I signed a bad deal, do I have to pay?

Negotiate the terms before you sign, not when you get the bill.   I signed a bad deal is not a good defence. Dealing with business disputes is what I do day in and day out. So, I get to see all sides to disputes and the people that have them.  From my observations,...Read More

Stay that Bankruptcy

The Full Federal Court in the case of Totev v Sfar [2008] FCAFC 35 considered the practical difficulties and effect of time lapsing between the original sequestration order being made and a review by way of hearing de novo.  During that time, without a stay in place,...Read More

13 Questions to Ask the Lawyer before Suing

by Kristine Hopkins, LLB(hons), LLM, Australian Legal Practitioner Suing someone is not always sensible and simple cases can turn into complex defended litigation costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. At that point, the matter is no longer commercial. Some lawyers...Read More

Business is not a Play Pen

by Kristine Hopkins, LLM, LLB(Hons), Australian Legal Practitioner I talk to business people all the time when things go wrong.  Usually when they want to resolve a dispute or sue.  Being a dispute resolution specialist, by the time I see the deal, it has gone very,...Read More

Don’t Forget to Collect your Debts

Doing work and then not getting paid is not good for business.   Why does it always feel bad to chase up slow or non-paying customers?  Why do you feel like your being “bad” when you ask for payment?    That is the biggest problem I confront as a lawyer,...Read More