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Our Services

 

Debt Recovery

 

Are you an independent school trying to balance and reconcile the recovery of your debts with your faith ethos? Or perhaps you are an aged care provider dealing with financial guardians who are no longer paying for a respective resident?

You work hard for your money, so don’t just write it off. At Van Rooyen Law, no matter the size of the debt you are owed, we strongly believe to always “give it a go” and to do so in a way that keeps your interests intact.

Insolvency & Enforcement Services

 

You’ve obtained a judgment against the debtor, either individual or company, now what? There are plenty of options to enforce your judgment but not all enforcement options will yield the best results.

We will guide you through the process with your best interest being the focus.

Litigation, Dispute Resolution & Negotiations

 

Litigation can be expensive, time consuming and exhausting. It doesn’t need to be. Book a consultation with us to discuss how to resolve your dispute efficiently and cost effectively.

Business & Commercial

 

Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure that you are being best served. For concise and clear advice to better and protect your business, call us for a free initial consultation.

Employment

 

When have you last reviewed your employment contracts, independent contractor agreements and internal policies and procedures? These documents are key in the protection of your interests as a business and in your relationship with your employees and/or contractors.

We provide fixed fee reviews, contracts and policies/procedures so that you can know your interests are protected without the burden of preparing all the documentation.

Wills & Enduring Powers of Attorney

 

Do you have a Will and/or an Enduring Power of Attorney? Have you considered what would happen when you become ill, lose capacity or die? These questions can often be uncomfortable however they are incredibly important.

Usually, it is the ones who are left behind who suffer most when no plans have been put in place to deal with your assets, liabilities and sentimental goods. Let us help you consider what you want and to work through these difficult questions with ease and comfort.

Why Choose

 

Van Rooyen Law?

We invest in you, our client. We simplify complex legal matters so that you are empowered to make the best interest decisions for you and your business.

Character & Integrity

At Van Rooyen Law, we take great pride in representing our clients to the highest ethical standards and in dealing with our clients with character, integrity and transparency.

Client Focused

We deliver on communication and services. Calls are responded to within 24 hours and we give you balanced advice based on what it is that you want to achieve.

Clear & Concise Knowledge

We simplify complex legal issues and deliver concise legal advice to you so that you are empowered to make informed decisions in your best interest now and in the future.

No Fuss Billing

For the majority of our services, we provide clear fixed fee pricing. What that means is that we take away ‘bill shock’. You can engage us with complete ease knowing what you are getting and at what cost. In the event that we are unable to provide fixed fee services, for example defended litigation, we provide clear estimates in advance of any work done.

What's New

 

Blogs

If there is a topic that you would like us to cover or a question, please let us know. Your suggestion could be covered in the next blog! Please send us an email to info@vanrooyenlaw.com.au with the subject heading “Blog This!”.

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Terms & Conditions: Did You Download Your T&C’s From The Internet?

We get it! Your focus is on running your business, so who has time to go draft terms and conditions when you are already time-poor? After all, you can just download them from the internet. Right? Well, yes, you can. However, is it worth it? Your terms and conditions set out the terms and conditions on which you are being engaged by your customers/users. This is a legally binding document that defines your relationship with your customers and users. That is why it is imperative that your T&Cs serve you and your business while protecting your best interests. Below is a case study of where inaccurate, internet-downloaded T&Cs, can run awry: “Company A is engaged by Company B to provide services as an independent contractor. Company A performs the works as agreed; however, Company B refuses to pay what is due and owing. Unfortunately, there was no written independent contractor’s agreement in place to manage the dispute. Accordingly, with a partly written and partly oral agreement in place, we looked at Company A’s terms and conditions. The T&Cs were never provided during the quotation process; however, they were on Company A’s website. Here is where the rubber hits the road. Company A is based in Queensland. Company B is based in Western Australia. The works were conducted, and the debt arose in New South Wales. However, unbeknownst to Company A, the internet-downloaded T&Cs on their website state clearly that any and all disputes must be litigated in the State of Victoria.” As you can see by the above scenario, this is a costly and complicated dispute for Company A because, irrespective of the argument for appropriate jurisdiction, Company A would likely not be successful in keeping the matter in Queensland if an application for change of jurisdiction is brought by the other party. Further, this hinders any discussions in settlement negotiations because Company B is in a position where they know that any litigation would be very costly for Company A, and they will use it to their advantage. A further consideration is that if you are a business that creates unique designs, technologies, systems, or products, you need to ensure that your intellectual proprietary rights with respect to those products are clearly articulated. In summary, having well-written T&Cs is essential for a business as it sets out the legal relationship between the business and the customer, protects the business from legal disputes, helps establish intellectual property rights, complies with legal requirements, and provides evidence in legal disputes. Here at Van Rooyen Law, we offer the service of checking your terms and conditions for you, saving you time, and then advising you whether your existing T&Cs provide the proper protection for your business needs. If you do not have existing terms and conditions, it is better to be late in getting them than to not have them at all. So call us for a fixed fee proposal, and we will do all the work for you. *For the purpose of the above case study, we have not discussed whether or not having the T&Cs on the website alone was sufficient, and that is a separate consideration that must be taken into account. *

Independent Contractor Agreements: Remember To Check The Fine Print!

If you are engaging an independent contractor or you are an independent contractor yourself, your relationship should be formalised into an agreement. Remember, contracts become crucial not when the relationship is going well but when it breaks down. Here is a line of questions to ask yourself:
  1. Does the contract reflect an independent contractor relationship, or does it appear to be an employee/employer relationship? Be careful of sham contracting!
  2. Does the contract protect my intellectual proprietary rights?
  3. What does the contract say about jurisdiction in the event of a dispute?
  4. What are my payment terms?
  5. If I don’t get paid, can I charge interest? What about my legal fees or mercantile fees if I have to proceed with debt recovery against the other party?
  6. Is there a personal guarantee?
These questions give you an idea of what to look for. Below is a case study of a scenario of what can happen if you don’t have an independent contractor’s agreement in place and a dispute arises: “Company A engaged an independent contractor (the Contractor) to conduct videography and photography services to promote Company A. There was no independent contractor’s agreement in place. The terms of the agreement were agreed to orally and over emails and text messages.  Much to the surprise of the Contractor, Company A used their own photographer on the shoot to take additional footage using the lighting, setup, and design of the Contractor. Further, employees of the Company posted videos and photographs of the Contractors’ equipment, configuration, and products on their social media accounts. Unfortunately for the Contractor, because there was no agreement in place, they had no recourse to protect their intellectual proprietary rights, they could not compel the Company to discard the footage taken or its employees from removing the footage from social media, and the Contractor lost out on payment for additional footage they otherwise may have been entitled to.” Without an independent contractor agreement, there may be ambiguity or uncertainty regarding the nature of the working relationship, the scope of work, payment terms, and other vital details. This could lead to disputes or legal issues down the line. It is complicated to argue a binding legal obligation when it is not agreed to in writing, not impossible, but difficult and time consuming. In addition, Queensland has specific laws and regulations that apply to independent contractors, such as the Fair Work Act, Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act, and the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act. An independent contractor agreement can help ensure that businesses are compliant with these laws and regulations. Overall, while not a legal requirement, having an independent contractor agreement in Queensland is highly recommended for businesses engaging the services of independent contractors as it provides clarity on the working relationship, protects the business from liability, helps protect the business’s intellectual property, ensures compliance with laws and regulations, and provides a framework for dispute resolution.  The same benefits are extended to the Contractor in protecting the Contractor's interests. Here at Van Rooyen Law, we offer the service of checking the terms of your agreements, saving you time, and then advising you whether your existing agreements provide the proper protection for your business needs. If you do not have existing agreement, it is better to be late in getting them than to not have them at all. So call us for a fixed fee proposal, and we will do all the work for you.

Independent Contractor Agreements: Watch Out For Sham Contracting!

As more and more employees seek autonomy and flexibility in their working conditions, there is a move away from the traditional employee/employer relationship and a sharp increase in the use of independent contractor agreements in various industries. Of course, there are pros and cons to the self-employment model; however, whether or not it is suitable for you and your business is not only an important consideration but could be a crucial consideration for the health and longevity of your business. Suppose you’ve made an employment offer to an individual, but they request to be hired as an independent contractor instead; however, they insist that they will still perform their duties as contained in your letter of offer. In that case, this should trigger an immediate red flag for you as an employer. In essence, if you hire someone as an independent contractor yet they perform as an employee, it doesn’t matter what the written contract says. In effect, that written contract could be a ‘sham contract’. It may be deemed as the employer trying to shirk its responsibilities to the employee concerning their entitlements and can carry heavy penalties. Think of the adage, “if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it may be a duck”, even if you try and call it a pigeon. So if it looks a like an employee, walks like an employee, and talks like an employee, irrespective of whether you’ve called it an independent contractor, it is still an employee. Independent contractors do not obtain the same benefits and entitlements as an employee under workplace laws with respect to superannuation, workers’ compensation, leave entitlements, and other employment benefits. The significant risk here is to the employer, which could ruin its business. Below is an example: “Company A enters into an independent contractor’s agreement with John Smith for a 4-year period. During the 4 years, John Smith attends to his work how, where, and when Company A tells him to. Further, John Smith attends networking events as a representative of Company A and is paid a commission on successful sales through that representation. John Smith is not permitted to delegate his work, and Company A provides him with all the tools and equipment necessary to perform his duties. Because John Smith is an independent contractor, Company A pays him only the amounts agreed to in his contract, excluding employee entitlement such as superannuation. After 4 years, the engagement ends, and a friend of John Smith tells him that it appears that John Smith was actually an employee all this time. John Smith makes a complaint to Fair Work, stating he thinks he is an employee. On examination, it is determined that Company A and John Smith were actually in an employee and employer relationship because Company A had all the control, John Smith served Company A in its business, John Smith was remunerated by way of time worked and commission, was unable to delegate his work, was supplied with all the tools and equipment necessary and Company A carried all the risk. As a result, Company A had to pay John Smith his entitlements as an employee (including superannuation) over the last 4 years, plus the deficit in earnings he would have received under the applicable award and a penalty”. The moral of the case study is, before you enter into an independent contractor’s agreement, make sure that it is not, in fact, an employee/employer relationship and contact us for assistance if you are unsure. Remember, contracts are in place for when everything goes wrong, not when it is going right.

Independent Contractor Agreements: Watch Out For Sham Contracting!

Suppose you’ve made an employment offer...

FAQ

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do debts get old and expire after a while? How long until a debt gets written off?

In Queensland, you have 6 years from the date the debt arose to issue court proceedings to recover the money due and owing to you. Part payments and acknowledgement of the debt can affect when the 6 years of limitation starts or, in circumstances, restarts.

My new employee asked me to hire them as an independent contractor instead of an employee. Should I be concerned?

Your employee is potentially asking you to enter into a “sham” contract and, if you are found to have entered into sham contracting agreements by The Fair Work Ombudsman, you are at risk of being penalised. To that end, if have independent contractors on your books, it is in your interest to review those agreements and we can help you with that.

I’ve been served with a “Claim” for a debt. What do I now? What if I ignore it?

In Queensland, you have 28 days from the date you were served with the court documents in which to either pay the whole claimed amount or to file a Notice of Intention to Defend and Defence. If you choose to ignore it, the party who sued you is able to obtain “Default Judgement” against you, which will include not only the debt claimed, but also their legal fees (at scale) and interest.

My business is owed money by a debtor what can I do?

There are a number of debt recovery option available to you and how you wish to proceed depends largely on how large the debt is and whether the debt is disputed. At Van Rooyen Law, we offer fixed fee debt recovery services and we firmly believe that you should always give it a go before you write it off. You’ve worked hard for your money, don’t just let it go.

Do I need an Enduring Power of Attorney?

We highly recommend that you not only have a legally binding Will in place but also an Enduring Power of Attorney. This legal document gives you the control to appoint individuals to act in your interest and on your behalf in the event, for example, where you have lost legal capacity. They can act for you with respect to your finance and/or your medical needs.

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