A leading Hunter based corporate and commercial lawyer’s expertise is being used to deliver training nationally in the area of contracts, director liability and regulatory compliance.

Suzie Leask, Associate Director at Australian Business Lawyers and Advisors, is delivering the training in Sydney, Newcastle and Brisbane in March and April.

The Business contracts: What you need to know workshop will be held in Newcastle on March 5.

Suzie said business contracts are one of the most important documents a business has yet many businesses neglect to review and update them to meet changing business needs and compliance requirements.

“Sound commercial contracts are vital to ensure your customers pay as well as to limit your liability and risk to the maximum extent permitted by law,” she said.

“If your commercial contracts are not up to date then they may not be enforceable or may bring adverse attention from your regulators.

“In 2019 the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) was highly active in prosecuting anti-competitive arrangements, breaches of unfair contract laws, and taking legal action to protect consumers for breaches of Australian consumer law.”

Suzie will also deliver a masterclass in Newcastle on April 2 to help company directors to be more effective, protected and prepared.

She said there is more legislative reform for business owners, directors and boards to be across than ever before. These include revised ASX corporate governance principles and new safe harbour laws. Penalties for corporate misconduct have been increased.

“With the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) publicly announcing its new ‘Why not litigate?’ approach fresh off the back of the Royal Commission into Banking and Finance, I expect this to be the regulator to watch in 2020.”

“Directors who do not have Deeds of Indemnity in place are putting themselves at greater risk by assuming their Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance is enough.

“They also need the added protection and right of access to insurance and records that a contractual indemnity from the company provides, especially when they are no longer a director.”

Suzie heads ABLA’s Newcastle and Hunter commercial and corporate law office. In 2019 she was named the Private Practice Lawyer of The Year at the NSW Women Lawyers Achievement Awards.

Her membership of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Governance Institute of Australia and The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators breadth of experience and commercial acumen means her training sessions and legal advice are highly sought after across NSW and other states.

Suzie advises in the areas of business transactions, corporate structure, commercial contracts, IT and intellectual property, regulatory compliance and commercial property law.

IMAGE | Suzie Leask of Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors to host masterclass workshops in Newcastle