“It’s not a house, it’s a home” – Public awareness of compulsory land acquisition law grew partly due to the 1997 film, The Castle. The Kerrigan family contested the forced acquisition of their home. They ultimately took their case to the High Court of Australia. Unlike Dennis Denuto’s “vibe”-based arguments, legislation governs compulsory acquisitions in …
Compulsory Acquisition NSW: Case Law & Compensation Changes Read More »
The legal profession has long been a bastion of tradition—pages upon pages of case law, meticulous research, and the ever-reliable leather-bound books housing centuries of legal wisdom. Yet, in recent years, artificial intelligence has been making its way into this time-honoured field, promising efficiency, accuracy, and a revolution in legal practice. But as we have …
AI in Law: Risks, Benefits and Ethical Challenges Read More »
Estate disputes can come in many shapes and sizes. Some challenges relate to a Will’s validity. Others challenge a beneficiary’s inheritance or exclusion. One of the mechanisms that parties can use to settle on a resolution is a Deed of Family Arrangement (DOFA). Beneficiaries and entitled persons agree through a DOFA on how to administer …
Deed of Family Arrangement in Estate Disputes: Key Considerations Read More »
Parental alienation is an increasingly contentious issue in Australian family law, particularly in high-conflict parenting disputes. It occurs when one parent manipulates a child to reject or fear the other parent without legitimate justification. The Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) does not specifically define parental alienation. Australian courts recognise it as a significant factor in …
Parental Alienation in Australian Family Law: Legal Challenges and Judicial Responses Read More »
Introduction Workplace bullying is a significant issue that affects both employees and employers. Understanding the workplace bullying legal definition is essential for recognising misconduct and addressing it effectively. A previous publication on our website provided a brief overview of what may constitute workplace bullying under Australian legislation and explored possible legal remedies. This article provides …
Workplace Bullying: Legal Definition, Employer Obligations & Prevention Strategies Read More »
In the City of Sydney, where there are more than two dogs for every child, it is not surprising that recent trends highlight an increasing acknowledgment of non-human family members in property settlement disputes. This raises the question: who keeps the family dog in property settlements? Views prior to the Family Law Amendment Act Previous …
Ordinary Time Earnings (OTE) are central to how employers calculate the minimum superannuation contributions they must provide to employees, as required by the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth) (SGAA). OTE represents a specific subset of the broader “salary or wages” an employee may receive from their employer. Employers use OTE to calculate minimum superannuation …
Understanding Ordinary Time Earnings (OTE) and Superannuation Obligations Read More »
In a significant shift aimed at curbing exploitative workplace practices, the criminalisation of wage theft in Australia has become a criminal offence. This change, which came into effect on 1 January 2025, was part of a broader suite of reforms under the Closing Loopholes legislation. These reforms aim to enhance protections for workers, tackle wage …
The Criminalisation of Wage Theft in Australia: What Employers Need to Know Read More »
Dying without a will can leave loved ones facing uncertainty and stress. In NSW, the Succession Act 2006 (NSW) actively governs the distribution of a person’s estate when they pass away intestate. This article explores what happens in such cases, who inherits under intestacy laws, and why having a valid will is essential. The Role …
The Family Law Amendment (Information Sharing) Act 2023 (“Act”) marks a pivotal development in Australian family law. By enhancing information sharing in family law proceedings, it addresses critical issues concerning the safety and wellbeing of children. The Act aims to improve collaboration between courts, child welfare agencies, and law enforcement. It facilitates a more integrated …
Enhancing Child Safety Under the Family Law Amendment (Information Sharing) Act 2023 Read More »
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