Latest publications
Top Ten Tips for Landlord Leasing
This article contains some useful tips and insights on matters of importance for landlord leasing. The information is general in nature and does not take into account any personal circumstances. Get your commercial terms in order The document which sets out the agreed commercial terms of a lease has several different names…
The ABCs of Child Support
Child support is a payment made by one parent to the other to assist him or her to meet the expenses of raising their child/children. The legislation provides that parents of a child/children have a duty to maintain the child/children. This applies even if one parent is not presently spending time with the…
Relationship break downs — how do you sort out maintenance?
So, we have a relationship break down – how do we sort the maintenance? It is one of the most challenging aspects of family law – who gets what and who owes whom — when a relationship breaks down and maintenance is being negotiated. Consider this article as an overview and checklist to…
If you employ a worker for a particular project, can you terminate them at the end of that project?
IN BRIEF Today in the world of Australian property, contingent workers fit the bill. Contingent workers are the freelancers, or independent professionals and consultants, or temporary contract workers, who provide their services to an organisation on a non-permanent or contract basis. There’s recently been a big increase of fit-outs in residential property across the…
Government and ATO tighten laws in relation to sale of property by foreign residents
IN BRIEF It’s all about low voluntary compliance by foreign residents who sell Australian property – and the government is tightening tax laws to shift the compliance burden on certain transactions. It’s complex – and it comes into effect on 1 July 2016. In this article, Daniel Kentwell addressess how the…
If circumstances change, so can Parenting Orders
In brief: It may come as a relief to some that Parenting Orders made by the court are not always set in stone. If your circumstances change, so too can the orders. And there are a number of reasons why you might wish to change Parenting Orders after they have been made by the Court. …
Workplace liability in unexpected places
In brief In this article we look at two recent cases where employers face penalties in circumstances which highlight the need for employers and managers to be vigilant in the workplace. In the first case, a company was held liable for the actions of one of its employees who racially abused a co-worker…
After the Mardi Gras glitter and glow why not pause for thought on the status of your relationship
In Brief “…it’s time to stand up and be counted, to turn your passion into purpose. Start something! Build momentum.” Momentum is the theme for the 2016 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. As the 2016 Mardi Gras festival draws to a close with the internationally renowned Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi…
Protecting In-house Counsel’s advice
In brief Swaab believe the recent case of Holman v Warringah Council [2015] brings some clarity to the law surrounding legal professional privilege, especially when it comes to information prepared by in-house counsel. The question is – in what circumstances can legal professional privilege be claimed over information prepared by in-house counsel? What…
Important news for small business new laws offer protection against unfair contracts
In Brief The landscape for small businesses in Australia is changing. Throughout 2016, those of you looking to the future will no doubt be planning ahead to ensure your business does not miss a beat – or an opportunity! From 2017, small businesses will have the same protection against unfair contract…