• Energy and Utility Regulation
• Competition Law and Regulation
• Financial Services
• Corporate Advisory
• Commercial and Contract Advice
• Franchising
• Property
• Compliance
• Dispute Resolution

Andrews & Holm advises upon the National Electricity Market (NEM) and the application of the National Electricity Rules and National Gas Rules.  We also have provided advice on the short term gas market and the development of unconventional gas regulation in NSW and Queensland.

Catherine Philipp and Paul Holm’s experience includes:

• Providing advice on the energy regulatory regime in Australia, including the National Electricity Law and Rules and the National Gas Rules.
• Advising in relation to price resets for electrify distribution;
• Providing advice on the regulatory and legislative regime governing the usage and extraction of water in the Murray Darling Basin, including the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
• Identifying upcoming legislative and policy developments in relation to electricity, gas, water and environmental markets and assisting with submissions to regulators and policy makers.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating gas supply and transportation agreements, electricity connection agreements, and transmission agreements.
• Advising on electricity transmission and distribution issues.
• Providing advice on the electricity regulatory framework; and drafting proposed amendments to the wholesale electricity trading rules in England & Wales and in NZ.

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Paul Holm worked for various competition regulators before entering private practice and therefore has extensive experience in all aspects of competition law (antitrust) and regulatory advisory and enforcement issues. This allows us to provide practical and strategic legal advice aimed at assisting our clients to achieve their commercial goals, while minimising regulatory risk.

The services we offer include:

• Assisting clients to respond to Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) investigations
• Franchising advice and compliance
• Advising on access to essential facilities and on economic regulatory issues
• Obtaining ACCC clearance for acquisitions
• Authorisation of potentially anti-competitive conduct
• Product liability advices and assistance with product recalls
• Assisting with gaining regulatory approvals

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Andrew Mutton has advised fund managers and other Australian Financial Services licensees (and their predecessors) for nearly 20 years. Andrew has expertise in Australian financial services licensing, funds management, compliance and fundraising. He acts for wholesale and retail fund managers, managed investment and financial service clients including financial advisers, property trusts (listed and unlisted) and agribusinesses.

The services we offer include:

• Australian Financial Services licensing and compliance
• Structuring single and multiple purpose trusts and other fundraising vehicles
• Ongoing advice to fund managers and financial planning businesses
• The acquisition, merger and stapling of funds and funds management businesses

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Paul Holm and Andrew Mutton have acted for businesses for over 25 years. Paul has expertise in contract advice and drafting, with a focus on transactional and distribution arrangements. Andrew has expertise in all types of business transactions, including capital raisings, acquisitions and disposal, joint ventures and contract negotiation. He acts business enterprises across a range of industries, as well as managed investment and financial service clients (listed and unlisted). Andrew has the experience to know what issues are important to business, and what are not.

The services we offer include:

• Prospectus and PDS preparation and review
• Company and business asset sale and purchases
• Company and trust formation and structuring
• Shareholder agreements
• Joint ventures
• Corporate restructures
• Corporate governance
• Contract drafting
• Company secretarial services

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We provide a full range of commercial and contract advices including:

• Drafting contracts
• Conducting legal risk reviews of contracts
• Assisting with negotiations and finalising contracts
• Personal Property Security Act advices
• Company secretarial and compliance services.

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Paul Holm acts for a number of global franchise businesses in Australia. This includes ensuring compliance with the mandatory Franchising Code of Conduct that applies in Australia. Our franchising clients include automotive manufacturers (whose dealerships are deemed to be franchises), housewares and clothing brands. We advise on whether particular distribution and remuneration models may infringe prohibitions in the Competition & Consumer Act against referral and pyramid selling, as well as assisting clients with franchising dispute resolution.

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Andrew Mutton has acted for property fund managers and developers for over 25 years. Andrew has expertise in all types of property transactions, including acquisitions and disposals, leases and joint ventures.

The services we offer include:

• Property sales and purchases
• Leasing
• Miscellaneous property agreements

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Paul Holm has designed and implemented compliance programs for a number of corporate clients. He also is regularly engaged as an independent expert to audit existing compliance programs and advise upon the continuous improvements of such programs.

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Paul Holm and Andrew Mutton have helped business clients resolve regulatory issues and commercial disputes, including employee issues, over the course of their entire careers. We evaluate our client’s rights and liabilities at an early stage and advise on the best dispute resolution options.

Our emphasis is on achieving the client’s desired result in the most cost effective and efficient manner, avoiding lengthy and expensive litigation wherever possible.

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