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Publications

The Cannabis Cautioning Scheme

The debate over how to deal with cannabis use is back in the headlines again, courtesy of the ACT Government. In September of 2019 the ACT Government passed laws decriminalising the possession of small amounts of cannabis and cultivation of small numbers of cannabis plants. This approach to…

Illegal Mobile Phone Use On NSW Roads

The current penalty for using a mobile phone whilst driving a motor vehicle is $344 and five demerit points. But is this enough to deter drivers from using a mobile phone whilst on the road? The NSW Government is not convinced. With the increase of fatalities on NSW…

Benjamin Order to Distribute an Intestate Estate

In NSW Trustee and Guardian; re estate of Cooper [2018] NSWSC 1020, the NSW Trustee & Guardian (TAG) applied to the Court, as administrator of the estate, for orders permitting the distribution of the deceased estate to the Crown. The order sought is known as a Benjamin order.…

Is an Attorney Entitled to the Principal’s Will?

The short answer to this question is ‘no’ unless there is an express direction from the attorney within the power of attorney document itself that the attorney is entitled to access the principal’s will. Otherwise, simply, in New South Wales at least, there is no legal basis for…

ASIC v Westpac: Tearing Strips (of Wagyu) off the Watchdog

“I may eat Wagyu beef everyday washed down with the finest shiraz but, if I really want my new home, I can make do on much more modest fare”.Here! Here! Justice Perram.The Federal Court judge handed down his judgment in Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Westpac Banking…

Finders, Keepers, Losers, Weepers

It made headlines in November last year – a Sydney developer that exercised “squatters rights” to claim title to a house valued at $1.7M by simply moving in to an unoccupied Ashbury house and renting it out. The house at 6 Malleny Street was originally purchased by Mr…

Franchising Code of Conduct – Part 2

We recently discussed the obligation on the parties to a franchise agreement to act in good faith that is enshrined in the Franchising Code of Conduct and the timing requirements of providing your franchisee with a disclosure statement.But what must be included in the Disclosure Statement?The prescribed form…

Pill Testing

As you’re aware, pill testing has been at the forefront of the media over the last few weeks. It comes in the wake of a number of young people dying at festivals from alleged drug overdoses. There has been public outcry, asking the NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, to…

On the spot fines for possession of prohibited drugs

On 25 January 2019, the NSW Government implemented legislation enabling police officers to issue on the spot fines for drug possession offences. What does this mean? Police officers will have the discretion and power to issue a $400 fine to offenders found with illicit drugs in their possession.…

Key Changes to the Retail Leases Act 1994

A number of amendments were made to the Retail Leases Act 1994 by the Retail Leases Amendment (Review) Act 2017. No minimum Term The provision mandating a five year minimum term was removed. This means that there is no longer a need for a solicitor’s certificate for leases…

Franchising Code of Conduct – Part 1

The Franchising Code of Conduct is set out in Schedule 1 of the Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes – Franchising) Regulation 2014 (Code).The Code regulates the conduct of parties (or prospective parties) to a franchise agreement. Obligation to Act in Good Faith The Code introduces a positive obligation…

Owners Corporation barking mad for banning dogs from common property

Earlier this year, the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal handed down a decision in Yardy v Owners Corporation SP 57237 [2018] NSWCATCD 19. The Tribunal decided that the owner of a lot was allowed to keep his small Maltese cross terrier, called Baxter, on the lot owned by…

Sale by Public Auction

Buying a property at auction is different to buying a property by way of private treaty.The bidding process is public and once the metaphorical hammer falls at the auction, if you are the highest bidder, you are required to proceed to sign a Contract for Sale. The auctioneer…

New Laws affecting off the plan residential contracts

Amendments to the Conveyancing Act 1919 were passed by the NSW Parliament on 13 November 2018 that impose further obligations on developers.The changes affect disclosure, the statutory cooling-off period and rescission of the contract, amongst other things. Disclosure Statement It will be an offence to offer residential property…

Proposed on the spot fines for low-range drink driving offences

The NSW government recently proposed to give police new powers to issue on-the-spot fines and licence suspensions for first time, low-range drink driving offences. A low-range drink driving offence applies to a driver who has recorded a prescribed concentration of alcohol (PCA) of between 0.05 – 0.08. The…

Digital Driver’s Licences – convenience or concern?

The NSW Parliament recently passed a Bill allowing for Digital Driver’s Licences to be used for proof of identity and proof of age purposes. Driver’s will still be issued with a physical card, however, they will no longer be required to carry it on them if they are…

Supreme Court jurisdiction questioned for hearing bail applications

In the recent decision of Noufl v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW)[i] the Supreme Court ruled it did not have the jurisdiction to hear a bail application while an appeal was pending in the Court of Criminal Appeal. The decision was an appeal against conviction, with the appellant…

Under Age Consensual Sex – Should Either Party Be Charged?

 Background – Case Study – Client John Note: Psyuedonyms for all names   Initially, John was charged in relation to two complainants – Mary and Jane. At the time of the alleged offences, Mary was about 16 years and some months and Jane about 15 years and 9…

Self Defence in NSW

In New South Wales the law as to self-defence is essentially contained in Section 418 of the Crimes Act 1900 and there are various case authorities that interpret that section. Essentially, there are two (2) legs to making out a defence of self-defence and they are: The person…

Immunity for on-field violence must end

It is time that we, as a society, stopped treating on-field violence by sport stars as being immune from criminal prosecution and held athletes accountable for their actions in the same way as the rest of us. This weekend’s round of NRL saw yet another ugly brawl between…

Buyer (and their Lawyers) Beware: The new tax collectors

New GST legislation will take effect from 1 July 2018 that will affect developers and purchasers of new residential land and their respective legal advisors. The Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No. 1) Bill 2018 was passed and assented to on 29 March 2018. Amendments were made to…

Why choose a lawyer over a conveyancer?

Australians have a love affair with real estate. When you are undertaking one of the biggest financial commitments of your life, you will inevitably have to elect between a lawyer or a conveyancer to act on your conveyance. But what is the difference between a lawyer and conveyancer?…

Criminal Law Matters: Issue 7

CAN I GET A LICENCE JUST FOR WORK? CAN I GET A WORK LICENCE? I HAVE BEEN TOLD YOU CAN GET A LICENCE JUST TO GO TO AND FROM WORK  No! No! No! Not in NSW!! NOOOOO!   I remain fascinated by the fact that every client for…

Major Changes to NSW Sentencing Law

Proposed Legislation The Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Amendment (Sentencing Options) Act 2017 No 53 will make substantial amendments to the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 [“the Act”] and is scheduled to be proclaimed in about May 2018.  Gloss Overview  Abolition of Good Behaviour Bonds (s9) AND replacement with Conditional…

Criminal Law Matters: Issue 6

Dory: A friend of mine, her name’s Sigourney, once told me that all it takes is three simple steps: Rescue, rehabilitation, and um… one other thing? Group of Cheering Fish: Release!  Be very careful when entering a plea of ‘guilty’ to a criminal offence. You do not have…

Make the most of a Pre-Sentence Report interview

A Pre-Sentence Report (“PSR”) is a report about you prepared for the court by the community offenders service. It is used by the Court to help decide what sentence to impose on you. It will also let the court know whether you are suitable to be placed on…

Court clarifies DUI charges

In a recent decision, the NSW Supreme Court clarified what is meant by driving under the influence. What is DUI? Many people use the term “DUI” as an umbrella term to refer to all kinds of drink driving charges. This is not technically correct. In law, there are…

Sunset clauses in an off the plan purchases

In contracts for off the plan purchases, clauses are often included that provide for either party to end the contract in the event that the unit being purchased is not complete by a sunset date. In 2015, the media reported that developers were exploiting these sunset clauses by…

New disclosure requirements for contracts for sale of residential land

From 1 September 2017, contracts for sale of residential land will need to be updated to include new documents and meet new disclosure requirements.   Before residential property can be sold, a vendor is required to prepare a contract for sale that: discloses information about a property’s title,…

Family Court backlog letting families down

Chief Justice Diana Bryant has called on the Government to increase funding for the Family Court, describing the underfunded system as letting down “vulnerable people caught up in the system”.   Newcastle: Court delays in action To see the backlog in action, look no further than Newcastle’s Federal…

Family Law changes aim for quicker decisions and victim safety

New laws proposed by the Federal Government would introduce streamlined parenting hearings and preventing victims of family violence from being confronted by alleged attackers. Following a review of the Family Law Act, the changes are expected to help reduce bottlenecks and long waiting periods in the Family Court,…

Housing Affordability: New Bills before the Federal Parliament

Housing affordability, rising house prices and high levels of home loan indebtedness are topics that have received much public comment in the media. In the 2017–18 Budget, the Government announced the “Reducing Pressure on Housing Affordability – first home super saver scheme. There are currently four bills before…

Criminal Law Matters: Issue 5

The poorest man may in his cottage bid defiance to all the forces of the Crown. It may be frail — its roof may shake — the wind may blow through it — the storm may enter — the rain may enter — but the King of England…

Criminal Law Matters: Issue 4

I recently was waiting at the Local Court in the Downing Centre for my client’s matter to be heard. The majority of the cases before the Court were offences of violence. One man who described himself as having ‘a strong moral compass’ and particularly a dislike for ‘littering’…

The Newcastle Herald: Behind Newcastle’s rising crime statistics

Opinion | What’s behind area’s rising crime statistics The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research disclosed last week that crime across most of NSW had remained stable or fallen over the past two years. The bad news, particularly for Newcastle, is that most major crimes are increasing in the…

New increased police powers unjustified and problematic

Recent changes to parole and shoot to kill laws and regulations introduced through amendments to terrorism legislation in New South Wales present some very real concerns to our priceless civil liberties under the repeated political populace mantra that this is necessary to make us “safer from terrorists that…

Should I speak with police?

When Police are investigating an allegation that you have committed a criminal offence, they will usually invite you to participate in an interview with them about the allegations. Deciding whether or not to accept this invitation can be one of the most difficult and important decisions you will…

Challenging a deceased person’s will: family provision claims

If a person is unhappy with what has been left to them in a will, a family provision claim can be made seeking better provision from a deceased person’s estate. In this article, we look at what a family provision claim is and who can make a claim.…

Tips for going to Court

Going to Court can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. Below are some tips outlining Court etiquette and procedures. Ensure you are well dressed and presented as a mark of respect. Always arrive at least five minutes early (unless you are otherwise advised). Sunglasses or hats are not to…

Federal Government’s Proposed New Encryption Laws

The Federal Government has recently announced that it intends to make new encryption laws to force tech companies to provide law enforcement authorities with assistance to intercept and decrypt communications. While little else is known concerning the details of these proposed laws, the language which the Prime Minister…

Traffic Offender’s Intervention Program

The Traffic Offender’s Intervention Program (TOIP) is typically a pre-sentence course for people who have committed traffic offences. If you are a traffic offender the Magistrate or Judge may refer you to the program or you can book in directly. If you undertake to complete it, your court proceedings are…

Using the home safe rule to defend a drink driving charge

If you’re charged with drink driving, you may receive advice that the easiest thing to do is plead guilty. Depending on your prescribed concentration of alcohol or PCA, your driving history and what led to your arrest, an experienced lawyer may advise the smart choice is to plead…

How the two hour rule can help defend a drink driving charge

If you’re charged with a drink driving offence, you need to take it seriously. Acting quickly to get advice from an expert traffic lawyer could mean the difference between receiving a fine, losing your licence or even a stint in jail. Depending on your case, your lawyer may…

What happens when you can’t agree on parenting arrangements?

The end of a relationship can be an emotionally draining time, especially when children are involved. Amid the upset and turmoil, a number of big questions need to be answered. Who will the children live with? How much time will they spend with each parent? What will be…

Understanding Divorce In Australia

In Australia, Divorce is obtained by an Application to the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. The Divorce only deals with the dissolution of the marriage. It does not deal with issues of financial support, property distribution or arrangements for children. Grounds for Divorce The only ground for Divorce…

Is a Parenting Plan enough?

Separation and divorce is tough on families, especially children. Even when both parents want the best for their children, it can be difficult when emotions are running high and finances are involved. If you can reach an agreement with the other parent about parenting arrangements, a Parenting Plan…

Gosford Criminal Advocate Receives Top Pro Bono Award

Senior Trial Advocate: Manny Conditsis Then President of the Law Society of NSW, Justin Dowd, congratulated Manny Conditsis as the recipient of the Law Society President’s Award which was announced as part of the 2012 Justice Awards. The Law Society President’s Award is presented to an individual solicitor…

Defending Drink Driving Charges

Introduction Being convicted of a drink driving charge can potentially have devastating consequences for both you and your family. It begins with a loss of your driver’s licence. For some people that is merely an inconvenience, however for others -who rely on their licence to maintain their employment-…

What should be in the contract for a sale of residential land?

Purchasing property is an immense financial undertaking and it is essential that the contract for the sale of land meets all of the legal requirements to ensure that the process will proceed as smoothly as possible. Therefore, basic information beginning with the price, the parties to the contract,…