Laura Hartley

The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) — represented TCCC in both the M&A and merger clearance aspects of a variety of transactions in Australia including in 2021 sale of its 45% interest, together with its bottler, Coca-Cola Amatil, in the Made Group of Companies (owners of the Cocobella, Rokeby Farms and Impressed Juice brands) and its 2018 acquisition of that same investment.

The a2 Milk Company — from 2010 to date, provided daily advertising and marketing clearance advice to The a2 Milk Company on its global and Australian advertising and marketing campaigns, and advising this client on food regulatory issues. In 2016 – 2017, representing The a2 Milk Company in its Federal Court challenge to certain advertising of Lion Dairy & Drinks.

Bega Cheese Limited — obtained merger clearance from the ACCC on all its transactions including: • in 2020, in relation to its $534m acquisition of Lion Dairy & Drinks, owners of the Dairy Farmers, Yoplait, Big M, Masters and Dare and Farmers Union iced coffee brands; • in 2018, in relation to its $250m acquisition of Saputo’s Koroit processing facility; • in 2017, in relation to its $460m acquisition of various assets from Mondelez Australia including the Vegemite and Kraft peanut butter brands.

Bega Cheese Limited — represented Bega Cheese in 2017 in responding to a compulsory notice issued by the ACCC as part of the Federal Government’s then inquiry into the dairy industry in Australia. Advised Bega Cheese since then on its milk supply agreements and milk procurement practices to ensure compliance with the Dairy Code.

Cotton Seed Distributors — in 2023, advised CSD and negotiated an enforceable undertaking between CSD and the ACCC in relation to CSD’s agency agreements given the ACCC’s view that these may have the effect of substantially lessening competition in relevant markets.

Dairy Farmers Milk Co-operative — in 2022, advised DFMC in relation to the re-authorisation of their back-to-back milk purchasing policies and pricing arrangements with DFMC farmer members and Bega, which involved liaising with and lodging a detailed submission with the ACCC’s Competitions Exemptions team. This led to a favourable outcome being achieved for DFMC, with the ACCC agreeing to grant a further authorisation of these arrangements for 10 years.

Australian Association of National Advertisers — in 2022, undertook a comprehensive review of the procedures and processes of the competitor vs competitor alternative dispute resolution of the AANA’s AdStandards Industry Jury.

Decathlon — in 2019, represented Decathlon in relation to a section 155 notice issued to it by the ACCC, the subsequent ACCC investigation and then proceedings which were commenced by the ACCC against Decathlon arising out of breaches of various mandatory safety standards.

KU Children’s Services — in 2023, advising KU Children’s Services on a compulsory notice issued to it by the ACCC as part of its pricing inquiry into childcare costs.

Reebok Australia — acted as a Compliance Auditor to undertake an annual review of an Australian Consumer Law Compliance Program of Reebok Australia which was ordered to be implemented by the Federal Court of Australia arising out of proceedings brought against it by the ACCC for false and misleading advertising. Reebok Australia was motivated to retain Laura knowing she had significant knowledge of consumer law issues and was an approved auditor from the ACCC’s point of view.

Subway Systems Australia — from 2016 to date advised Subway Systems on various of its advertising and marketing campaigns.

Water Filters Australia — in 2022, advised WFA on various voluntary product recalls it implemented as a result of the introduction of various mandatory standards on button batteries.

Cartel Conduct and Resale Price Maintenance Audit for key client — from 2016 to date, conducting comprehensive and in-depth cartel conduct and resale price maintenance audits for a key client of the firm as part of the client’s compliance initiatives and in order to assist the client in determining the level of competition law risk exposure within their sales team.

Competition and Consumer Law Compliance programs — designing, developing and then providing training to many different clients in many different industries on Competition and Consumer law.

Exclusive Dealing Review for FMCG client — completed an in-depth competition law review in each of 2022, 2021 and 2020 for a key client in relation to an exclusivity restraint and its rollover in a core commercial supply agreement with a retailer. This involved an assessment of the purpose and effect of the restraint on competition in various FMCG markets which amongst other things required an analysis of market scan data and consumer behaviour data.

Unfair contract terms redrafts — from 2016 to date, reviewed multiple sets of terms and conditions of clients from a wide variety of industries for compliance with the unfair contracts terms provisions of the Australian Consumer Law.