When one considers the amount of money exchanging hands when purchasing rural property in Australia, it seems astounding how little time and money is spent on engaging lawyers to undertake proper due diligence for the purchase. This session explores what proper due diligence for rural property and businesses means, the role lawyers should play to assist their clients enter into these transactions with their eyes wide open and how to upsell your services to clients in this area. It covers:

• What is meant by proper due diligence in the context of rural property and farming businesses
• What inquiries should be made (and how) to identify rights and interests attaching to and potential restrictions regarding the intended use of the land including water rights and licenses, permanence obligations under the Act, contamination issues, zoning issues, and easements
• How to properly interpret documentation obtained during due diligence and knowing when information or documents are needed
• Understanding the nature of legal and equitable rights and interests that may impact on the enjoyment or use of the land, including carbon rights