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The 2021 edition of Duties and Liabilities of Directors of Australian Companies from Baker McKenzie is a timely guide for directors of Australian companies, setting out pivotal issues for directors to consider in the current evolving corporate governance environment.

Matters covered in the guide include common law and statutory duties, delegation, financial reporting, continuous disclosure, financial assistance, directors’ insurance and indemnities and other topical issues including climate change, whistleblower protections and anti-bribery and corruption.

Being a trusted adviser to many of the top companies in Australia, Baker McKenzie is recognised for its extensive experience advising directors of Australian companies. We hope that this guide provides you with a broad overview of the duties of directors of Australian companies. It is not intended, however, to be an exhaustive analysis of all relevant legal requirements. If you would like any further details or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Author

Richard Lustig — a partner in the Firm’s Melbourne office — is the Australian head of mergers and acquisitions and has 30 years experience in acting for bidders and targets. Richard focuses on public mergers and acquisitions including takeovers and schemes of arrangements, as well as initial public offerings and capital raisings. Richard is recognized as a leading recommended lawyer by Chambers Global, APL500, Chambers Asia Pacific, Best Lawyers in Australia, Doyles and IFLR. Chambers Global recognizes Richard's prominence in takeover transactions and those conducted by schemes of arrangement.

Author

Kate is a partner in Baker McKenzie’s Sydney Office.
Kate is also Co-Head of the Firm's Australian Healthcare & Life Sciences Group and a member of the Firm's Asia Pacific Mergers & Acquisition Steering Committee.
Kate has over 20 years' experience as an M&A and ECM lawyer, advising clients on complex, high profile and cross border mergers and acquisitions and capital market transactions.
Kate is recognised by Legal 500 as a Leading Individual in Corporate and M&A, who 'comes in for praise' and is ‘commercial and attentive'. Kate is also recognised by Best Lawyers in Corporate Law, and was a finalist for Corporate Partner of the Year - Australian Law Awards in 2021 and Dealmaker of the Year - Australian Women in Law Awards in 2021 and 2022.

Author

Lewis Apostolou is a corporate and securities partner and head of the Australia Funds Transactions Group. He helps clients undertake domestic and cross-border capital markets and M&A transactions. Lewis has been ranked as a leading lawyer for investment funds in Chambers Asia Pacific since 2012.

Author

Simon De Young, a partner in Baker & McKenzie’s Melbourne office, has extensive experience in private equity, public and private treaty M&A and equity capital markets transactions. He is a member of the Firm's Global Health, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology team, and has practiced in Australia and the United Kingdom.