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

Electronic Future – eConveyancing

You may be aware that the NSW Government are assisting to convert NSW into a highly secure location to buy and sell your properties. The process begins with the transition from paper based transactions to electronic transactions called eConveyancing using an electronic platform which links to Government organisations to ... More

Changes to Drink Driving Laws

Recent reforms relating to Drink Driving Offences in NSW have significantly changed the existing law. As of Monday, 20 May 2019 any driver, even a first time or a low range offender, will receive an immediate 3 month licence suspension in addition to a $561 fine regardless of any defence or need for their licence. Theref... More

The National Employment Standards

The National Employment Standards (NES) are 10 minimum terms of employment that apply to all employees in accordance with the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). 10 Workplace Entitlements that Apply to all Employers A maximum standard working week of 38 hours for full-time employees, plus 'reasonable' additional hours. A ... More