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The legal world is continuously changing. As a business person without legal qualifications, it can be overwhelming. We regularly produce articles and legal news in Australia so you can get an overview of legal matters that are relevant to you.
You'll also find articles about our team, our firm, and our services, so you can get to know us better. Feel free to dig into our current library, and if you have any questions, you know who to contact - the team at Sierra Legal are waiting to help.
Two recent decisions reinforce that liability for misleading and deceptive conduct under the Australian Consumer Law can arise well before binding transaction documents are signed by the parties. If your business issues tender documents, information memoranda or due diligence materials, this article is relevant to you.
They set out to sell part of their stake in Melbourne Airport. They ended up losing all of it. If you hold shares in a company with a shareholders' agreement and you're planning to sell those shares, there are clauses that could cost you far more than the deal you're trying to do — and a recent court decision shows exactly how.
Sierra Legal has been named 'Most Innovative Corporate & Commercial Law Firm 2026 – Australia' at the APAC Legal Awards, run by APAC Insider. It's a reflection of the work that happens behind the scenes every day across M&A, corporate transactions and commercial legal matters.
From 1 October 2026, reforms implemented by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will change the rules governing card payment surcharges. The reforms allow designated card networks – currently EFTPOS, Mastercard, and Visa – to impose no-surcharge rules under their network arrangements for debit, prepaid and credit card payments.
From 1 July 2026, law firms, accountants, real estate professionals and other designated non-financial businesses will become subject to Australia's Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regime for the first time. These are known as the 'Tranche 2' reforms.
Each year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) releases its Compliance and Enforcement Priorities, outlining the areas where it intends to focus its investigative and enforcement efforts. These priorities provide valuable insight for Australian businesses into the types of...
Our Senior Associate, Luke Pigram, recently joined Rok Popov Ledinski on the podcast Rok’s Legal AI Conversations to discuss how Sierra Legal builds and manages its own internal systems rather than relying on off‑the‑shelf tools.
Welcome to the third and final part of our Things to Consider When Selling Your Business series. With a clear strategy and your business in order, you are ready to move into the transaction phase. While every transaction is different, the general approach is often similar and can be broken down...
Welcome to Part 2 of the Sierra Series, Things to Consider When Selling Your Business. In Part 1, we looked at how to develop a clear strategy for selling your business. Once your strategy is set, preparation becomes critical. Even the best-laid plans can quickly unravel if your records, structures...
Welcome to the second edition of the Sierra Series, where we take a closer look at Things to Consider When Selling Your Business. Selling a business is a major milestone - and preparation is critical. In this three-part series, we guide you through the key stages of the process: Part 1: Develop...
From 1 January 2026, Australia’s merger control regime will change significantly. If you plan to buy a business, acquire key assets, or purchase shares or units in an entity connected with Australia, you must now take a critical step: determining whether your transaction requires notification to...
As 2025 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to look back on an incredible year at Sierra Legal.
At Sierra Legal, we believe success goes beyond the office. Our flexible and remote working model allows team members to pursue their passions outside of work while continuing to deliver excellence for clients. In 2025, several of our team members demonstrated just how much can be achieved when...
Welcome to Part 3 of the Sierra Series: Unfair Contract Terms Under the Microscope - our deep dive into the “usual suspects” that often attract scrutiny under the Australian Consumer Law’s (ACL) unfair contract terms (UCT) regime. This week, we’re examining liability and indemnity clauses -...
Welcome to Part 2 of the Sierra Series: Unfair Contract Terms Under the Microscope - our ongoing look at common contract terms that continue to raise red flags under the Australian Consumer Law’s (ACL) unfair contract terms (UCT) regime. This week, we’re examining automatic renewal clauses - a...
Welcome to Part 1 of the Sierra Series: Unfair Contract Terms Under the Microscope - our deep dive into some of the most common contract terms that continue to raise red flags under the Australian Consumer Law’s (ACL) unfair contract terms (UCT) regime. In this first instalment, we’re examining...
Welcome to the first edition of the Sierra Series, where we take a closer look at legal issues we encounter daily in practice - and offer practical, actionable tips to help businesses stay compliant and commercially sound. In this edition, we’re putting unfair contract terms under the microscope.
Australia’s new merger control framework introduces a more structured and transparent process for merger notifications and reviews. A key feature of the reforms is the creation of a public acquisitions register, designed to improve visibility of merger and acquisition activity and strengthen...
In M&A transactions, protecting confidential information is crucial. Our latest blog explores the role of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and other practical measures that can be implemented to protect your business’s confidential information during an M&A transaction.
As Australia begins to implement the changes to its merger control regime, businesses planning mergers or acquisitions must understand the new rules and transition mechanisms to avoid delays, penalties, or regulatory surprises. Here's a breakdown of the key developments and what they mean for your...
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising howAustralian businesses operate, from automating customer service andstreamlining logistics, to drafting documents and screening job applicants. Butwith innovation comes complexity. As AI adoption accelerates, as does thelegal, ethical, and...
In a landmark development for corporate accountability and environmental marketing, EnergyAustralia has reached a settlement in a greenwashing case initiated by advocacy group Parents for Climate. This was the first time in Australia that civil proceedings in respect of alleged misleading "carbon...
Earlier this year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced its compliance and enforcement priorities for 2025–26. These priorities offer a crucial roadmap for Australian businesses, providing insights into the ACCC’s regulatory direction and the sectors under increased...
The Government has recently announced as part of the Budget for 2025/26 that it will introduce a statutory ban on non-compete clauses for workers earning under $175,000, effective from 2027. It is also proposing to prohibit agreements between businesses that involve wage fixing or ‘no-poach’...
The new Franchising Code of Conduct, set out in the Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes-Franchising) Regulations 2024 (the Code), is now in effect as of 1 April 2025. This update marks a significant update to Australia’s franchising regulatory framework, introducing enhanced protections for...