Our News
One Punch Laws: Tough On Crime & Tough On Rights
On 26 August 2014, the Safe Night Out Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 (“the Bill“) was passed by the Queensland Parliament which is part of the Queensland Government’s “Safe Night Out” strategy, with the objective to reduce alcohol and drug-related violence in...
Man Dies Moments Before Signing His Last Will: Can It Be Proved Valid?
Picture this: a man is dying in hospital and suddenly decides to change his will. A lawyer is called to attend the hospital to take instructions for the man’s will. The man, close to the end of his life, labouring to breathe, just barely able to summon enough energy...
Landlords Beware: Blinds & Curtain Cords Can Kill
Loose blinds, curtain cords and chains (particularly those with loops) have been the subject of extensive investigations, inquiries and consultations with industry associations, companies, people and health and advocacy groups in recent years, conducted by the...
Q&A: Wills & Estates
Q. What’s the difference between a good will and a bad will? A. A good will obviously needs to give effect to a person’s intentions. It requires a detailed consideration of the testator’s family relationships, property and associated entities such as trusts, companies...
Protecting Rights: You Have Them For A Reason
The world was graced with pictures and film footage of one of Australia’s richest men and a multimillionaire media mogul trading blows in a two-sided brawl. It was in public, in the middle of the day and can be classified as ‘affray’, a crime against public order,...
Endangered PAMDA Nears Extinction: Welcome The New Property Occupations Act Species
The Queensland State Parliament is currently in the final stages of bringing about the Queensland Property Occupations Bill 2013 (“the Bill“). The Bill (once passed) will replace the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 (“PAMDA“). The objective of the change is...
VLAD Bikie Laws & Now the Government Turns On Lawyers
The VLAD laws have received considerable attention by the media and have been widely discussed in the community. Following the introduction of these laws, the Premier of Queensland, Campbell Newman, last week made the extraordinary claims that any lawyer who...
How Does A Domestic Violence Order Work?
In Queensland the Domestic Violence and Family Protection Act 1989 (Qld) (“the Act“) was created to provide protection for victims of abusive or violent relationships. The Act is designed to protect both victims who reside with the other person and victims who seek an...
How To Obtain A Restricted Licence?
With the holiday season for most either having ended or about to end, you might be one of the recent people detected and charged with drink driving, speeding or other traffic offences on Queensland roads. For some drivers this will mean facing the New Year without a...