Category: Blogs

  • Rights of residential tenants when premises are rendered uninhabitable

    Given the recent record of events concerning the Opal Tower Building at  Olympic Park Sydney, where reportedly some 50 of the 390 apartments in the building are unable to be occupied (at least for the immediate future) owing to perceived risks to the occupants of those apartments due to cracking having been discovered in that…

  • Enduring Power of Attorney and Enduring Guardianship

    Why should I appoint an Enduring Power of Attorney and Enduring Guardian? Along with making a Will, the appointment of an Enduring Power of Attorney and Enduring Guardian is a very important part of any Estate Plan. These appointments allow you to nominate a person, or persons, to make important decisions on your behalf in…

  • Capacity to make a Will

    A Will is a very important step in any Estate Plan. One of the essential requirements for making a valid Will is that the testator (will-maker) must have the capacity to make a Will. This means that the testator must be capable of doing all of the following at the time that they give instructions…

  • New Rail Safety Legislation

    Transport Administration Amendment (Independent Transport Safety Regulator) Act 2017 No.4 The object of the bill is to abolish the Independent Transport Safety Regulator which was a NSW Statutory Corporation that provided specific functions and services under delegation from the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator. The functions that the Independent Transport Safety Regulator currently…

  • Recent Changes To NSW Liquor Laws

    The NSW Government in the month of October has brought in a raft of liquor law reforms affecting licensees across NSW. SMALL BARS Some of the changes are a welcome benefit for small bars in the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross whereby drink restrictions post- midnight have been removed for venues with small bar licenses…

  • Road Transport Act Changes

    Effective from 28 October 2017, amendments to the Road Transport Act 2013 mean that people who are currently disqualified from driving may now have the opportunity to have those periods of disqualification removed. There are two criteria that an applicant must satisfy in order to apply: They must never have been convicted of any of a number…

  • Criminalising Revenge Porn in Domestic Violence and Family Law

    Thanks to modern technology, the ease with which a person may record and share intimate images at the click of a button is a growing concern. On 23rd May 2017, State Parliament introduced the Crimes Amendment (Intimate Images) Bill 2017, detailing offences for the non-consensual recording and distribution of intimate images. The Bill was passed…

  • CHILD SUPPORT – HOW DOES IT ALL WORK?

    Separation within the family unit requires consideration of complex emotional, legal and financial issues concerning both parenting and property. While facing the emotional challenges concerning a relationship breakdown, parents make decisions in relation to the care of the children involved. In doing so, the law requires these decisions ensure the best interests of the children…

  • LAND TAX CRACKDOWN – HOW THIS MAY AFFECT YOU

    Over the last couple of years, the Office of State Revenue (OSR) has implemented a state-wide review of land tax payable by individuals and organisations, seeking records held by the residential tenancies board, land titles office and state revenue office, as part of its data matching program. Information has also been requested from the land…

  • Bullies Beware – You can no longer hide behind social media

    Those using Facebook and Tinder, among many other social networking forums, are significantly exposed to the risk of mentally damaging harassment. In an age where privacy appears to be a forgotten concept, modern youth choose to share their day-to-day activities with an online audience. These posts are subject to the scrutiny of others, even if…