What makes a discount genuine?

In this episode of the Watchdog series, Partner and host Shaun Temby is joined by Associate Ashley Frost to unpack the Federal Court's decision in ACCC v Coles, which examined Coles' "Down Down" promotional campaign and the use of was-now pricing.

Their discussion explores when discount representations maybecome misleading, how businesses should think about price establishment periods, and what practical lessons organisations can take from the Court's reasoning.

Whether your business regularly runs sales campaigns or promotional pricing strategies, this episode offers practical guidance on navigating Australian Consumer Law obligations.

In this episode:

01:17 – Overview of the ACCC's case against Coles

02:05 – Australian Consumer Law obligations and the ACCC's allegations

03:16 – What is a price establishment period and why does it matter?

04:30 – The Court's 12-week benchmark and why it isn't a universal rule

05:31 – The significance of Coles' internal pricing policies

06:53 – The role of the ordinary and reasonable consumer

08:25 – Practical compliance tips for businesses using was-now pricing

10:04 – Internal safeguards, monitoring, and promotion governance

11:20 – Key takeaways and final thoughts

Read the companion article on the Maddockswebsite here for a deeper analysis of the decision and its implications for businesses using promotional pricing strategies.

In this episode, hosts Emily Kidd and Pete Gavralas sit down with Greg Palumbo, Partner in Maddocks' Technology, Media & Telecommunications team, and Chair of Maddocks Pride.

Greg shares his unique career journey from New York's legalmarket to Australia, discusses the diverse and innovative work he leads at Maddocks, and explores how pro bono, diversity and inclusion initiatives contribute to a stronger, more connected culture at the law firm.

The conversation also highlights how lawyers at every stageof their career can make a meaningful impact through pro bono work, while developing valuable skills and supporting important community causes.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Greg's journey from New York law firms to Maddocks
• Building a career across technology, media, and hospitality
• Leading Maddocks Pride and fostering an inclusive workplace
• The importance of diversity, inclusion, and authenticity at work
• Pro bono opportunities for Maddocks lawyers and graduates
• Supporting artists, musicians, and community organisations through legal services
• How pro bono work helps develop legal and leadership skills
• What matters most about working at Maddocks

About the guest

Greg Palumbo is a Partner in Maddocks' Technology, Media & Telecommunications team and Chair of Maddocks Pride. Greg advises clients across technology, intellectual property, media and hospitality matters, and is passionate about pro bono work, diversity and inclusion, and creating opportunities for people to thrive both inside and outside the workplace.

Hosted by: Emily Kidd and Pete Gavralas
Guest: Greg Palumbo
Produced by: Charlotte Verley

To learn more about Maddocks, visit www.maddocks.com.au.

In this episode of Watchdog, host and Partner, Shaun Temby, is joined by Partner, Brendan Tomlinson, to unpack two significant ACCC proceedings against Microsoft and Amazon, which could reshape how subscription businesses communicate with customers and manage contract changes.

Brendan and Shaun’s discussion explores allegations that Microsoft failed to adequately disclose subscription options when introducing its AI-powered Copilot product, and the ACCC's action against Amazon – the first major unfair contract terms action since significant reforms to the regime came into effect.

Together, Shaun and Brendan examine what these cases reveal about the ACCC's evolving approach to consumer protection, transparency, subscription models and unfair contract terms, along with the potential implications for businesses across technology, streaming, software and retail sectors.

Key Topics Discussed

• Microsoft Copilot subscription changes and ACCC allegations
• Misleading and deceptive conduct by omission
• Consumer expectations in subscription-based software services
• The role of retention offers and legacy product options
• Amazon Prime Video advertising changes
• Australia's strengthened unfair contract terms regime
• Unilateral variation clauses in customer contracts
• Legitimate business interests and contract reviews
• The ACCC's increasing focus on subscription business models
• What businesses should do to prepare for regulatory scrutiny

Related Insights

• Necessary Innovation or Hidden Choices? Microsoft's defence in the ACCC Subscription case
• Is this the Prime example of unfair contract terms?

In this episode of the Do What Matters podcast, hosts PeteGavralas, Emily Kidd and producer Charlotte Verley are joined by Maddocks' Director of Operational Excellence Mitch Grant, to explore how technology and AI are transforming the legal profession. Mitch shares his career journey, discusses the opportunities presented by AI, examines the future of legal careers and graduate recruitment, and highlights the importance of balancing innovation with strong governance with professional responsibility. Drawing on his experience leading legal operations and technology initiatives, Mitch also reflects on what matters most in creating a better experience for lawyers and clients alike.

00:18 – Introductions

01:12 – Mitch’s career journey to Director of Operational Excellence at Maddocks

02:42 – How technology has transformed legal practice

04:34 – How real-time access to information is changing client expectations

05:19 – How AI tools are reshaping the way lawyers work

06:00 – The value that AI delivers

07:38 – AI's impact on the future of legal careers

08:57 – AI training through the Maddocks graduate program

10:49 – Advice for students and junior lawyers on preparing for a technology-enabledlegal profession

11:31 – The skills that matter most in an AI-driven future

13:02 – Governance and professional obligations when using AI

15:45 – How AI stories encourage law teams to innovate together

16:18 – What ‘Do What Matters’ means to Mitch

17:59 – Key takeaways on AI, innovation, and the future of legal practice at Maddocks

Learn more about Maddocks' early career programs here: https://www.maddocks.com.au/careers/clerkship-graduate-program

In this episode of Do What Matters, our Sydney team take over the podcast mics to talk all things Clerkship Applications.

Sydney lawyers Neha Vinodh and Patrick Skaf are joined by Senior People & Culture Advisor for Early Careers, Juliet David.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• 1:45 – Introduction to Juliet and her role at Maddocks
• 2:35 – A run-through of the clerkship application process
• 3:50 – How to make your CV and cover letter stand out
• 4:53 – What made Maddocks stand out to us (Patrick and Neha)
• 6:50 – Ways to demonstrate genuine interest in Maddocks
• 9:40 – How to start conversations or break the ice at networking events
• 11:40 – How we prepared for information evenings (Neha)
• 13:14 – Do you need legal experience to apply for a clerkship
• 14:55 – How much does the weighted average mark (WAM) matter
• 16:30 – What are the next steps after getting your application shortlisted
• 19:45 – Advice on interviews
• 21:20 – How to showcase your knowledge of Maddocks

To learn more about Maddocks Early Careersprograms, visit our website.

To catch up on past episodes and subscribe for future episodes, check out our channel.

The Do What Matters podcast series is back for 2026! In this episode, returning hosts Emily Kidd and Pete Gavralas and producer Charlotte Verley sit down with Maddocks Graduates Isabella Best and Maatharan Maheswaran to talk about their experiences as law clerks and share their key takeaways from the Maddocks Graduate Program.

In this podcast you’ll hear:

00:50 – A quick background about the hosts and producer

01:11 – What we’ve got planned for this year’s podcast episodes

01:52 – Meet our two guests, current graduates: Isabella Best and Maatharan Maheswaran

02:18 – Our guests tell us about themselves and their journeys to Maddocks

03:55 – What the grad process looks like: Practical Legal Training (PLT), national induction and settling into teams

05:00 – This year’s inaugural National Induction in Melbourne

06:14 – The clerkship process

07:11 – How the clerkship prepares you for the transition from student to full time work

08:28 – Why Maddocks was the right fit and what the graduate offer process looks like

09:50 – What our graduates wish they knew as a clerkship applicant

11:36 – Working in a commercial law firm vs. expectations at university

12:58 – What our graduates are most excited about this year

14:26 – How ‘Do What Matters’ relates to our guest graduates

Listen to our past episodes and subscribe to this series by following Maddocks on the Mic. Learn more about the Maddocks clerkship & graduate program on our website.

In this episode, Partner and host Shaun Temby is joined by Maddocks Associate Rebecca Power to unpack two recent Australian court decisions that highlight how seriously courts treat brand confusion and misleading conduct.

Cases discussed:

1. Jackson’s Drawing Supplies v Jackson’s Art Supplies2. Bed Bath ‘N’ Table v Global Retail Brands Australia

Brands are among a company’s most valuable assets - embodying reputation, goodwill, and consumer trust.
These recent decisions underscore a clear message: If your branding creates confusion, even unintentionally, the legal consequences can be significant.

👉 Read the full legal insight article here.

👉 Explore more Watchdog episodes here.

👉 Learn more about Maddocks at www.maddocks.com.au/

The Watchdog podcast is back for 2026. Kicking off the new season, Maddocks Partner and host Shaun Temby and Maddocks Special Counsel Christopher Marsh return to the mics to mark a major milestone: the tenth edition of Maddocks’ ACCC Year in Review publication. Together, they reflect on a decade of regulatory change and the ACCC’s shifting role in Australia’s economy.

Across ten editions, the publication has charted the ACCC’s evolution from a traditional competition and consumer protection enforcer to a multidisciplinary market steward, spanning digital platform regulation, energy transition oversight, mandatory merger reform, and consumer protection in an increasingly complex economic landscape.

👉 Read the publication: Watchdog Recap | 2025 ACCC Year in Review

In this episode Maddocks Partner, Shaun Temby, is joined by Special Counsel, Viviane Karoumbalis, to discuss the ACCC's proceedings against Microsoft Corporation and its Australian subsidiary, Microsoft Pty Ltd.

The case centres on allegations that the tech giant engaged in misleading conduct concerning its Microsoft 365 subscription pricing and the integration of its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.

This is a must-listen for anyone interested in consumer law, digital marketing or the evolving landscape of AI and subscription services.

The final instalment in our Do What Matters podcastseries is here! A must listen for all applicants currently in the midst of clerkship interviews, this episode sees hosts Emily Kidd, Pete Gavralas and producer Charlotte Verley answer all of your questions.

 Taking a very close look at the inner workings ofthe interviews process, the conversation provides plenty of helpful tips – plus gives listeners the finer, practical details of the Maddocks clerkship program and how successful applicants can make a great impression and get the most out of their clerkship.