“We thought the contract was pretty straightforward.” It’s something we hear regularly from manufacturing businesses. A contract might seem perfectly fine when everything is going smoothly. But when a supplier doesn’t deliver, a customer doesn’t pay, a project changes direction or a business relationship starts to break down, the wording of that contract can suddenly [...]
Businesses sometimes enter long-term contracts without specifying an end date. But does that mean either party can simply bring the arrangement to an end by giving reasonable notice? A recent Queensland Court of Appeal decision shows why businesses should not make that assumption. In Impact Healthcare Pty Ltd v St Vincent’s Private Hospitals Ltd [2026] [...]
For many small supply and manufacturing businesses, securing a contract with a major retailer or distributor is a significant commercial milestone. It can mean volume, credibility and growth. However, it often comes with a non-negotiable “standard form” agreement that shifts disproportionate risk onto the smaller party. Under Australia’s unfair contract terms (UCT) framework, certain terms [...]
During 2026, Rankin Business Lawyers will be presenting a series of articles providing guidance on what to do when preparing a business for sale. To kick off, this month we cover sales readiness and vendor due diligence, and steps that can be taken to build trust before going to market. Sale Readiness and Vendor [...]