George

NSW recently commenced its voluntary assisted dying (VAD) laws following the passage of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022. After an 18‐month implementation period, the legislation took effect on 28 November 2023, joining Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland in permitting terminally ill adults to access life‐ending medication under strict conditions (NSW Government, …

NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Laws: Eligibility, Process & Safeguards Read More »

The Equality Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Act 2024 will come into effect on 1 July 2025. The amendment removes the requirement for gender affirmation surgery to update a birth certificate. This change represents a significant reform in how legal identity is determined and recorded. It marks a shift in the treatment of gender identity within administrative law …

Equality Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Act 2024: Removing Surgery Requirement to Update Birth Certificate Read More »

Hate speech laws have long been a subject of debate in NSW. The NSW Government is currently considering amendments to section 93Z of the Crimes Act. Proposed reforms seek to increase penalties for hate-motivated offences. The prospect of these changes has sparked discussion among legal practitioners and the public alike. This article examines the proposed …

NSW Hate Speech Laws: Proposed Reforms to Section 93Z of the Crimes Act Read More »

From 1 January 2025, intentional wage underpayment will be a criminal offence under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). From 1 January 2025, intentional wage underpayment will be a criminal offence under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). These reforms mark a significant step in wage underpayment criminalisation, holding employers accountable for deliberately underpaying workers. …

Wage Underpayment Criminalisation: New Laws from January 2025 Read More »

Ensuring Consumer Law Compliance under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) is a critical responsibility for businesses. The ACCC has increased its focus on misleading practices, especially refund policies and consumer rights. Companies that breach the ACL face penalties, reputational harm, and loss of trust. This article outlines ACL obligations and recent ACCC enforcement actions. It …

Consumer Law Compliance: How to Avoid ACCC Penalties for Misleading Practices Read More »

Losing a job can be a distressing experience, but when a dismissal is unfair, employees have legal avenues to challenge it. Unfair dismissal in Australia happens when an employer terminates an employee in a harsh, unjust, or unreasonable manner or fails to follow proper procedures. In Australia, the Fair Work Act 2009 (FWA) sets out …

Unfair Dismissal In Australia: Employee Rights and Legal Remedies Read More »

Introduction The Guardianship Division of NCAT resolves disputes over appointing guardians or financial managers. These disputes involve individuals with impaired decision-making. Family members often disagree when a loved one has cognitive impairment, disability, or illness affecting their capacity. Such situations can lead to complex, emotionally charged, and legally intricate family conflicts. This article explores the …

Guardianship Disputes at NCAT: Resolving Family Conflicts Read More »

“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 »