“We’ve worked together for years. We didn’t think we needed anything in writing.” It’s a familiar story in the construction and trades industry. A builder engages a subcontractor they’ve used for years. A tradie agrees to take on some additional work. A project runs over schedule, costs increase, or a client decides they’re not happy [...]
“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 [...]