such as through a licensing arrangement. Often a franchise agreement also includes a license to use the trade mark of the franchised business.

Many business owners mistakenly believe that registering a business name or domain name gives them some sort of ownership of that name - this is not the case.

What requirements are there to register a trade mark?

The Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) and the Regulations under that Act govern trade marks in Australia.

In order to be registered, a trade mark must be able to distinguish the goods and services of the holder from other traders. It can’t be an everyday word or phrase, a geographical name or be descriptive of the goods or services (as other traders may need to use those words to describe their wares). Further, some signs and names are prohibited from registration.

When seeking registration, certain categories of goods and/or services must be chosen. The protection of the trademark is only in that category (or categories) chosen and only for the types of goods/services described in the application.

A trademark lasts for 10 years but can be renewed for successive periods.

How to help protect your trade mark

Having a registered trade mark gives the owner the right to place the ® symbol next to the trade mark so as to let others know it is registered and to help deter them from using it (without permission).

When a trade mark is not yet registered but an application is pending, the TM symbol can be applied to the mark. There is no requirement to use the ® or TM symbols however. use of the ® symbol in connection with a mark that is unregistered in Australia is an offence under the Act.

Trade marks must be used as registered. Failing to use a trade mark can render it liable to being removed from the register for non-use.

Registration of a logo that includes a trading name does not necessarily protect the trading name, just the logo. This is why the name often needs to be separately registered. Care needs to be taken to consider what is to be registered and how it will be used. Separate registrations are often advised for a name and for a logo.

If you have a trade mark and become aware of someone infringing it (such as by using a very similar name or logo without your consent or indicating they have some association with your business or products when they do not), you should get advice from a lawyer on sending an appropriately worded cease and desist letter asking them to stop using it.

What if your trade mark isn’t registered?

Registration of a trade mark is not essential. Unregistered trade marks can possibly be protected under the common law, such as through the tort of ‘passing off‘ and claiming misrepresentation such as under the Australian Consumer Law however, registration if recommended.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information, please contact McKillop Legal on (02) 9521 2455 or email help@mckilloplegal.com.au 

This information is general only and is not a substitute for proper legal advice. Please contact McKillop Legal to discuss your needs.

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in Asset Protection / Business / Commercial Law / Dispute Resolution / Intellectual Property / Litigation  by 01 Jan 2024 0 comments

Non-contestable Will

We often get asked “can you draft a non-contestable Will ?”

You can draft a Will to state who you want to be your executor and how to divide and distribute your assets once you pass away. Even with a valid Will stating your wishes and even if it has been admitted to Probate (or even if you die intestate), the distribution of your estate can be altered by the Court order under the Succession Act 2006 (NSW) (Act).

Put simply, there is no way to draft a Will prevent such a claim on your estate (and no, you can’t make a gift dependent on not making a claim), but there are things that can be done to help prevent (or minimise) a claim, including:

  • not having an estate at all
  • carefully drafting your Will and drafting evidence to help oppose a likely claim
  • obtaining a release under the Act

A Will can only deal with assets that you have as at the date of your death. One of the best ways of preventing a claim on your estate is therefore to not have any estate in the first place!  This is easier said than done and often means that benefits such as the principal place of residence exemption for capital gains tax (CGT) may not be available and other benefits cannot be accessed, but with the use of trusts and other structures, you can avoid having any personal assets to be distributed on your death. This is an extreme option that not many opt for given the many downsides and potential benefits that need to be forgone.

Where people have not set up their affairs so as to have no actual estate, but later seek to do so (such as by gifting assets, severing a joint tenancy or selling assets to others for less than full valuable consideration), they need to be aware of the provisions in the Act relating to “notional estate“. Notional estate rules in NSW effectively operate such that any assets disposed of in the period of 3 years prior to your death may be notionally brought back into your estate and available for division by the making of a family provision order in favour of an eligible person under the Act. As with most decisions, there are also potential negative consequences such as stamp duty, CGT and loss of social security entitlements from gifting rules.

Most people do not consider it advantageous to them during their life or their intended beneficiaries to have no estate at all for reasons such as those relating to CGT etc. For those, one way to help prevent or minimise the risk of a claim for a family provision order is to ensure that they have a carefully prepared Will and accompany that Will by a (usually contemporaneous) Statement explaining why a person did not get a benefit in the Will or is to receive less than they may have expected. This is known as a Statement of Wishes or a Statement of Testamentary Intention and is often prepared in for formal form of an Affidavit so it can be use in evidence. Such documents may be updated as required and care must be taken to ensure that they are factually correct as defects can undermine their force, particularly as you won’t be around to give evidence to correct any errors.

One way to prevent a claim for a family provision order is to apply to the Court for an order under s.95 of the Act releasing an estate from claims under the Act. This can be done either before or after your death, such as part of a family settlement of another dispute or claim on an estate and aims at achieving finality regarding family disputes. The Court may only approve such a release and make an order after considering all of the relevant circumstances, so this will involve preparation of appropriate initialing proceedings and affidavit evidence.

As with any estate, each person’s circumstances, assets and relationships with potential beneficiaries and claimants are different and care needs to be taken to consider all information available so as to make the right decisions regarding your estate. This will involve weighing up the pros and the cons of each decision and bearing the consequences and risks of doing so.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information please contact McKillop Legal on (02) 9521 2455 or email help@mckilloplegal.com.au.

This information is general only and is not a substitute for proper legal advice. Please contact McKillop Legal to discuss your needs.

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in Asset Protection / Dispute Resolution / Estate Planning / Litigation / Probate  by 01 Nov 2023 0 comments

What is independent legal advice?

If you are:

  • borrowing money from a bank or someone else, like a parent,
  • have some special vulnerability in relation to a borrowing arrangement (such as due to age, inability to speak English well etc),
  • borrowing in relation to a self managed superannuation fund’s limited recourse borrowing arrangement, or
  • perhaps going guarantor on a loan for a company or a family member for their loan,

then chances are you will be asked to get “independent legal advice” from a solicitor in relation to the loan and the security for the borrowing or guarantee.

The document evidencing the loan is usually a:

  • Loan Agreement,
  • Letter of Offer or similar

and may have accompanying terms and conditions etc.

Security for a loan arrangement usually takes the form of a:

  • Mortgage,
  • Caveat or
  • Security Interest registered on the PPSR.

Independent advice us usually required by the lender so that it cannot (easily) be argued later that the borrower or guarantor didn’t understand the gravity of the arrangements being put in place – so although you get the advice, it is really for the lender’s protection.

In order to give independent legal advice, the lawyer will read the loan and security documents provided, advise you as to the meaning and effect of them and discuss any risks.

You will then be required to sign a document called a Declaration under oath confirming that you obtained independent legal advice before you freely and voluntarily signed the loan/guarantee/security documents.

Often the lender will also require the borrower or guarantor to obtain “independent financial advice” from a financial advisor, accountant or other appropriately qualified person. Lawyers, simply by virtue of their profession, possess no special skill to give financial (as distinct from legal) advice.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information, please contact McKillop Legal on (02) 9521 2455 or email help@mckilloplegal.com.au 

This information is general only and is not a substitute for proper legal advice. Please contact McKillop Legal to discuss your needs.

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in Asset Protection / Business / Commercial Law / Dispute Resolution / General / Litigation / Property / Risk management  by 01 Aug 2023 0 comments

What is redundancy?

If an employer no longer needs a role to be performed or doesn’t need the same number of employees to perform certain tasks, then an employee’s position can be made “redundant”.

Reasons for redundancy can include:

  • the job the employee is doing is being replaced by new technology/machinery
  • outsourcing tasks to contractors
  • an slow down affecting the business
  • a restructure or reorganization of the business or a merger or takeover taking place
  • the business stopping trading

Redundancy may or may not however, result in an obligation on the employer to pay the affected employee ‘redundancy pay’ (sometimes called ‘severance pay’). This, and the amount, depends on:

  • the length of employment
  • the employer’s size
  • whether the employee can be redeployed
  • the terms of the:
    • employee’s employment contract
    • any applicable Award or Enterprise Agreement; and
    • the Fair Work Act / National Employment Standards (NES).

An employee must have been employed for 12 months or more for redundancy pay to even be considered.

If the employer employs less than 15 (full time or full time equivalent, not casual) employees at the time of dismissal, then there is no entitlement for redundancy pay, unless your Award, Contract or Enterprise Agreement provides for it.

If there is no other position the employee could be redeployed into or if an offer to do so is not accepted, the amount of redundancy pay can be reduced, or even removed.

Redundancy pay is based on ordinary rates of pay (so it doesn’t include bonuses, commission, overtime, loadings, allowances etc).

If redundancy pay is payable, then the table in the NES applies.

Often there is a requirement for employee consultation regarding major workplace changes that could result in dismissal.

If a redundancy is not “genuine”, then issues of potential unfair dismissal can arise. If an employee is made redundant but, for example, someone else is hired at the time or soon thereafter to perform their duties, then the redundancy is not genuine.

Even if no redundancy pay is payable, notice (or payment in lieu thereof) is still required as the employment is being terminated (in addition to payment for all accrued employee entitlements).

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information, please contact McKillop Legal on (02) 9521 2455 or email help@mckilloplegal.com.au 

This information is general only and is not a substitute for proper legal advice. Please contact McKillop Legal to discuss your needs.

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in Asset Protection / Business / Commercial Law / Dispute Resolution / Employment  by 01 Apr 2023 0 comments

Power of Attorney for minors

The Powers of Attorney Act 2003 (NSW) (Act) provides for a person to appoint another person as their attorney to make financial and contractual decisions on their behalf.

The Act does not require that the person granting the power be an adult. Children too can thus grant a power of attorney. This is not the case for appointing an enduring guardian, which can only be done by an adult.

The document granting a power of attorney is a prescribed form under the Act.

For adults, if they are suffering from any illness, have deteriorating health, are going overseas or interstate or just want peace of mind, appointing an attorney to assist you to manage your affairs is generally a good idea.

Often children get diagnosed with medical conditions that may progressively affect their mental faculties or ability to read/write, so it is good to know that they can too appoint an attorney (such as a parent) to manage their financial affairs when required.

The child appointing an attorney must however, demonstrate understanding of what they are doing and that they are making the appointment freely and voluntarily, so their age and maturity are a relevant factor.

TYPES OF POWER OF ATTORNEY

A general power of attorney does not require a solicitor’s certificate however, it ceases to be of effect if you lose mental capacity (like where you are in a coma or suffer from dementia or some other illness that affects cognitive ability).

An enduring power of attorney on the other hand continues to be effective if you were to suffer such an incapacity. For this reason, an enduring power of attorney must be explained to you and witnessed by a lawyer who will provide a certificate in the prescribed form. We usually recommend an enduring power of attorney so that if some event happened to you that affected your capacity, your attorney would still be able to assist you.

HOW DOES A POWER OF ATTORNEY OPERATE?

The person appointing an attorney (the principal) can choose when the power of attorney is to take effect. It can be restricted to only take effect if a registered medical practitioner certifies that the principal is of unsound mind, upon some other event, from a date the principal determines or, it can operate immediately (for convenience).

An attorney may not use the principal’s monies or assets for gifts or benefits to the attorney or third parties unless this is specifically authorised in the document granting the power of attorney.

Provided the principal remains of sound mind, they can revoke a power of attorney at any time by signing a form of revocation and providing the attorney with that revocation.

The New South Wales Civil & Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) can review or revoke a person’s appointment as a power of attorney and can make a financial management order appointing a new attorney (or attorneys) or by appoint a representative of the NSW Trustee & Guardian if it is considered that your attorney/s is/are not making appropriate decisions on your behalf.

NCAT can also appoint a guardian by making a guardianship order so that the person’s medical, accommodation and lifestyle needs can be met however this is often only needed for children over 16 as their parents can generally consent to treatment under that age.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information in relation to estate planning or powers of attorney or contracting with minors generally, contact McKillop Legal on (02) 9521 2455 or email help@mckilloplegal.com.au.

This information is general only and is not a substitute for proper legal advice. Please contact McKillop Legal to discuss your needs.

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in Asset Protection / Estate Planning / General / Risk management / Uncategorized  by 01 Dec 2022 0 comments

What is a Confidentiality Agreement?

A Confidentiality Agreement (also known as a Non-Disclosure Agreement or NDA) is a legal contract, which should be used when sensitive information needs to be shared between two parties. It helps to ensure that the person or organisation that gains access to sensitive information doesn’t disclose it to a third party. Often the agreement is in form of a Deed.

NDAs are often used:

  • to protect confidential information or trade secrets;
  • as a precursor document to intellectual property use (such as patents) or where contractors are to assist developing new products or ideas (such as a new App);
  • for parties to be able to disclose sensitive information such as in the due diligence stages of a possible business sale or asset sale; or
  • even as part of employment contracts where employees may used the protected information during their employment and only for the purposes of furthering the employer’s business.

The obligations in a Confidentiality Agreement can last for a specified period of time or can be indefinite in their operation. The Coca-Cola recipe, for example, has been kept secret for well over 100 years.

The document would generally state why the information is being shared (without actually disclosing the confidential information being protected!) and the measures to be taken to ensure it remains confidential and is not used for any reason other than the stated purpose.

Where both parties are disclosing information to each other, a two-way or mutual NDA can be used to protect both the disclosing parties.

Without a proper and enforceable agreement, the party receiving the information may be able to do whatever they like with it. That said, just because you have an agreement, doesn’t mean it will be followed. Confidentiality Agreements also often deal with the consequences of misuse or unauthorized disclosure.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information, please contact McKillop Legal on (02) 9521 2455 or email help@mckilloplegal.com.au 

This information is general only and is not a substitute for proper legal advice. Please contact McKillop Legal to discuss your needs.

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in Asset Protection / Business / Commercial Law / Dispute Resolution / Employment / Intellectual Property / Risk management  by 01 Oct 2022 0 comments

Personal Guarantees

A personal guarantee is a written promise by a person (guarantor) that if a third party doesn’t pay its debts to the party entitled to the benefit of the guarantee, then the guarantor will make those payments.

Personal guarantees are regularly given by directors and sometimes shareholders of companies to personally guarantee the payment of money or obligations on behalf of the company, but they are also given on behalf of other individuals such as children.

They can be essential security for small to medium businesses in their contractual dealings with customers as the guarantor is then personally liable to pay the debt, whereas without the guarantee, the company could enter into liquidation and the contracting entity would have to prove the debt in the liquidation and risk not getting any return at all.

Common examples of where personal guarantees are used are in relation to:

  • leases of real property by companies;
  • loans by banks to adult children when purchasing property;
  • company loans from banks; and
  • company applications for credit at other businesses.

Managing risk

Entering info a personal guarantee is risky. You are placing your own assets at risk for the benefit of another person or entity so you should get legal advice before entering into one as well as assessing the commercial or other merits of providing the guarantee at all.

Considerations to help limit the risk include:

  • capping the maximum amount of the guarantee or the term in respect of which the guarantee is valid for;
  • requiring the guarantee to be secondary only (and not create a primarily liability of the guarantor);
  • removing security provisions such as caveats;
  • not allowing any variation to the agreement between the beneficiary and the person/entity whose liabilities are being guaranteed without your notice or consent;
  • seeking to have the guarantee removed  at some point once the borrower can demonstrate their own capacity to repay the debt.

however, often the beneficiary of the guarantee will not agree to these changes.

Aiding enforceability

If you are seeking to rely on a personal guarantee in your business, then you ought to get it drafted by a lawyer however, some basic tips to aid in enforceability include:

  • obtain a copy of the guarantor’s identification documents to properly identify them;
  • conduct some due diligence on the guarantor’s financial standing/capacity to pay;
  • obtain actual security for the guarantee obligation;
  • ensure it is signed and witnessed by an independent adult

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information, please contact McKillop Legal on (02) 9521 2455 or email help@mckilloplegal.com.au 

This information is general only and is not a substitute for proper legal advice. Please contact McKillop Legal to discuss your needs.

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in Asset Protection / Business / Commercial Law / Debt Recovery / Dispute Resolution / General / Insolvency & Bankruptcy / Risk management  by 01 Sep 2022 0 comments

Properly executing documents

When it comes to properly executing documents, depending on the type of document and the parties executing it, there are different requirements for it to be valid.

The manner of execution depends on matters such as:

  • Party – whether a party is an individual, a partnership, the Government, an association or a corporation (and whether those signatories are parties in their own right or as a trustee of a trust or a superannuation fund;
  • Document – whether it is a Deed or just a contract or an Agreement; and
  • Physical/Electronic – whether it to be signed online or in person, or a combination of both.

PARTY TYPE

Individuals

An individual may execute a document by simply signing it with their signature witnessed by a person who is not party to it.

Partnerships

For a partnership to be bound by a document or a deed, either all partners to the partnership or an individual authorised by all the partners (whether or not the individual is a partner) should execute the document or deed.

Often, documents will be executed by a partner on behalf of a partnership. This authority may be set out in the partnership deed or a power of attorney. If you cannot obtain a copy of the relevant authority, you should consider obtaining a warranty from the individual in the relevant execution clause that they have authority of the partnership to so execute the document.

Companies

Section 127 of the Corporations Act (Corporations Act) sets out the ways in which a document may be executed by a company. If a company executes a document in this way, anyone will be able to rely on the protection in other sections of the Corporations Act for dealings in relation to that company. A company may execute documents under seal or choose not to have a company seal and even if the company has a seal, it need not apply it.

A company may execute a document with or without a seal if the document is signed by:

  • 2 directors; or
  • a director and a company secretary o; or
  • a sole director (there is no requirement for a private company to have a secretary).

Companies can also sign via an agent under s.126 of the Corporations Act.

For more information on how companies can becomes bound by the actions of its agents and employees, click here.

Associations

Usually an incorporated association signs documents by having 2 committee members sign it but often the Rules of Association need to be examined to confirm this.

An unincorporated association is not a legal entity and so cannot contract in its own right so be careful entering into any contract of value with them.

Trusts

A trust is not a legal entity and as such, it cannot contract in its own right so all acts relating to a trust must be undertaken by its trustee or trustees.

The type execution clause that should be used will depend on what type of entity the trustee is (eg a company  or one or more individuals) execution clause should be used if the trustee is a company).

Although a trust is not a legal entity, it may be a tax entity so may have its own ABN. You should therefore confirm that the ABN being used is the ABN of the trust and not the ABN of the trustee. An ABN is a great identifier.

If you are unable to confirm that the trustee has the power to enter into the arrangement (which can usually be ascertained by examining the trust deed), you should consider obtaining a representation and warranty from the trustee that it has the power to execute the document or deed on behalf of the trust.

DOCUMENT TYPE

There are various reasons for choosing between the different types of document. such as greater (often double the length) limitation periods for enforcing obligations in deeds compared to just agreements. Sometimes legislation requires transactions by deed, but oftentimes deeds are used as they are the most solemn act a person can perform in relation to an item of property or any other right.

Agreement / Contract

Generally, a contract is in place and is valid if the following conditions are met:

  1. Intention to create legal relations
  2. An offer
  3. Consideration (price) being agreed
  4. Acceptance

A written signature is not necessarily required for a valid contract to exist. The terms of the agreement also can be agreed verbally.

Contracts can be signed electronically (even with the click of a mouse) since the Electronic Transactions Act 2000 (NSW) (ET Act) and corresponding legislation in Australia’s other States and Territories.

Deed

Traditionally, to be a valid, as a deed the document had to be “signed, sealed and delivered” and thus it had to be:

  • written (on paper or parchment);
  • signed and the parties’ seal/s applied); and
  • delivered (physically to the other party),

however now, there is no requirement for a seal (where it is described as a deed or expresses that is is ‘sealed’ and it is witnessed appropriately), the parties are presumed to have ‘delivered‘ it on execution and the parchment requirement has also been dispensed with given the ET Act, amendments to the Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) and, in relation to companies, the passing of the  Corporations Amendment (Meetings and Documents) Act 2022, which from 01 April 2022 (after the temporary COVID-19 pandemic measures ended on 30 March 2022), amended the Corporations Act to permanently allow things such as:

  • director or member meetings virtually, such as through Zoom or Teams meetings etc (regardless of the requirements under their constitutions); and
  • documents, including deeds, to be executed electronically.

As Deeds do not require consideration like a contract, often it can be sensible to include a nominal item (such as $10) as consideration just in case the document isn’t valid as a deed – as it can still be relied on as a contract, possibly even if not signed by the other party but part performed.

WET INK OR ELECTRONIC?

Documents now can either be signed:

  • in physical form with ‘wet ink‘ signatures;
  • electronically; or
  • a combination of both.

Either way, the method of signing must clearly and reliably identify the part and indicates the party’s intention in respect of the information recorded in the document.

Obviously, special care needs to be taken with parties that are not Australian residents and to consider the governing law and jurisdiction of the arrangement.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information, please contact McKillop Legal on (02) 9521 2455 or email help@mckilloplegal.com.au 

This information is general only and is not a substitute for proper legal advice. Please contact McKillop Legal to discuss your needs.

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in Asset Protection / Business / Commercial Law / Debt Recovery / Dispute Resolution / General / Litigation / Online Issues / Property / Risk management  by 01 Aug 2022 0 comments

Buying a property with others: Co-Ownership Agreements

Given the increasing cost of buying real estate, many potential purchasers are having to pool their resources to buy property together.

This can be good for many reasons as the costs can be shared and you may be able to own or live in better premises than you may otherwise be able to afford on your own, but there are risks.

Co-ownership often is a joyful experience at the beginning but often, disputes can arise such as each co-owner has differing views on the approach to be taken on various matters, from the important to the quite petty.

If you have bought, or are thinking of buying, a property with others, then you should really have a Co-Ownership Agreement in place.

Co-Ownership Agreements often cover the following maters (and others):

  • Ownership proportions
  • Amounts contributed for acquisition costs
  • How improvements to the property are made
  • Agreed valuation mechanism for exit purposes
  • Rights of first refusal / pre-emption
  • Parts of the property / premises either co-owner may have exclusive use of (and those for common use)
  • Contributions to expenses (insurance, rates, utilities etc)
  • Responsibilities for tasks like mowing, maintenance, upkeep etc
  • Dispute resolution procedures
  • Estate planning considerations (for example a couple’s interest may be held as joint tenants, rather than tenants in common).

Other articles of interest regarding this topic include:

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information on co-ownership of property and the benefits of Co-Ownership Agreements, please contact McKillop Legal on (02) 9521 2455 or email help@mckilloplegal.com.au 

This information is general only and is not a substitute for proper legal advice. Please contact McKillop Legal to discuss your needs.

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in Asset Protection / Dispute Resolution / Estate Planning / General / Property / Risk management  by 01 Jun 2022 0 comments
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