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Business Structures in 2007: An eventful year in review — issues for you and your clients to consider
In Farah v Say-Dee, the High Court appeared to assume that fiduciary duties applied to the relationship — despite the parties having agreed that it was a joint venture.
In ASIC v Citigroup, the Victorian Supreme Court confirmed that parties can expressly 'contract out' of fiduciary duties — including in documents such as joint venture agreements.
These cases remind practitioners that they cannot rely on the assumption that fiduciary duties do not apply to joint venturers — even so, express contractual terms can address the issues adequately.
For a more detailed summary of the cases and the differences between partnerships and joint ventures, see our full article here.
Lawyer in Profile
Special Counsel
+61 3 9258 3524
paul.ellis@maddocks.com.au
Qualifications: LLB, Deakin University, BA (Political Science), Monash University
Paul is a Special Counsel in Maddocks Government and Not-for-Profit Commercial team. He specialises in:
- the establishment, governance, operations, regulation and administration of charities and other not-for-profit entities,
- in commercial arrangements for the procurement or supply of goods and services, including technology services, and
- in compliance and enforcement activities undertaken by government agencies.
Paul is Maddocks' main authority in relation to the Personal Property Securities Act 2009.
He has an in-depth understanding of the government sector, as his experience prior to Maddocks includes 13 years with the Victorian Department of Justice.
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