In this episode of On Just Terms, Jason Betts and Harry Edwards are joined by Lucinda McCann, Group Executive, ASX Supervision, for a candid conversation on the organisation’s approach to its supervisory and enforcement responsibilities.

Lucinda discusses ASX's shift to risk-based supervision, effective engagement during its inquiries, continuous disclosure obligations, trading halts, and its referrals of matters to ASIC. She also explores the impact of the securities class actions market on its work and how AI may support the ASX’s work.

A practical discussion for those advising or working in Australia’s listed markets.

In this fourth episode of the Employment Espresso Pods mini-series on the Employment Rights Act 2025, Jenny Andrews and Sian McKinley, both Of Counsel, together with Knowledge Counsel Anna Henderson, turn to one of the most significant changes - certainly the most controversial in terms of its progress through parliament - the Unfair Dismissal changes landing on 1 January 2027.

This is the 37th episode of our series of commercial litigation update podcasts, which is a special edition focusing on force majeure. As well as outlining the legal landscape for force majeure under English law, it gives practical guidance on both drafting force majeure clauses and dealing with force majeure scenarios. This episode is hosted by Maura McIntosh, a knowledge counsel in our commercial litigation team, who is joined by Julian Copeman, a disputes partner, and Richard Mendoza, an of counsel in our disputes team. They are also two of the editors of a recently published book on Force Majeure: Force Majeure - An International Comparative Analysis.

Below you can find links to our blog posts on some of the developments and cases covered in this podcast, and previous materials published on force majeure.

• Force majeure: general assertions as to impact of Covid-19 and Brexit not sufficient to defeat summary judgment application
• High Court decision considers force majeure and sanctions issues
• Force majeure: Supreme Court finds no obligation on party seeking to rely on force majeure clause to accept counterparty's offer of non-contractual performance
• Global trade tariffs: Impact on contractual arrangements
• When events intervene: Force majeure, frustration and material adverse change
• 'A board-level issue': the resurgence of force majeure - The Global Legal Post

See podcast episode transcript.

In this episode of Deal Talk, partners Kam Jamshidi and Andrew Bradley explore the opportunities for M&A in the Australian financial services sector.

Sharing insights from their recent experience advising on the sale of Insignia Financial, Andrew and Kam work through the key issues facing dealmakers in this sector, including:

• The themes driving financial services M&A and private equity interest
• How the sector has changed in the years since the Royal Commission
• ASIC's enforcement focus and why regulatory pressure is an opportunity, not just a threat
• The Shield and First Guardian situation and what it means for the broader ecosystem
• Legacy technology stacks and the opportunity for international buyers to add value; and
• The differences in working with APRA and FIRB to get a deal over the line

Important listening for private equity sponsors and strategic acquirers considering the Australian financial services sector.

In this follow-up episode to Part 1: The Star Decision - Lessons for Directors, HSF Kramer Chair and Senior Partner Rebecca Maslen-Stannage and Head Office Advisory Partner Carolyn Pugsley, turn to the broader governance lessons from the Star decision — including Justice Lee's pointed observations on AI in the boardroom, the growing impracticality of modern board papers, and the role of general counsel and company secretaries.

A must-listen for boards and governance professionals navigating the evolving duties landscape in Australia.

HSF Kramer Chair and Senior Partner Rebecca Maslen-Stannage and Head Office Advisory Partner Carolyn Pugsley, unpack the Federal Court's landmark decision and draw out practical takeaways for NEDs in this two-part podcast series.

In this episode, they discuss the facts and basis of ASIC's allegations, as well as the key outcomes and contributing management and board dynamics (drawing contrasts to other seminal directors' duties cases such as the Centro decision).

In episode two, the discussion turns to the broader governance lessons from the Star decision — including Justice Lee's pointed observations on AI in the boardroom, the growing impracticality of modern board papers, and the role of general counsel and company secretaries.

This is a must-listen for NEDS navigating the evolving duties landscape in Australia.

Export controls and sanctions risk are now a day-to-day issue across the Defence ecosystem - from primes and OEMs to technology and dual use innovators, defence infrastructure contractors and defence focused investors - particularly where programs involve US origin technology, third country collaboration or dual use components.

In this special podcast episode, we share a recent client webinar were partners Leon Chung, Peter Jones and Jonathan Cross explore the export controls issues most likely to arise across Defence procurement, contracting, investment and cross border delivery. The discussion includes a targeted US perspective on ITAR and EAR, with practical insights on managing common pressure points in project timelines and global supply chains. The team also briefly touches on FIRB, highlighting where it can intersect with export controls in Defence transactions and programs, and what teams should be alert to at an early stage.

In Episode 2 of Deal Talk, partners Kam Jamshidi and Nicole Pedler explore what the 2025 NBIO market reveals for bidders and targets in Australian public M&A.
HSF Kramer has deeply analysed non binding indicative offers in public deals to extract the key lessons for bidders and targets when formulating their M&A strategy. Drawing on this proprietary data, the episode examines when NBIOs most commonly emerge and what that means for listed companies facing major announcements, leadership changes and other market moving events.

Kam and Nicole work through the 2025 NBIO landscape, covering:

• success rates
• disclosure practices and timing
• engagement periods
• private equity dynamics
• pre bid stakes
• recent Takeovers Panel developments

A practical discussion for boards, management teams and advisers preparing for, advising on or responding to a potential public M&A approach.