Welcome to Stephens Lawyers & Consultants
Stephens Lawyers & Consultants is a specialist boutique commercial law and business consultancy practice, emphasising expertise in intellectual property, competition and consumer law, franchising, media & entertainment and defamation law, e-commerce and technology law, biotechnology and pharmaceutical law, privacy and data protection, and international trade law and dispute resolution and litigation.
Stephens Lawyers is committed to understanding the client’s needs from a practical, commercial as well as legal perspective and delivering strategic and cost effective legal advice. Every client has direct access to a principal of the firm, who understand the complexities of operating a business in today’s commercial environment.
Our Services
Recent News & Updates
OAIC’s Latest Report on Notifiable Data Breaches: Privacy Risk Management Update
Malicious or criminal attacks and human error continue to be the major causes of notifiable data breaches reported to the OAIC during the 6 month period to 30 June 2023 according to the OAIC Notifiable Data Breaches Report – January-June 2023. This Update provides a summary of some key findings and statistics contained in the OAIC’s Report as well as steps which organisations and businesses can take to minimise the risk and harm of privacy data breaches.
ASIC releases Corporate Plan 2023-27 with Key Strategic Priorities and Projects – What does this mean for businesses?
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Australia’s company and financial services market regulator, released its latest Corporate Plan 2023-27. ASIC’s four year plan provides companies and organisations with useful insight into the regulator’s strategic priorities in respect of compliance and enforcement. This update provides an overview of ASIC’s plan.
Damages for Online Defamation – the “Serious Harm” Element
The additional requirement to establish “serious harm” in a defamation action was part of the reforms to Australian defamation law which came into effect on 1 July 2021. They were enacted to encourage defamation claims not involving “serious harm” to be resolved without court action. This update provides a review of recent Australian defamation cases where the courts have considered whether the “serious harm” requirement has been established and provides useful guidance on factors that the court will consider in determining “serious harm”.
Advertising of Health Services – New Advertising Guidelines – Is your advertising compliant?
The new Medical Board/AHPRA “Guidelines For Registered Medical Practitioners who Advertise Cosmetic Surgery” came into effect on 1 July 2023. Health practitioners, individuals, businesses, and companies involved in advertising of health services will be subjected to greater scrutiny by the regulators who will be focusing on advertising and social media used to promote cosmetic surgery.
Strategies for Protecting and Maximizing Value of Intellectual Property in the Digital Market
Maintaining and protecting a business’s trade marks, brand names, designs, patents and copyright material are critical for maximizing the value of the intellectual property and resulting revenue. This update provides an overview of some of the strategies that businesses can consider implementing for the maintenance and protection of their intellectual property rights in the on-line digital market environment and generally.
Changes to Australian Consumer Law introduce high penalties for Use of Unfair Contract Terms – Is your business ready?
Businesses have until 8 November 2023 to review their standard form contracts to ensure they comply with recent changes to the Australian Consumer Law which prohibit unfair contract terms – or risk incurring high financial penalties. This update offers an overview of the changes and provides some guidance on steps that can be implemented to minimise the risk of non-compliance.
Our Advantages
Stephens Lawyers is committed to understanding the client’s needs from a practical, commercial as well as legal perspective and delivering strategic and cost effective legal advice.
Every client has direct access to a principal of the firm, who understand the complexities of operating a business in today’s commercial environment.