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State Government Regulations: Public Meeting and Hearing Restrictions

With restrictions on physical interaction during the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Government has implemented the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (COVID-19 Planning Bodies) Regulation 2020 (COVID Regulation). The COVID Regulation which was put into action on 25 March 2020 requires the holding of public meetings and public hearings by planning bodies to be held through electronic means. These include:

  1. By way of audio link or audio visual link; and
  2. In a means that permits it to be heard or viewed electronically by members of the public whilst the meeting or hearing is being held.

The COVID Regulation applies to:

  • Local planning panels;
  • Regional planning panels;
  • District planning panels;
  • The Independent Planning Commission;
  • Any other panels established by the Planning Secretary or Minister under section 2.3 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EPA Act).

Such meetings or hearings must be held live and available to the public, and thus is not permitted to record the meeting or hearing and subsequently make the recording publicly available. Under clause 294(6) of the EPA Regulation, a person who is required to attend the public hearing or meeting satisfies the requirement by participating by way of audio or audio visual input, in contrast to attending in person. [...]  READ MORE →

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Introduction of Local Government COVID 19 Regulations – Financial Relief

The State Government on 17 April 2020 has made the Local Government (General) Amendment (COVID-19) Regulations 2020 (‘COVID-19 Regulation’) to amend the Local Government (General) Regulations 2006 (‘Local Government Regulations’). This amendment was sparked by the strict procedural and financial provisions within the Local Government Act 1993 (‘Local Government Act’), limiting councils in providing financial relief for ratepayers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These changes to the Local Government Regulations has allowed councils to waiver or reduce fees in response to the pandemic and delay payment of an instalment of rates over the next month (from date amended). Additionally, the COVID-19 Regulation has permitted councils additional time to prepare the following documents over the next month (similar from date amended): [...]  READ MORE →

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FAQs – How Our Divorce Lawyers are Responding to Covid

Chloe Elkerton, one of our divorce lawyers answers some frequently asked questions on how our family law team and the Family Court is responding to Covid.

Are you still seeing clients?

Yes, we are still seeing clients! Although our team is working from home at the moment, we have quickly adapted to the changes and have implemented the technologies to be able to provide you with advice via telephone or video conferencing. Face-to-face consultations with your divorce lawyer can also be arranged where necessary in our conferencing rooms which are spacious enough to allow for social distancing. [...]  READ MORE →

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Virgin Australia – What Now?

By Anica Cunanan, Law Clerk and Darrin Mitchell, Senior Associate, of Matthews Folbigg Lawyers, in our Insolvency, Restructuring and Debt Recovery Group.

In our first article on the voluntary administration of Virgin Australia we looked at the appointment of the voluntary administrators and the impact the appointment would initially have on the company.

We also looked at the role of receivers and external administrators including liquidators, and voluntary administrators, defining the roles that the different types of administrators can play in the restructuring of a company in distress. Our first article can be found here. [...]  READ MORE →

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COVID-19 –What Debt will Scuttle Passage to the New Safe Harbours?

By Ellen Ferris, a Solicitor in Matthews Folbigg’s Insolvency, Restructuring and Debt Recovery Group.

Amendments in March of this year have brought about changes to the Corporations Act 2001 which allow for an additional temporary safe harbour to protect directors from insolvent trading, –  see our blog here.

However, companies do not automatically qualify for the protection. To qualify, the debt must be incurred as follows:

  • In the ordinary course of the company’s business;
  • During the six month period starting from the date the new law commenced (being 24 March 2020); and
  • Before any appointment of an administrator or liquidator.

The evidentiary burden of proof is on the person seeking to rely on the safe harbour relief, which means that it will be up to directors to make sure they obtain and keep evidence that their debt meets the criteria. [...]  READ MORE →

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COVID-19: Will my hearing go ahead? – Part 3

By Andrew Hack, Solicitor, and Stephen Mullette, Principal, of Matthews Folbigg Lawyers, in our Insolvency, Restructuring and Debt Recovery Group.

This is part 3 of our series on what will constitute valid grounds for an adjournment of a pending hearing, due to COVID-19 and the global coronavirus pandemic.

In Talent v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy & Anor (No 5) [2020] ACTSC 64 the Plaintiff sought an adjournment of the trial hearing, arguing that he was an ‘at risk’ person because he suffered from leukaemia. Doctors had recommended that he remain isolated. [...]  READ MORE →

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COVID19 – IP Australia provides relief by way of extensions

We are in an unprecedented times; however, steps are being taken by the Government departments, such as IP Australia, to provide relief to their customers and relieve some of the burden and/or financial strain on applicants.

IP Australia, as of 22 April 2020, will be providing relief to applicants by granting free extensions of time, in respect of most applications and processes.

The extensions of time will provide up to an additional 3 months on any deadline required and the fee for such applications will be waived by IP Australia. IP Australia are even in the process of providing refunds to those who have been impacted by COVID-19 and have lodged extension applications without the fee waiver. [...]  READ MORE →

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COVID-19 and Corporate Insolvency: What does an increase in corporate insolvency mean to creditors?

By Andrew Hack, Solicitor, and Stephen Mullette, Principal, of Matthews Folbigg Lawyers, in our Insolvency, Restructuring and Debt Recovery Group.

In these difficult times, recent legislative amendments provide assistance for debtors, but risk for creditors. Going forward, it will be important for creditors to carefully monitor their credit policies. Creditors are likely see more spikes in default rates over the next months while government restrictions and businesses’ staff isolation plans remain in place. Where a debtor is placed into external administration, they should be aware of their rights (and duties) during the insolvency process. [...]  READ MORE →

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COVID-19 WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU

Wills and Estate Planning in a Time of Uncertainty

As the COVID-19 crisis plays out before us with each day bringing new reasons for anxiety and uncertainty, we understand that there is concern in the community surrounding the implications of the outbreak. People are worried and we are trying to help.

The imponderable concern people have now is ‘how long will it take for the virus to be brought under control’. The immediate concern people have is for the health and safety of their family and themselves. [...]  READ MORE →

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COVID-19 – Financial Assistance for NSW Businesses

COVID-19 – Financial Assistance for NSW Businesses

NSW businesses may be able to access one or more of the financial assistance packages offered by the NSW Government (excluding relief already provided by the Commonwealth) including:

Electricity

In brief, energy businesses servicing NSW are expected to:

  • offer payment plans/hardship arrangements to all residential and small business customers under financial stress
  • not disconnect any customers under financial stress without their agreement before 31 July 2020 (and potentially later)
  • not disconnect any large business customers without their agreement if the customer is on-selling to residential and small business customers
  • delay debt collection until 31 July 2020
  • modify existing payment plans
  • waive fees such as disconnection, reconnection and contract break fees for small business that have ceased operation until at least 31 July 2020
  • prioritise safety of customers who require life support
  • maintain up-to-date communications with customers regarding the above
  • minimise outages

What you can do when you are under financial distress:

  • negotiate with your energy provider to defer payment (without interest if possible)
  • if your electricity or gas has been disconnected, review the reasons for disconnection and discuss the situation with your retailer or a different retailer in light of the above expectations

Land Tax

Commercial and residential landlords in NSW are entitled to a reduction of up to 25% off their 2020 land tax if:

  • the land is used for business or residential purposes
  • the land is currently leased to a residential or business tenant with a turnover under $50 million
  • the residential or business tenant is in financial distress because of COVID-19 and can evidence a 30% drop in revenue for a business tenant or a 25% drop in household income for a residential tenant
  • landlords agree to reduce the rent of the residential or business tenant by (at least) the land tax reduction amount
  • land tax is directly related to the property for which rent has been reduced

Fee and Licence Relief [...]  READ MORE →

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New legislation – witnessing of documents in the COVID-19 climate

New legislation – witnessing of documents in the COVID-19 climate

NSW Government has passed the Electronics Transactions Amendments (COVID-19) Witnessing of Documents Regulation 2020.

This makes it possible – temporarily – to complete important legal matters by means of an audiovisual link as long as specified declarations and certifications and other procedures are strictly followed. The measure applies for a six month period commencing 22 April 2020 unless extended by Parliament.

It remains important that documents are properly signed and witnessed. The consequences of failing to do so can render the documents ineffective and create uncertainty and additional cost. [...]  READ MORE →

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COVID-19: New Amendments Affecting Councils

COVID-19: New Amendments Affecting Councils

On Friday 17 April 2020, the NSW Government made a number of legislative amendments to ensure that Councils can operate effectively in the new environment of COVID-19.

Amendments were made under section 747B of the Local Government Act 1993, which allows the regulations under the act to modify its application for the purposes of responding to the public health emergency caused by COVID-19.  These amendments automatically expire after 6 months, but may be revoked earlier by Parliament.

These amendments have modified the following: [...]  READ MORE →