Partner
Yukio Hayashi
Yukio was the first Japanese lawyer admitted to practice in Australia in 1979, and he is the founder of H & H Lawyers. Yukio started practicing law at Baker & McKenzie and subsequently moved to Freehill Hollingdale & Page (now Herbert Smith Freehills) working in the commercial team. In 1984, he became a partner at Freehill Hollingdale & Page providing advice in commercial and corporate law for numerous Japanese companies. In 1996, he left Freehills and established Yukio Hayashi & Associates which was the predecessor of H & H Lawyers. Yukio has provided advice to clients in a variety of business transactions, specialising in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, taxation, real estate, preparation of commercial contracts, corporate structuring and management. Over his 40 years of experience, Yukio has acted for public and private companies, government agencies, many successful small to medium businesses and individuals in Australia and Japan.
Experience
Advised on structuring and taxation aspects of investing in Australia for both listed and non-listed Japanese companies.
Advised listed and non-listed Japanese companies on acquisition of major commercial buildings and industrial properties in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, acting for both the purchasers and vendors including negotiating and liaising with the financiers regarding creation of security interests over the properties.
Advised listed and non-listed Japanese companies on acquisitions and sales of major companies and business assets in Australia.
Advised on various finance transactions, acting for both lenders and borrowers, including unsecured syndicated loans, sovereign risk loans and secured loans .
Advised and provided comprehensive reports to Japanese financial institutions and a Japanese Institute of Land regarding the land title system in each of the State and Territories in Australia and the types of securities lenders may take.
Advised on structuring exit strategies to minimise costs for companies wishing to cease operating in Australia, using the Deed of Company Arrangement.
Advised on acquisition of land for the development of a championship golf course, and structuring membership and financing .
Education
Bachelor of Laws, University of New South Wales
Bachelor of Jurisprudence, University of New South Wales
Qualifications
Lawyer, Supreme Court of NSW
Membership
The Law Society of NSW
Japanese Society of Sydney Inc
Japan Club of Sydney
Expertise
Languages
English
/Japanese
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Firm News
17 February 2025
The Japan Times highlights H & H Lawyers for fostering stronger economic ties between Australia and Japan
Thank you The Japan Times for featuring our firm’s role in fostering stronger economic ties between Australia and Japan. This follows recent coverage of our firm in Korea’s Legal Times. With the Australian Government's announcement of the Future Made in Australia economic plan, we believe we are strategically well-positioned to serve as a bridge between Australia and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Legal News
03 November 2021
The new Director Identification Number regime (DIN) commenced on 1 Nov 2021
Applications required for all company directors under new business registry regime. Background The Federal Government is in the process of rolling out the Modernising Business Registers (‘MBR’) program. The MBR will consolidate various ASIC registers and the Australian Business Register, and establish the new Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS).
Employment Contracts, Policies & Procedures, and Award Interpretations
24 June 2020
Casual vs Permanent
On 20 May 2020, the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia handed down its decision in WorkPac Pty Ltd v Rossato. The case centres around labour hire firm WorkPac, which employed Robert Rossato as a mine worker at two Queensland mines owned by Glencore. Mr Rossato was a casual employee, on rolling contracts, over a three-and-a-half-year period.
04 July 2019
Needs for employment contract in writing
Q: Some mid-career employees have been working for 10 years without a formal employment contract. I've had no problem without an employment contract, but should I still have a written employment contract? (Male in his 40s working in the HR department of a Japanese company) A: Employment contracts do not necessarily have to be reduced in writing.
Competition & Consumer Laws
06 June 2019
Consumer law - Return of goods
Q: I bought a pair of jeans, but I couldn't wear them because the zipper broke after wearing it twice. When I asked for a return, the store clerk told me, "The jean was an on-sale item, and we do not accept returns." How can I deal with this matter? A: In Australia, the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) guarantees consumers various rights.