George

Overview of the 2024 Family Law Reforms Significant reforms to Australian family law commenced on 6 May 2024 following the enactment of the Family Law Amendment Act 2023. These changes aim to simplify parenting arrangements and prioritise the best interests of children in family law matters. The reforms remove previous legal presumptions about parental responsibility …

2024 Australian Family Law Reforms: Impact on Parenting Arrangements Read More »

From 3 February 2025, new regulations enhance strata management transparency. Strata managers must disclose relationships, commissions, and potential conflicts. This aims to improve accountability and build trust in the strata management industry. New Disclosure Requirements Enhancing Strata Management Transparency The amendment introduces a framework requiring strata managers to openly disclose details of any personal or …

Strata Management Transparency: New Disclosure Requirements for Strata Managers Read More »

What happens when someone makes a big promise—say, “One day this farm will be yours”—and then dies without ever putting that promise in writing? What if the deceased’s later will says something totally different? In Kramer v Stone [2024] HCA 48, the High Court confirmed that in Australia, if you rely on a promise and …

Kramer v Stone [2024] HCA 48: When There’s a Will, There’s Not Necessarily a Way Read More »

Understanding why it’s essential to have a Will is the first step in effective estate planning. Estate planning is the strategic process of managing and protecting assets. This is to ensure their distribution following an individuals passing is in accordance with their wishes. The usual steps involved in estate planning are: Identifying Your Assets and …

Why It’s Essential to Have a Will: Estate Planning 101 Read More »

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 »