Companies, NSW Conveyancing and NSW Business and Franchise
This bundle includes guides from the following three publications.
Recent updates can be viewed at Obiter - News & Updates, via the link above.
Companies, Trusts, Partnerships and Superannuation
This valuable publication provides a simple guide to companies, trusts, partnerships, joint ventures and superannuation, with all commonly required documents, allowing you to advise and service your clients with confidence.
Superannuation is explained simply and comprehensively, and is accompanied by a full suite of precedents, including everything needed to set-up, run and amend a self managed superannuation fund.
The commentary provides a tax and succession planning overview sufficient for most circumstances found in general practice.
Some of the most popular precedents included in this publication:
- Comparative table of business structures
- Limited recourse borrowing documentation
- Company constitution
- Company resolution
- Shareholder agreement (long and short forms)
- Agreement for sale of shares
- SMSF trust deed and rules
- Binding death benefit nomination
- Unit trust
- Discretionary trust deed
- Hybrid trust
- Joint venture agreement
- Partnership agreement
- Put and Call option
- Charitable trust
NSW Conveyancing
A complete matter-management solution which allows solicitors, conveyancers and support staff to run a busy conveyancing practice. Includes the By Lawyers Contract for Sale of Land.
Each step in the transaction is set out in sequential order with easy access to all of the required precedents and a simple but comprehensive commentary. The publication includes the reference materials ‘1001 Conveyancing Answers’, ‘A full description of the sale process in NSW’ and ‘A full description of the purchase process in NSW’.
Popular precedents include:
- Contract for sale of land – By Lawyers
- Order on the agent
- Letter to vendor's solicitor with settlement adjustments and requesting payment directions
- Detailed cover sheet - Purchase of real property
- Section 66W certificate
- Direction to pay to purchaser’s solicitor
- Notice to complete
- Contract for sale of land – Law Society
- Letter to vendor's solicitor submitting transfer
- Settlement instructions mortgagee
NSW Business and Franchise
The Sale and Purchase of Business and Franchise publications seek to assist the practitioner to successfully navigate the complex process that is business conveyancing.
The commentaries set out the tax consequences of sale price apportionment and explain the tax treatment of stock, long service leave and other employee entitlements, the status of the premises and many other important issues.
The many precedents include the By Lawyers Uniform Contract for Sale of Business which covers all aspects of the transaction from pre-exchange vendor warranties and purchaser guarantees, by shareholders where applicable, to completion, the effective release of PPSR security interests, the transfer of business assets including copyright works, trade marks, supplier contracts and the ASIC requirements for the transfer of the business name. The contract also customises the competition restraints so they are enforceable, binds the key people and deals with confidential information and non?solicitation of staff and customers.
The comprehensive matter plan is an effective risk management tool, assisting practitioners to work though the matter ensuring the necessary steps of a typical matter are considered as required.
The Business Structures and the Comparative Table commentary usefully compares the various business structures. This is particularly useful when advising purchasers.
The Franchises commentary is a comprehensive manual on franchise agreements.
Recent updates can be viewed on Obiter - our News & Updates site.
Popular precedents in this publication include:
- By Lawyers Uniform Contract for Sale of Business
- Retainer instructions
- Library of 24 special conditions
- Library of 19 other contracts, licences and agreements
- Settlement adjustment sheet
- Client Enclosure - Summary of relevant considerations
Guides in this publication
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Business structures and the comparative table
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COMPANIES
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TRUSTS
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JOINT VENTURES
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PARTNERSHIPS
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SELF MANAGED SUPERANNUATION FUNDS
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SALE OF REAL PROPERTY (NSW)
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PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY (NSW)
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RETIREMENT VILLAGES (NSW)
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SALE OF BUSINESS AND FRANCHISE (NSW)
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PURCHASE OF BUSINESS AND FRANCHISE (NSW)
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1001 Conveyancing Answers (NSW)
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“ Commentaries ”
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“ In the legal profession the term ‘costs’ refers to the fees and other expenses a solicitor charges a client for their professional services and other payments that arise out of the provision of legal services, including disbursements such as court fees. Costs are one of the most heavily regulated ... ”
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“ Nature of disclosure1 Timing of disclosure2 ”
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“ Costs disclosure is not required in relation to certain clients, described in the legislation as ‘sophisticated clients’ or ‘government or commercial clients’ as defined by the relevant legislation to include clients such as lawyers, law firms, public companies, liquidators and government entities. ... ”
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“ Cost agreements are not always required although clearly as between the practitioner and their client there will be disclosure but without the need for formal compliance with the regulation. The limits are: ”
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“ In NSW & VIC there is a standard costs disclosure for fees under $3,000 which is included in the precedents. If the total legal costs in a matter (excluding GST and disbursements) are not likely to exceed $3,000 (the higher threshold), a law practice may, instead of making a disclosure under ... ”
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“ Knowing that clients are disinclined to read, sign and return cost agreements, the letter sending them usually provides that unless heard to the contrary the practice will assume agreement. There will almost always be a later opportunity to have the agreement signed. Of course, many practitioners ... ”
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“ Costs are remuneration for professional work when acting in the capacity of a barrister or solicitor. Payments to a practitioner for work which is not professional work, are not costs. Disbursements are payments made, or liabilities incurred in the course of practice and which the practitioner is ... ”
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“ Firms are required to provide an estimate of the total of costs, excluding GST and disbursements, and information on the impact of any significant change to these costs. A law practice must take all reasonable steps to satisfy itself that the client has understood and consented to the proposed ... ”
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“ What is a disbursement Disbursements are payments made, or liabilities incurred in the course of practice, and which the practitioner is bound to pay whether put in funds by the client or not; or payments which, by established custom and practice of the profession, the practitioner is bound to pay. ... ”
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“ A lawyer may request money on account of fees be paid into a trust account before the commencement of work. This is particularly so in criminal and other court matters where the inclination to pay may wane with an unwanted outcome. The funds may cover legal fees as well as disbursements and the ... ”
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“ The costs agreement will set out the billing cycle. Commonly a regular monthly billing cycle is adopted covering work undertaken during the previous month. ”
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“ A lump sum invoice is one which sets out a recital describing the legal service provided and a total amount. An itemised invoice is one which sets out in detail each of the legal services provided, the date they were provided, and the cost for each service. An itemised invoice allows for an invoice ... ”
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“ A law practice cannot charge for the time spent in preparing an invoice. A law practice cannot charge for the time spent in preparing an itemised invoice for a client who has already received a lump sum invoice. ”
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“ All bills should be accompanied by a written statement setting out the avenues that are open to the client in the event of a dispute and any time limits that apply to the taking of such action. Under the uniform law in NSW and VIC each bill or covering letter must be signed by a principal of the ... ”
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“ In 1991 the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission released guidelines to assist businesses in the withdrawal on one and two cent pieces. In the purchase of goods or services for cash, businesses were advised to round the final payment: ”
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“ – When to charge and how to charge Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a broad-based tax of 10% applied to most goods and services, including legal services. Businesses are required to register for GST if their turnover exceeds the $75,000 threshold. If turnover is less than $75,000 than registration ... ”
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“ Reducing fees can create good will but needs to be handled with care as some take offence to the implication that they cannot afford to pay for the work they have retained. It is also a hard won reality that comes from experience that people are inclined not to value any advice given for free. ”
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“ Credit terms are quite common and need to be clearly documented and administered. ”
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“ Notification of rights is a requirement in all states and is found in all example invoice precedents. If the client has not been advised of their rights in a costs agreement, then practitioners must advise the client of their rights at the time of issuing the invoice. ”
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“ Monthly accounting for work in progress is recommended in order to achieve target lockup days. If debtors are not followed up promptly cash flow reduces making it imperative to adopt a debtor’s policy for effective debtor control. All overdue accounts must be followed up promptly and repeatedly. ”
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“ When a retainer is terminated before completion, a practitioner may claim costs for the work done to the date of termination on a quantum meruit basis if: The client terminates the entire retainer; ”
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“ When there are costs owing to the practitioner from the client, the lawyer may retain possession of the client’s documents which are legitimately in the practitioner’s possession. However, the Australian Solicitors’ Rules specify that when a practitioner claims to exercise a lien for unpaid legal ... ”
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“ If a practitioner has an equitable charge over the client’s property incorporated into the costs agreement, ordinarily the practitioner could exercise that power in seeking payment of costs. However, general charges such as a charge over ‘all my estate, rights, title and interest in and to any real ... ”
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“ Sound financial management is absolutely critical to the success of the law practice. There is a high correlation between practices with poor financial management and increased probability of experiencing professional negligence claims. The link is clear. Principals, who do not manage their ... ”
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“ Methods of payment include: Credit card; ”
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“ All By Lawyers cost agreements include the following authority to transfer money to pay their invoices: Trust money ”
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“ Lawcover recommends that practitioners use the costs assessment scheme to recover costs. Instituting proceedings against a disgruntled client who refuses to pay an outstanding bill exposes practitioners to the risk of a cross-claim in negligence being filed. The advantage of the cost assessment ... ”
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“ The following outline of costs assessment was written for NSW but the procedure is similar in the other states. This publication will be expanded to cover cost assessment in the other states in due course. In the interim refer to the relevant State Supreme Court. NSW Procedure ”
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“ A client may be entitled to complain to the Legal Services Commissioner about a costs dispute. If the complaint is made after the law practice or client has already applied for assessment of such costs, the assessment will ordinarily be stayed until the complaint has been determined. Similarly, if ... ”
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“ Retirement Living Council Retirement Villages – Fair Trading NSW ”
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“ Purchase of Real Property (NSW) Sale of Real Property (NSW) ”
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“ Taking good instructions The use of precedent Retainer Instructions ensures that all important issues are considered, instructions which cannot be contradicted later are recorded, costs discussed and the scope of the retainer clearly defined. ”
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“ The application of the statutory regime depends on the determination of the following core issues: Whether a resident is either: ”
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“ The standard contracts and the statutory regime combine the residency rights discussed above into two groups: Registered interest holders – Including freehold title, company title and registered longterm leases entitling the resident to at least 50% of any capital gain, and registered longterm ... ”
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“ A payment for freehold title is referred to as a purchase price and is not usually refundable by the operator on exit. The former occupant is responsible for obtaining the new entry payment from the person who buys the premises. Any other lump sum payment made under a residence contract or in ... ”
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“ The usual consideration should be given to the need for the appointment of an attorney, general or enduring, and also to the appointment of an enduring guardian. This is most likely to come into play where a resident loses capacity during residency and needs to move on to serviced living ... ”
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“ The purchase price or ingoing contribution paid for a right to occupy a dwelling within a retirement village, and to be used as a principal residence, will not be included in the asset test for the age pension. The definition of ‘retirement village’ for pension purposes is broad: s 12(3) Social ... ”
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“ If the purchase price or ingoing contribution falls under the ‘extra allowable amount’ set out within s 1148(2) of the Social Security Act 1991, the resident will be entitled to rental assistance which can be put towards paying recurrent charges. Although an advertised purchase price or ingoing ... ”
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“ VOI ”
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“ A Client Authorisation enables the client to authorise a solicitor or conveyancer to act on their behalf for an electronic transaction. Although the authorisation is similar to a power of attorney, legislation specifically states a client authorisation is not a power of attorney. A client ... ”
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“ Sections 23C and 54A of the Conveyancing Act allows a contract to be signed by a duly authorised agent in writing. However, if a document that is required to be registered such as a transfer is signed by an attorney then the power must be registered. A power of attorney authorises the attorney to ... ”
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“ The NSW Government has developed mandatory standard contracts which apply to all village contracts, under lease or licence, and to all services contracts associated with a residence right under freehold or company title. An agreement to lease or licence usually accompanies these contracts. It is an ... ”
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“ The standard contracts are generally composed of: key terms setting out the parties’ names, the premises and the type of residence rights being offered; ”
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“ Section 18(1) of the Act requires an operator to provide a general inquiry document within 14 days after becoming aware that a person is a prospective resident or is acting on behalf of a prospective resident. This includes family members and advisors acting on behalf of the prospective resident. ... ”
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“ Section 18(3A) of the Act requires an operator to publish a disclosure statement in the form prescribed within Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the regulations. The disclosure statement must be dated and signed by the operator and annexed to the village contract. It is an offence to enter into a village ... ”
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“ Where a retirement village has rules dealing with the use, control or management of the village, a copy of the rules must be annexed to the village contract. In the case of a strata or community land scheme, bylaws under those schemes will apply instead of village rules. Any rule that is ... ”
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“ Village contracts under freehold title involve residential land, and thus require a contract for the sale of land, in writing, attaching the mandatory documents as set out within s 52A of the Conveyancing Act 1919 and r 4 and Schedule 1 of the Conveyancing (Sale of Land) Regulation 2017 (NSW). The ... ”
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“ A typical retirement village lease is made up of a NSW Land Registry Services lease dealing form 07L, terms and conditions, often in the form of a registered memorandum, and a plan identifying the premises. When acting for couples, the lease must specify whether they are entering as joint tenants ... ”
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“ Stamp duty Residence rights granted under freehold and company title are liable to stamp duty. A lease premium paid on the transfer of an assignable lease is also dutiable. Ad valorem rates apply on either the market value or consideration paid, whichever is greater. ”
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