Thursday, August 6, 2009

Sydney Boat Show

The Shipwright and Boatbuilders Association (SBA) was well represented at this years show. It appeared that the displays were reduced by about 1/3 but this did not stop the herd of interested onlookers from attending. We had many people come through the stand and much interest in restoration of old yachts. The quick and dirty boat building contest was exciting as usual and the day finished with get to gether at the local with drinks and nibbles for all the SBA members and family. I look forward to next years event. Marcel

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Vaarzon-Morel Solicitors assists clients in the marine industry and as part of this commitment they will be attending the Sydney Boat Show on the 1 August 2009. Marcel can be found at the SBA (Ship and Boatbuilders Association) stand 119.

Assistance to the marine industry has been given in a variety of areas including contract law and intellectual property and presently Vaarzon-Morel Solicitors are working on an article in Intellecual property to be published shortly in a Marine Magazine .

MIXING SALT WATER WITH WINE

by Marcel Vaarzon-Morel

IT HAS BEEN ARGUED SALT WATER AND WINE DO NOT MIX!!
The wine industry has grown extensively in the last 30 years with domestic markets expanding to include China, Europe, America and other international destinations resulting in a broadening of Wine Law.
However, the recent downturn in export markets has resulted in an ongoing glut of wine in the Australian market place resulting in an oversupply of wine with the result of some wineries unable to shift their wine or contract prices being forced down with the squeezing of profit margins.


Vaarzon-Morel Solicitors are committed to providing a legal service to meet the requirements of the wine industry and meet its changing needs in the domestic and export markets. The recent market development in wine industry has resulted in the need for legal advice in respect to contract and other legal matters at a domestic level as well as at an export level incorporating the need for Maritime Law expertise
. . .hence the mixing of wine with salt water.


Vaarzon-Morel Solicitors provide a quality legal service to our clients by being client focused, servicing existing legal needs and providing advice in an attempt to avoid future litigation or loss.
LEGAL AREAS OF CONCERN
• Exporting to countries where principles of contract law are not recognised could result in the inability to recoup payments as these countries are not members of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).
• The protection of wine varieties with the signing of Economic Union treaties means that domestic wine producers must be clear on not breaching the treaty requirements.
• Small vineyards and wineries are not insulated from scales of economy as larger corporations control markets and dictate the terms of contracts.
• The oversupply of wine and grape juice has created downward pressure on pricing with broad ramifications to the wine industry as a whole.

EXAMPLES OF FUTURE PROOFING:
• Providing advice regarding contracts for the purchase and sales of grapes.
• Providing advice regarding export of wines in respect to shipping and payment.
• Providing advice regarding geographical indicators
• Providing advice regarding insolvency and recovery
BACKGROUND
Our legal advice has a practical foundation with Marcel Vaarzon-Morel having worked in the wine industry. He helped develop a winery in the Upper Hunter; worked as a wine maker’s assistant; worked during vintage in the Upper and Lower Hunter Valley and worked as a cooper in the Upper and Lower Hunter Valley and Mudgee districts. It is this practical experience that gives Vaarzon-Morel Solicitors an edge when understanding its clients’ needs and being able to apply the law. The application of the law is further enhanced due to Vaarzon-Morel Solicitors covering the legal spectrum from Commercial, Contract, Employment through to Maritime and Wine Law.