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Fixed Quotes
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We provide clients with fixed quotes for providing high quality legal services within their budget.
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We are highly responsive lawyers who provide legal services to meet clients' requirements.
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We provide clients with clear, practical, expert legal advice to achieve their goals.
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We meet the highest service levels in providing legal services to clients.
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We strive to minimise clients' legal, regulatory and commercial risks and costs.
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19 December 2025 - Federal Court Orders Record $250 Million Penalty Against ANZIn a record-breaking decision, the Federal Court has ordered ANZ Banking Group to pay $250 million in penalties for widespread misconduct and systemic compliance failures. The penalties, handed down on 19 December 2025, address issues ranging from the mismanagement of a government bond deal to inaccurate data reporting. Justice Beach described the bank's conduct as "inexcusable," emphasising the necessity of the penalty for deterrence. This case is a critical reminder for corporate entities about the intersection of technology and compliance. It demonstrates that "system errors" and governance lapses are not valid defences against regulatory breaches. For FinTech startups and established corporations, the judgment highlights the importance of automated compliance monitoring and the risks associated with legacy IT systems. The magnitude of the fine sets a new baseline for corporate penalties in Australia.
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2 December 2025 - New AI Policy and Impact Assessment Tool ReleasedThe Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) has released a major overhaul of the Australian Government's AI Policy, accompanied by a new AI Impact Assessment Tool and comprehensive guidance on AI procurement. This release marks a significant step toward the regulation and adoption of artificial intelligence in the public sector, establishing a framework that prioritises safety, transparency, and responsible use. For startups, this development signals a shift towards more rigorous governance standards that will likely influence broader industry practices. The new tools are designed to help agencies and suppliers navigate the complexities of AI deployment, ensuring that risks are identified and managed early in the procurement lifecycle. This is a critical update for any organisation developing or supplying AI solutions to government, as it sets the baseline for compliance and expectation management in this rapidly evolving field.
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17 November 2025 – Amendments to Trade Marks Regulations for International Registrations
IP Australia has implemented the Trade Marks Amendment (International Registrations, Hearings and Oppositions) Regulations 2025, which introduce key changes to the management of international trade marks and opposition proceedings. These amendments aim to streamline processes and align Australia’s system more closely with the Madrid Protocol. Key changes include increasing the period for filing a notice of intention to defend an opposition to two months and clarifying the relationship between national and international registrations. For brand owners, these updates provide greater flexibility and clarity in protecting assets across borders. Startups looking to expand globally should take note of the simplified "partial replacement" provisions, which could reduce administrative burdens when managing international brand portfolios.
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5 November 2025 - OAIC Signals Escalation in Privacy Enforcement with Landmark Civil PenaltiesThe Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) 2024-25 Annual Report reveals a significant escalation in privacy enforcement and a strengthened regulatory posture. The report highlights a landmark development: the imposition of the first civil penalties ordered under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Australian Clinical Labs (ACL) was ordered to pay $5.8 million relating to a data breach by its Medlab Pathology business. This demonstrates the OAIC's willingness to utilise the increased penalty regime to address serious or repeated interferences with privacy. The report also detailed other significant outcomes, including a $50 million payment program resulting from an enforceable undertaking by Meta Platforms, Inc. Furthermore, the OAIC demonstrated efficiency by finalising 1,155 notifications under the Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme, with 86% finalised within 60 days. This report sends a clear message to businesses: robust data governance, security measures, and breach response plans are essential to mitigate significant financial and regulatory risks.
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27 October 2025 - ACCC Takes Microsoft to Court Over Alleged Misleading Conduct in AI IntegrationThe Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has instituted Federal Court proceedings against Microsoft, alleging false or misleading conduct concerning the integration of its generative AI product, Copilot, into Microsoft 365 (M365) Personal and Family subscriptions. The ACCC alleges that Microsoft presented auto-renewing subscribers with a false dichotomy: accept the integration of Copilot at a higher price or cancel their subscription. Crucially, the ACCC contends that Microsoft failed to disclose a viable third option—the M365 "Classic" plans—which allowed subscribers to retain their existing features without Copilot at the previous price. The regulator alleges this option was concealed until after subscribers initiated the cancellation process. This case underscores the ACCC’s intense scrutiny of digital platforms and consumer protection during the rollout of new technologies. For technology providers and e‑commerce businesses, this action highlights the stringent requirement for transparency when altering subscription models or implementing price increases, with potential penalties exceeding $50 million per breach.
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21 October 2025 - New National Guidance Released for Responsible AI Adoption in AustraliaThe National AI Centre (NAIC) has released the "Guidance for AI Adoption," a crucial framework for Australian businesses integrating artificial intelligence. This guidance is essential for navigating the evolving landscape of AI law, privacy regulations, and the implementation of commercial technologies. Building on the previous Voluntary AI Safety Standard, the new guidance simplifies requirements into six key practices to ensure safe, ethical, and responsible AI deployment. It offers a tiered approach tailored to different maturity levels. The "Foundations" tier provides startups and SMEs with practical steps to establish essential governance and manage risk from the outset. The "Implementation Practices" tier offers detailed technical advice for established corporations scaling complex AI systems. Critically, the guidance includes practical tools, such as AI Policy and Register templates. Adopting these practices is vital for demonstrating regulatory compliance, protecting intellectual property, and mitigating commercial liability when utilising AI in operations or e-commerce platforms.
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