Baybridge

27/05/2026

We are proud to share that Baybridge Lawyers has again been recognised amongst Australia’s Best Law Firms in the 2027 Edition of Best Lawyers Australia.

Recognised as Tier 1 in Franchise Law, this achievement reflects the dedication, expertise and continued commitment of our team in delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients.

19/05/2026

2026-27 Federal Budget and what it means for you and your investment portfolio. Tuesday’s 2026–27 Federal Budget introduced major proposed reforms to Australia’s property investment tax system, particularly targeting negative gearing and Capital Gains Tax (CGT). The changes are purportedly aimed at improving housing affordability and redirecting investor demand toward new housing supply.

Negative gearing changes
From 1 July 2027:
· Negative gearing for residential property will generally be limited to new builds only.
· Investors purchasing existing residential properties after Budget night (12 May 2026) will no longer be able to offset rental losses against salary or other personal income.
· Instead, those losses will be “quarantined” and carried forward to offset future rental income or capital gains from property investments.
· Existing properties owned before Budget night are effectively grandfathered, meaning current arrangements remain unchanged for those assets.

CGT changes
From 1 July 2027:
· The current 50% CGT discount for assets held longer than 12 months will be replaced with an inflation-indexed cost base model.
· Investors will only be taxed on the “real” capital gain after inflation is taken into account.
· A new minimum 30% tax on capital gains will apply.
· Investors in newly constructed housing will reportedly be able to choose between the current 50% discount system and the new indexation method.
· The proposed changes to CGT will have a much wider impact than merely on real estate, they will also capture all gains in business ownership, shares and investment funds, to name just a few.

Broader effect
The Government says the reforms are designed to:
· reduce speculative investment in existing homes;
· improve access for first-home buyers;
· encourage and re-direct investment into the supply of new housing.

Conversely the measures could have the following impact:
· reduce investor activity;
· place upward pressure on rents in some markets;
· potentially reduce housing supply over time.

Overall, the budget creates a divide in outcomes between wage earners, first home buyers and the manufacturing sector who appear (at least based on budget paper forecasts) to have benefitted the most while existing property investors and those on higher incomes who have relied on the CGT discount as well as those who operate a discretionary trust will likely feel the greatest tax impact from these new measures.

For assistance and guidance on how these changes may affect your property and/or share portfolios, contact us at Baybridge.

https://baybridge.com.au/

07/05/2026

BAYBRIDGE IN BEIJING - Auto China 2026
It was a great privilege and pleasure for Baybridge to be present in Beijing in late April for ‘Auto China 2026’, the world’s largest auto show.

‘Auto China 2026’ was appropriately titled the “Future of Intelligence”, and featured over 1450 vehicles, 181 world premieres, and 71 concept vehicles, across 380,000 square metres.

As a law firm with dedicated expertise in supporting OEMs and distributors of automotive brands in Australia, it was inspiring for us to witness first-hand such phenomenal innovation, and to do so amongst automotive industry colleagues, valued clients and new market entrants.

Baybridge looks forward to continuing to support the Automotive Industry in this exciting new era and in guiding new brands to establish their presence in the Australian market and achieve their commercial goals.

01/05/2026

Sydney Build Expo 2026 is where the future of construction and development is being shaped and where we work alongside the people driving it.

At Baybridge, we partner with developers, builders and investors across the full lifecycle of a project, from structuring and acquisition through to delivery and risk management.

Being at the Expo isn’t just about attending, it’s about staying close to the conversations, challenges and opportunities our clients are navigating every day.

Because in a fast-moving market, the right legal strategy doesn’t just support a project, it helps move it forward with clarity and confidence.

🎥 Highlights from the expo.

16/04/2026

We’re proud to celebrate Racha Abboud on being recognised in Best Lawyers Australia 2027 for Franchise Law.

This recognition reflects Racha’s expertise, dedication, and the trust she continues to build with clients and peers across the industry.

A well deserved achievement and one that highlights the strength of our Commercial team at Baybridge.

Congratulations, Racha 👏

31/03/2026

Information Integrity | The Hidden Commercial Risk in 2026

Read the full article here: https://baybridge.com.au/information-integrity-the-hidden-commercial-risk-in-2026/

In a year of headline‑grabbing regulatory change, one risk is quietly reshaping commercial negotiations across every sector: information integrity.

This isn’t a legal drafting issue. It’s the reliability of the operational data that contracts now depend on, system outputs, usage metrics, performance indicators and reporting inputs that drive pricing, obligations, rights and compliance. When that information is inconsistent or unverified, businesses lose leverage, disputes emerge, and value erodes long before a contract is tested.

In 2026, contracts rely on data more than ever, particularly in high‑value mergers and acquisitions, where data reliability has become a decisive negotiation lever.

When information integrity is weak, the risks are predictable:
· pricing distortion from inaccurate or shifting internal numbers
· disputes driven by system outputs that don’t withstand scrutiny
· vendor dependency exposure where critical data sits with third‑party platforms
· increasing compliance pressure as self‑reported datasets are challenged

This is not just a legal issue. It’s a commercial one. It affects negotiation confidence, deal timelines and stakeholder alignment.

Boards and executives should be asking: “Is our operational data strong enough to support the commitments we are negotiating?”

Leading organisations are already adapting. They are aligning legal, finance and operations around the information used in negotiations, resolving inconsistencies early, embedding verification into contract lifecycles and ensuring agreements reflect how the business actually operates. The result: stronger bargaining positions, fewer disputes and faster negotiations.

Across our work, we see the same pattern: businesses don’t lose leverage because of the contract, they lose it because of the information behind it.

Information integrity is no longer technical housekeeping. It’s a strategic advantage.

We’re increasingly seeing information integrity issues shape negotiation outcomes well before contracts are tested, particularly where operational data has quietly become a commercial lever.

How are others thinking about information integrity as a strategic, not just legal or systems, risk?

26/03/2026

We’re pleased to share that Business Franchise Magazine ANZ has featured Baybridge following the appointment of Sam Manikis as Special Counsel.

This appointment reflects our continued growth in the property and commercial space, strengthening the expertise we bring to our clients.

Read the full article:
🔗 https://www.businessfranchiseaustralia.com.au/latest-news/baybridge-expands-its-property-leadership-with-the-appointment-of-sam-manikis-as-special-counsel/

Congratulations to Sam, Welcome to the Baybridge team.

Baybridge Lawyers has announced the appointment of Sam Manikis as Special Counsel, further strengthening the firm’s growing property and commercial practice.

24/03/2026

AML/CTF changes are coming to real estate

From July 2026, new compliance rules will impact how agents operate from customer checks to reporting obligations.

In Episode 13, Scott Thomson & Melina Agostino break down what you need to know and how to prepare.

🎧 Listen now: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0fUQxkXPh07fTb05psEmao?si=0MaISwhjQyuXZP5fWOeufA

10/03/2026

The Baybridge Panel Discussion at Profit Symposium 2026.
We’ll be hosting a panel conversation with industry leaders discussing the future of real estate performance.

Hosted by:
Marwan Kojok and Tanya Delkou from Baybridge.

Guest panelists:
Brent May Di Jones, Will Gosse – BresicWhitney, David Highland – Highland Group

📍 26 March 2026
📍 The Collider, Sydney

Secure your seat: https://www.profitsymposium.com.au/events/profit-symposium-2026-1

REAP Dashboard

07/03/2026

Today, we celebrate the incredible women of Baybridge and the impact they make every day.

Their leadership, dedication, and expertise help shape our workplace, support our clients, and strengthen our community.

On International Women’s Day, we recognise and appreciate the women who lead, inspire, and contribute to our continued success.

Together, we rise.