With a history of more than three decades, Hillhouse Legal Partners have consistently been an important provider of legal advice and representation for mining and resources sector business owners and industry personnel.

While some areas of advice are obvious – employment law, insurance, contracts, and resolution of disputes – other areas are less so. A recent example of unusual advice is the mandating of Covid vaccinations and a recent High Court case regarding independent contractors.

The employment landscape is one particular area where in collaboration with their clients’ needs Hillhouse can, and do, offer important knowledge and advice.

The mining and resources industries represent a significant and constantly changing employment and working environment that is made all the more challenging by ongoing changes to industrial relations and employment legislation and the needs of the industry.

Hillhouse Legal Partners’ lawyers maintain a brief on developments in workplace legislation and case law, to ensure appropriate and focused advice to their clients about what can be a highly sensitive, complex and ever-changing area of law.

Employment law specialists at Hillhouse provide up-to-date and relevant legal advice and guidance for clients, employees and employers in the mining and resources sectors including, but not limited to:

• Interpretation and application of the Fair Work Act and Awards and Enterprise Agreements;
• Preparation and/or review of employment contracts, particularly for executive personnel including profit share and share schemes;
• Advice regarding the rights and obligations of employers and employees;
• Advice and drafting of independent contractor agreements and fixed terms agreements;
• Legal advice and recommendations for protection from or defence of claims such as unlawful dismissal claims, general protection claims or discrimination claims;
• Drafting workplace policies and procedures for important workplace matters including equal opportunity; sexual harassment; dismissal; discipline; internet usage and company devices and property and advice regarding employee grievances and claims of workplace bullying.

The Hillhouse approach is one of collaboration. Hillhouse Legal Partners’ aim is to be considered as part of the overall team of their clients. That means as well as understanding their clients’ business, they work in partnership with a client’s financial controllers and HR departments in larger organisations, external advisers such as accountants, HR consultants and other professionals on the client’s team. The result is a seamless, integrated solution for their clients.

Hillhouse offers a full range of legal services for all businesses with the Mining and Resources industry. These services include Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Industrial Relations and Employment, Business Structuring, Finance, Debt and Capital Raising, a full suite of Corporate and Commercial services, Intellectual Property and Technology and Property and Projects.

Thorough and well-informed consideration is required for business structures, business transactions, compliance and contracts. This is due to the volatility of the mining and resources sectors, which may be affected by numerous factors both locally and globally: tax, employment law, environmental law, economic conditions, commodity prices, demand, political considerations, and changes to technology.

Hillhouse Legal Partners are well‑versed in developing appropriate legal business structures, contractual documents and in guiding business owners through options that include consideration of operational requirements. The structure of a business and its commercial terms cannot remove volatility, but a good structure and strong negotiations and contractual documents and advice may be able to minimise some risks and allocate others appropriately between stakeholders.

The services also include an array Private Client Services for individuals within the sector such as Conveyancing, Asset Protection and Estate Planning and Family Law services.

With a long history of supporting the Mining and Resources industry, Hillhouse Legal Partners are a trusted partner of the sector.

To get in contact and make a time to discuss your personal circumstances simply send us an email or call 07 3220 1144.

This article was originally published in the Endeavour Magazine here.