The ‘Closing Loopholes’ Bill, tabled in the House of Representatives on 4 September 2023, proposes reforms that will have a substantial impact on employers, employees, principals, and contractors. It is a continuation of one of the most significant industrial relations reform agendas in Australian history.

In the first episode of our Inside IR mini-series on the Bill, partners Rohan Doyle, Nicholas Ogilvie and Natalie Gaspar discuss some of the most significant changes in the Bill: being same job same pay, the new ‘unfair contracts’ jurisdiction of the FWC, and the new suite of minimum rights and conditions for non-employees in the gig economy and road transport distribution sectors. Rohan, Nick and Natalie explore the practical implications of these proposed new laws, and share some tips for businesses on how best to plan for them.

In this fifth episode in the FDI Friday series John Taylor (Partner), Veronica Roberts (Partner), and Ruth Allen (Professional Support Lawyer) discuss practical insights into the application of the UK's National Security and Investment (NSI) regime in the context of private capital transactions, drawing on their experience of regularly dealing with the Investment Security Unit (ISU) in relation to the NSI review process.

Speakers: John Taylor, Partner, Corporate – Private Equity,

Veronica Roberts, Partner, Competition and Foreign Direct Investment and Ruth Allen, Professional Support Lawyer, Competition and Foreign Direct Investment

In this fourth episode in the FDI Friday series Bob Moore (Partner), Veronica Roberts (Partner), and Ruth Allen (Professional Support Lawyer) discuss practical insights into the application of the UK's National Security and Investment (NSI) regime to deals in the pharma sector, drawing on their experience of regularly dealing with the Investment Security Unit (ISU) in relation to the NSI review process.

Speakers: Bob Moore, Partner, Corporate, Veronica Roberts, Partner, Competition and Foreign Direct Investment and Ruth Allen, Professional Support Lawyer, Competition and Foreign Direct Investment

Join Partners Andrew Eastwood and Peter Jones and Senior Associate David Curley for a look at who is responsible when a bank’s customer is scammed.

In this episode, Christine Tran, Christine Wong and Brendan Donohue discuss the growing area of cyber class actions in Australia and the associated regulatory investigation risks, including current activity, challenges, areas of reform and practical tips.

In this third episode in the FDI Friday series Sarah Pollock (Partner), Tim Briggs (Partner), and Ruth Allen (Professional Support Lawyer) discuss practical insights into the application of the UK's National Security and Investment (NSI) regime to deals in the energy sector, drawing on their experience of regularly dealing with the Investment Security Unit (ISU) in relation to the NSI review process.

Speakers: Sarah Pollock, Partner, Corporate - Energy, Tim Briggs, Partner, Competition and Foreign Direct Investment and Ruth Allen, Professional Support Lawyer, Competition and Foreign Direct Investment

In this second episode in the FDI Friday series Veronica Roberts (Partner), David Coulling (Partner), and Ruth Allen (Professional Support Lawyer) discuss practical insights into the application of the UK's National Security and Investment (NSI) regime to deals in the technology sector, drawing on their experience of regularly dealing with the Investment Security Unit (ISU) in relation to the NSI review process.

Speakers: Veronica Roberts, Partner, Competition and Foreign Direct Investment, David Coulling, Partner, TMT and Ruth Allen, Professional Support Lawyer, Competition and Foreign Direct Investment

In this first episode in the FDI Friday series Veronica Roberts (Partner), Gavin Davies (Partner) and Ruth Allen (Professional Support Lawyer) discuss practical insights into the operation of the UK's National Security and Investment (NSI) regime, drawing on their experience of regularly dealing with the Investment Security Unit (ISU) and providing evidence to the ongoing Parliamentary Inquiry into information sharing by the ISU.

Speakers: Veronica Roberts, Partner, Competition and Foreign Direct Investment, Gavin Davies, Partner, Global M&A, Ruth Allen, Professional Support Lawyer, Competition and Foreign Direct Investment

Susan Black (Partner) and Kristien Geeurickx (Professional Support Consultant) put the spotlight on the consumer protection provisions of the UK's Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill which is currently going through Parliament and is expected to take effect late 2023/early 2024. Once adopted it will make a number of key changes to the UK consumer protection regime, including strengthened enforcement powers and the introduction of new, enhanced consumer rights in order to ensure the legislation keeps pace with market developments such as the trend towards online retail and advertising. Some of the headline points we cover in the podcast include the possibility for enforcers to impose penalties of up to 10% of global turnover on infringing businesses, a series of requirements imposed on businesses that operate subscription contracts, and focus on unfair practices such as fake reviews and greenwashing. Once the Bill is adopted we will follow up with further insights, so watch this space.

This episode forms part of the wider CRT podcast series, which brings you the latest developments in competition, regulatory and trade law from across EMEA and beyond. More episodes from the CRT series can be found here https://www.herbertsmithfreehills.com/latest-thinking/crtea-podcast-series

In this consumer podcast, Susan Black (Partner) and Kristien Geeurickx (Professional Support Consultant) put the spotlight on the consumer protection provisions of the UK's Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill which is currently going through Parliament and is expected to take effect late 2023/early 2024. Once adopted it will make a number of key changes to the UK consumer protection regime, including strengthened enforcement powers and the introduction of new, enhanced consumer rights in order to ensure the legislation keeps pace with market developments such as the trend towards online retail and advertising. Some of the headline points we cover in the podcast include the possibility for enforcers to impose penalties of up to 10% of global turnover on infringing businesses, a series of requirements imposed on businesses that operate subscription contracts, and focus on unfair practices such as fake reviews and greenwashing. Once the Bill is adopted we will follow up with further insights, so watch this space.