Blog
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Manager Fired for Boozy Lunch!
03 AUGUST 2023 , COMMERCIAL & BUSINESS LAW , LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTIONIn a recent case, a manager of an engineering and construction company and his team were finishing a major project. The manager suggested to the company’s CEO that he take the team out for lunch to celebrate. The CEO agreed to the lunch but specified a no-alcohol policy due to company rules and the dangers involved with driving company cars back to the factory. Nevertheless, some employees consumed alcohol, including the manager himself. Read more
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Family Violence Will Affect Property Settlements!
20 FEBRUARY 2023 In a recent case, a couple had been married for nearly 15 years. They separated due to a variety of issues. There had been different forms of abuse during the relationship. Read more
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Employee Struck by Bull!
24 JANUARY 2023 , LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTION , COMMERCIAL & BUSINESS LAWMost businesses in NSW are required by law to obtain workers compensation insurance to protect themselves from the costs of workers compensation claims. Workers' compensation insurance covers employees who have been hurt at work. Workers' compensation covers weekly wages, medical and hospital expenditures, as well as several other benefits to assist injured workers in recovering and returning to work. Read more
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Is the Will Forged?
14 DECEMBER 2022 , ESTATE DISPUTES , CONTESTING A WILL , WILLS & ESTATE PLANNING , PROBATE & DECEASED ESTATESIn a recent case, a husband and a wife had been married for nearly thirty years with four children. The husband owned a panel beating business and a range of commercial interests including the operation of tow trucks and considerable property holdings, all of which made him wealthy. The man died. His will left the entire $22 million estate to one of his sons. Nothing was left to his wife or other children. The beneficiary son obtained probate. Read more
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Are you a company director and do not have your “Director ID”?
15 NOVEMBER 2022 If you are a Director of a company, you are now required to have a Director ID issued by the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS). Existing directors have until 30 November 2022 to apply for a Director ID and from 5 April 2022, intending directors must apply for a Director ID before they are appointed. It is a criminal offence if directors do not apply for a Director ID on time and penalties may also be issued. Read more
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Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill
20 OCTOBER 2022 On 19 May 2022, the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill was passed in New South Wales and will come into effect after an 18 month implementation period. Adults with decision-making capacity who are suffering from severe and progressing illnesses that are likely to cause death within six months (or twelve months in the case of neurological diseases) will be eligible to access voluntary assisted dying. Other requirements include that the patient is in pain, that the suffering caused by their illness or condition is unable to be relieved in any other way, and that their decision is informed and consistent. Read more
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Private Nuisance
21 SEPTEMBER 2022 Generally, a person can do whatever he chooses on his land provided it is lawful and it does not unlawfully interfere with someone else’s use and enjoyment of their land. However, a balance must be maintained between the competing interests of the parties. Read more
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High Court Makes Landmark Decision on Employee/Contractor Debate!
19 JULY 2022 A man had travelled to Australia on a working visa. He came from the United Kingdom, was 22 years old, and had limited experience as a builder in the UK. Money was tight, and he quickly found work with a labour hire company. His contract with the labour hire company stated that he was a “self-employed contractor”. Read more
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Do You Have Assets Overseas? Beware of the Cost of Not Having a Will!
28 JUNE 2022 , WILLS & ESTATE PLANNING , ESTATE DISPUTES , PROBATE & DECEASED ESTATESIn a recent case, a man died in Australia. He left behind a wife and two children, and an estate valued at over $50,000,000.00. He had assets in Australia, Hong Kong and China. He had not made a will to specify how his assets were to be divided after his death. Read more
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Man Tries to Exit Contract by Claiming He is Mentally Ill
17 MAY 2022 , COMMERCIAL & BUSINESS LAW , PROPERTY LAW & CONVEYANCINGA man (“the purchaser”) bought a property and negotiated a 13-month settlement period. The contract included a clause that said that if a party became mentally ill they could pull out of the contract. The purchaser took possession of the land before settlement, and everything appeared to be going smoothly. The purchaser himself was a savvy investor because he already had 8 properties to his name. Read more
