In a landmark decision, the Federal Court of Australia has imposed Ultra Tune Australia Pty Ltd (Ultra Tune), a prominent car servicing franchisor, with a staggering $1.5 million fine for contempt of court, marking the highest penalty ever meted out for such proceedings by the ACCC. Ultra Tune's troubles began in 2019 when it was found guilty of breaching multiple provisions of the Australian Consumer Law and the Franchising Code of Conduct. Despite court orders mandating compliance with...

Business sales often trigger concerns about breaches of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), but proving misconduct requires more than just pointing out misleading statements. A recent Queensland Court of Appeal case sheds light on this issue, illustrating a common scenario where mere allegations of misleading conduct might not suffice for legal relief. Case Overview: In Babstock Pty Ltd v Laurel Star Pty Ltd (No 5) [2024] QCA 3, the Queensland Court of Appeal examined a dispute over the sale...

We are grateful for the trust our clients place in us to handle their franchise business needs. Thank you for sharing your experience! At The Franchise & Business Lawyers, client satisfaction is our top priority. We are proud to have Elizabeth Gore-Jones leading our team, delivering competence, sound advice and a commitment to your best interests. We are also focused on achieving the right outcomes without unnecessary fees. Your success is our success, and we are dedicated to minimising...