Gibson MacNeill Team

Any franchisee will know, and perhaps experienced, that franchising agreements inherently favour the franchisor. The power to dictate how a franchisee operates naturally translates to substantial bargaining leverage in the franchisor’s favour. The duty of good faith, now contained in section 18 of the Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes – Franchising) Regulations 2024 (Cth) ( Franchising Code ), is a statutory attempt to mitigate the misuse of bargaining power. The duty requires parties...

Overview   In a landmark decision of the Federal Court of Australia, a major data breach that exposed thousands of investors’ personal details has resulted in a $2.5 million penalty against FIIG Securities Limited (FIIG). The decision followed proceedings brought by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) for FIIG’s failure to maintain adequate cybersecurity measures — marking what is understood to be the first instance of civil liability for cybersecurity obligations...

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how businesses of all sizes operate. Once considered the domain of large corporations, AI is now accessible to small and medium sized businesses, helping boost productivity, streamline operations, and improve customer service. However, with these opportunities come responsibilities. Responsible AI adoption means ensuring systems are safe, lawful, and aligned with your business values. It’s about using AI in ways that build trust with your...