Blog
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Stepmother Mortgages Family Home Left for Sons
15 SEPTEMBER 2025 , LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTION , WILLS & ESTATE PLANNINGJim Thynne died in 2011, survived by his wife Victoria and sons Harry (from a previous marriage) and Patrick. In Jim's will, Victoria was left the family home valued $4 million. This was under the condition that Victoria would leave the family home to Patrick and Harry equally when she died. In 2020, Victoria took out a mortgage over the family home. She used that money to keep the family farm running and to buy another property. Read more
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Widow Preserves Deceased Husband to Bear His Child
10 SEPTEMBER 2025 , LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTIONMr Cerith Smith died in a car accident in 2025. Before his death, he and his partner, Michelle Montgomery, had planned to try for another child. Michelle applied to the Supreme Court to have his semen removed and stored. Read more
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Cancel Culture Backfires
04 DECEMBER 2024 , LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTIONThe recent changes to defamation laws in New South Wales means you cannot successfully sue someone for defamation unless your reputation has been “seriously” harmed from a publication. The same applies in England and Wales. Read more
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Watch What You Tweet
21 NOVEMBER 2024 , LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTIONThe recent changes to defamation laws in New South Wales mean that you cannot successfully sue someone for defamation unless your reputation has been “seriously” harmed by a publication. The same applies in England and Wales. Read more
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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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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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Disobedient Employees? You Could be Responsible for Their Actions!
01 MARCH 2022 , COMMERCIAL & BUSINESS LAW , LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTIONAn employer was involved in providing apprenticeship opportunities to young workers. The company engaged a 16-year-old high school student for work experience to see if it would take him on as an apprentice. The student was keen and seemed to show potential. Read more
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Many Strata Reports Should Be Discarded!
14 FEBRUARY 2022 , PROPERTY LAW & CONVEYANCING , LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTIONOnly in extraordinary circumstances should a purchaser of a strata property (whether residential or commercial) proceed to exchange contracts or bid at an auction without first reading a written report on the affairs of the owners’ corporation. But beware! These days they are often provided by the vendor, or their selling agent. Do you see a problem? Read more
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Can your Business Effectively Protect Its Interests?
17 JANUARY 2022 , COMMERCIAL & BUSINESS LAW , LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTIONRestraint of Trade Clauses can also be applied between businesses. This is often the case when one business is split into two businesses, or in Joint Venture Agreements where two businesses agree to co-operate on a project. A recent NSW Supreme Court Case involving flower wholesalers has shown how Restraint of Trade Clauses will not always be enforced by Courts. Read more
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Could You be Liable for the Risks of an Intruder?
13 JULY 2021 , COMMERCIAL & BUSINESS LAW , LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTIONIn a recent case, a landlord owned and operated a large shopping centre. The landlord engaged a security company to provide security for the premises. This security company sub-contracted the responsibilities to another security company who employed a man to guard the shopping centre. This man was made familiar with various manuals which covered his role and outlined responses to specific incidents like armed persons and robberies. Read more
