News
Understanding Consumer Guarantees under Australian Consumer Law
Among other protections, the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) establishes a national framework of consumer guarantees that businesses cannot contract out of. Generally, businesses must guarantee products and services for sale, hire, or lease where the cost is less than...
Understanding Share Sale Agreements
Understanding share sale agreements is essential for corporate clients who navigate the sale of shares in Australian businesses. Investors and entrepreneurs should familiarise themselves with typical provisions found in share sale agreements and know important...
Married overseas? Here’s why you need a Will.
We recently assisted a client whose spouse passed away without a Will. Despite being married for over 50 years, the Court questioned the legitimacy of their relationship due to the absence of a formal marriage certificate. Back in the day, in some countries, official...
What Happens After Probate Is Granted NSW?
Probate is a grant from the Supreme Court of New South Wales that confirms the Will is valid and authorises the executor to manage and distribute the estate. Most applications are filed through the NSW Online Registry. If the application is lodged more than six months...
Can an Enduring Power of Attorney Change a Will in NSW?
Short answer: No. An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) lets someone make legal and financial decisions for you during your lifetime. It cannot make, change, or revoke your Will. Only you can change your Will if you have testamentary capacity. In rare cases, the...
Stamp Duty on Commercial Property Transfers Involving SMSF
Are you thinking about transferring a property you own into your Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF)? NSW offers fixed transfer duty (formerly stamp duty) when strict rules are met. In many cases the fixed duty is $750. This can save...
Understanding Breaches of the Australian Consumer Law
The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) includes a range of protections to consumers from unfair business practices, including misleading and deceptive conduct, false or misleading representations, unconscionable conduct, and even representations about country or place of...
Commercial Leasing Tips for Landlords: Repairs, Maintenance & Make Good Provisions
If you own commercial premises that you rent out, a carefully drafted lease agreement is essential. Commercial lease agreements are usually prepared by the landlord (or their legal representative). This is an opportunity to ensure the lease is structured to protect...
The Australian Consumer Law: What Businesses Need to Know
The Australian Consumer Law, or ACL, is a national law that applies to all businesses throughout Australia. It ensures that consumers have consistent rights and that businesses have the same obligations nationwide. Where is the ACL found? The ACL is in Schedule 2 of...
Why Writing Your Own Will Can Be a Bad Idea
Thinking about writing your own Will to save some time and money? It's a common thought, but it can lead to problems for your loved ones. While a simple, do-it-yourself Will might seem appealing, the law surrounding Wills is...