Competition & Consumer Law

Stephens Lawyers & Consultants advises on all aspects of competition and consumer law.

In today’s competitive climate, business cannot afford the costs and reputational damage associated with anti-competitive and misleading or deceptive practices occasioned by failure to comply with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

Stephens Lawyers assists clients in adopting protective measures to minimise the risk of contravention of the competition and consumer laws including:

  • Review of advertising and marketing campaigns and product information and brochures
  • Review of manufacturer’s or supplier’s warranties
  • Review of contracts and terms and conditions for unfair contract terms and compliance with the law.
  • Audits of business practices for compliance with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010
  • Preparation of competition and consumer law compliance manuals
  • Preparation and delivery of training and compliance programs.

Stephens Lawyers also represents clients in competition and consumer law disputes and litigation ranging from claims involving misleading and deceptive conduct, defective products, consumer guarantees and manufacturer’s warranties, unfair contract terms, non-compliance with the Franchising Code of Conduct to anti-competitive conduct.

We also assist clients in responding to requests for information and investigations commenced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (“ACCC”).

Links to Publications

ACCC: Compliance and Enforcement Priorities for 2024/25 – Legal Update

Advertised Delivery Times Matter – Can Your Business Deliver On Time? – Legal Update – 5 March 2024

Australian Consumer Guarantees and Warranties: Is your Business compliant? – Updated January 2024

Marketing and Advertising Law Update – October 2023

Advertising of Health Services – New Advertising Guidelines – Is your advertising compliant? (July 2023)

Changes to Australian Consumer Law introduce high penalties for Use of Unfair Contract Terms – Is your business ready? – Update – April 2023

ACCC: Compliance and Enforcement Priorities for 2023/24 – Legal Update – March 2023

Australian Consumer Guarantees and Warranties: Is Your Business Compliant? – Legal Update – December 2022

ACCC: Compliance and Enforcement Priorities for 2022/23 – Update – March 2022

ACCC Enforcement Proceedings – Unfair Contract Terms; Legal Update – November 2020

Competition Law – Resale Price Maintenance and On-line Market Places – Update – October 2020

Electronic Marketing and the Australian Spam Act 2003 – August 2020

ACCC: Response to COVID-19 Pandemic – Legal Update – April 2020

ACCC: Compliance and Enforcement Priorities for 2020

Consumer Guarantees: Is Your Business Compliant? – Information Sheet – November 2018

Food Labelling and Australian Consumer Law – Information Sheet – October 2018

Non-disparagement clauses in standard form contracts deemed to be unfair contract terms by ACCC – June 2018

ACCC 2017 Compliance and Enforcement Priorities – June 2017