Question: Can I sign documents electronically? 

Short Answer: Yes – but it depends on the document and where you are. 

Key Takeaways:

  • Contracts often have no signature restrictions, but enforcement can be an issue.
  • Some states allow electronic signatures or witnessing on other formal documents.
  • Corporations temporarily have greater flexibility when executing documents.
  • In WA, formal documents must be ink-signed and witnessed in person.

A common question we receive from clients is whether they are required to physically sign documents, or whether they can indicate agreement electronically (e.g. via email). This has been especially common during COVID.

Question: Who is an ‘officer’ of a company? 

Short Answer: Directors & Company Secretaries and sometimes other key personnel 

Key Takeaways:

  • ‘officers’ have onerous duties to their company and its workers
  • Definition of company ‘officer’ expanded
  • May include decision-makers who do NOT hold a formal ‘officer’ position

A recent decision by the High Court of Australia has expanded how the definition of ‘officer’ is to be interpreted.

Marshall Lawyers WA Pty Ltd (MLWA) is looking for a highly motivated junior lawyer to join the Principal Director, Chris Marshall (Chris).

Located on Irwin Street in the Perth CBD, MLWA is a results based ILP practising in corporate and commercial law with a focus on the mining sector.

MLWA distinguishes itself from other boutique firms in that Chris has spent 5 years at a top tier firm and 9 years working in the mining industry. Through this experience Chris has developed a deep understanding of the results clients expect from their external advisors.

Applicants with up to three years post admission experience and a keen eye for detail are invited to apply.

Experience advising on ASX and Corporations Act compliance would be desirable but not a prerequisite.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate commercial awareness and a commitment to excellence.

Applicants to submit their CVs by close of business 15 June 2020.

Salary is negotiable but will be paid according to level of experience.

After nearly a decade of gradual progress, WA is close to implementing new harmonised Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws which will replace existing Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) legislation. 

The WHS Bill 2019 (WA) (WHS Bill) was introduced into WA parliament on 27 November 2019 and is nearing the final stages of implementation, potentially coming into effect early 2021. Its purpose is to address deficiencies in, and unify, the current legislation.

Below we look at the key changes that the WHS Bill will introduce as well as the protection it will offer above and beyond the ‘model’ provisions. Keep in mind these changes have not yet fully passed parliament and are subject to change.

An additional step in standard settlements of property sold by an Australian resident

As of 1 July 2017, Sellers of residential land in Australia need to provide ATO issued clearance certificates for properties sold over $750,000 (even if you are not a foreign resident).

The Sellers must give the Clearance Certificate to the buyer or their conveyancer/settlement agent before settlement.

If for example you sell a house that you own together with your husband/wife/business partner as tenants in common, both you and your partner will need to lodge separate applications for clearance certificates.

Applications for foreign person clearance certificates can be made on-line at: https://www.ato.gov.au/FRWT_Certificate.aspx

This requirement arises out of the ATO Foreign Resident Capital Gains Withholding Regime that attempts to ensure that people, who are deemed foreign residents, and sell property are paying their capital gains tax obligations prior to the proceeds from the sale being moved off-shore.

Note 1. So there are no issues/delay to settlement, check and ensure your name shown on the Clearance Certificate(s) matches your name as it is shown on the certificate of title.

Note. 2. If the Clearance Certificate(s) is not received before settlement, the buyer will notify their conveyancer / settlement agent that a Clearance Certificate was not received, the Buyer at settlement must withhold 12.5% of the purchase price, and the Buyer must pay the 12.5% of the purchase price to the ATO.

Please call Chris Marshall if you would like to discuss further.

Key Takeaways

  • Broad changes to ASX listing rules are effective 1 December 2019;
  • Newly listed companies face tighter restrictions for 24 months prior to listing; and
  • Cash payments now prohibited for some transactions.

Major changes to the ASX listing rules came into force in late 2019. These updates cover a wide range of areas and make it essential to have effective financial and legal advice.

Joint venture farm-in agreements can be a useful way for mining companies (and in particular junior miners) to get exposure to, prove up and ultimately develop what may be considered non-core assets or low priority exploration projects of larger mining companies.

The basic foundation for the agreement is the conditional grant of an ownership interest in the principal mining company’s project, subject to the farm-in party meeting certain expenditure commitments over an agreed period of time (effectively a way for the principal mining company to transfer the obligation to keep the tenements in good standing to the farm in party, whilst at the same time maintaining an interest in the project and exposure to any exploration successes).

As with any joint venture agreement, careful consideration of all possible outcomes (the “what ifs?”) is required during the negotiation phase, whether on the side of the farm-in/earn-in party or the principal mining company (e.g. the owner of the project/asset the farm-in party is seeking to “farm-in” to).

When negotiating/entering into a contractual agreement with a farm-in party, principal mining companies can be promised the world but the reality can be much different - particularly in a cyclical industry like mining where raising capital can have many challenges.

Depending on the nature of the asset or project, farm-in parties keen to get their foot in the door and build their portfolio of assets, may offer attractive deposits and minimum expenditure commitments (e.g. $4m over 4 years, with no less than $500,000 in any particular year).

But what happens if the farm in party fails to meet its expenditure commitments as promised, loses interest in the project or shifts its focus to other projects, and the principal mining company is left ‘holding the baby’ with tenements now under threat of relinquishment due to failure to meet expenditure commitments?

There are various contractual protections available for principal mining companies who farm-out assets which can be incorporated into joint venture and farm-in agreements. Whilst on the other side of the fence, the agreement needs to be carefully crafted to allow sufficient flexibility for the farm-in party who may be grappling with financing risk/uncertainties around financing.

Of importance is the ability for the principal mining company to terminate the joint venture farm-in agreement in the event of breach and ideally retain ownership of any mining information that is available/has been produced (e.g. the data/results of any geological surveys and the like).

If a principal mining company has been let down by a farm-in party and is unable to easily terminate the agreement pursuant to the contract, the mining company would be at risk of tenement forfeiture and denied the ability to seek out offers from other potential joint venture farm-in partners.

From the perspective of the farm in party – overly rigid agreements can create issues and there needs to be appropriate flexibility. For example, any over expenditure in previous years of the farm-in period could be considered in/put towards years where the earn-in party has underspent.

Marshall Lawyers WA is experienced in negotiating and drafting joint venture farm in agreements (whether acting for the principal mining company or the farm-in party).

Please call Chris Marshall if you would like to discuss further.

DISCLAIMER: the above material is only general in nature and not intended to be specific to the reader’s circumstances. As laws change frequently, all readers are advised to undertake their own research or seek professional advice before relying on the information provided.

Let’s talk about how Marshall Lawyers can help you.