COVID-19 and the Law

This Christmas has thankfully seen an easing Australia wide of restrictions imposed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Most economic pundits are also suggesting that our economy will recover from the effects of the coronavirus much more quickly than was first expected. This is obviously welcome news for many in the ... More

The dangers of not making testamentary plans clear and in writing during your lifetime

A very recent case of Moore v Aubusson [2020] NSWSC 1446 illustrates the dangers of not making your testamentary plans clear and in writing during your lifetime. It was found that a verbal promise made by Ms Barbara Murphy (deceased) to her neighbours prior to her death substantially supplanted the contents of her Will. ... More

Resolving Family Law matters without court proceedings

This year the Family Law Courts announced that 2,000 cases nationally have been in the court system for over 18 months. The current time from filing documents in the Federal Circuit Court or Family Court of Australia (the Family Law Courts) to attending an interim hearing can be as long as 6 months or more - even for ... More

Changes in modern awards effective 1 March 2020

Due to many recent cases of systematic underpayment of employees, the Fair Work Commission has decided to implement changes to modern awards. These changes will provide greater protections for employees and place further obligations on employers. Often employment agreements are structured to offer an employee an ... More

Whistleblowers

Whistleblowers are people who expose illegal, unethical or inappropriate activity of companies or organisations or information that has been kept secret. The new legislation expands the definition of a whistleblower to include current and former employees; contractors; employees of contractors; associates; trustees; and ... More

Privacy, Data Protection and Your Business

Perhaps you think your business is too small to worry about investing in a formal privacy policy or a strategy to protect your clients' and customers' personal information. Perhaps you don't think that the structure of your business model warrants investing in one. Or perhaps you are just unsure about what a privacy policy ... More

Suburban Trees, Neighbours and Disputes

Although they bring welcome and needed greenery to streetscapes, suburban trees and hedges can be a significant cause of neighbourhood disagreement and dispute. Trees drop leaves and branches, shade property, block views, and the roots may damage sewage and drainage lines. If a tree is degrading or otherwise causing damage ... More

Abuse of Powers of Attorney

We usually recommend that our clients consider appointing another person to act as their attorney, pursuant to an Enduring Power of Attorney document, in case they become unable to manage their own affairs through lack of capacity or sudden illness or injury. The use of these Powers of Attorney is generally in accordance ... More

Children, Overseas Travel and Family Law

Going through a relationship breakdown is tough on all parties involved, and especially upon young children. While an overseas holiday may seem like the perfect opportunity to briefly take your mind off stresses at home during this period, if you are planning on taking your child with you there are a number of things you ... More

Looking back over 50 years

July has quite rightly seen a number of newspaper and television articles celebrating the tremendous achievements of NASA and the US in landing people on the moon 50 years ago. Here at WMD Law we have been doing a bit of looking back ourselves because the firm was established over 50 years ago on 1 July 1969 at Engadine ... More