::SERVICES

Children of separating parents face enormous anxieties and adjustments. Their family’s lives will be significantly disrupted, so to minimise the impact, resolving the future parenting arrangements for them ought to be given careful consideration.

The main focus when determining future parenting arrangements for children after separation should be the needs of the children. It is the right of children to have a significant and an ongoing relationship with both of their parents, unless it is contrary to their best interests.

The parents of children both have parental responsibility, meaning that they have the authority and responsibility for making decisions concerning the long term issues about their children. When parents seek a Court Order dealing with parenting arrangements, namely, “a parenting order”, it will usually include an order that their parents have equal shared parental responsibility for their children. In some segments of the community there is a misconception that this equates to some right of each parent to have the children in their care for an equal amount of time.  In family law legislation, there is no mention of any rights of the parents.

There is no legal requirement for separating parents to obtain parenting orders to deal with the arrangements for their children.  Many separating parents are able to work out between themselves what the future arrangements will be for their children, and make those arrangements work. If it is possible for these people to make their informal parenting arrangements work, then there is probably no need for them to formalise those arrangements by way of parenting orders of a Court.

For those separating parents who are having difficulty reaching agreement about the future arrangements for their children, there is a legal requirement to at least attempt to resolve the differences through mediation. The mediation process will involve one of the parents making contact with a mediation service provider. An appointment is made to see this parent, for what is commonly referred to as an “intake interview”. At this intake interview the mediator obtains information about the family and what the issue is all about. The parties will also be assessed for their suitability to participate in mediation. If assessed as suitable, the mediator will then invite the other parent to make an appointment for an intake interview. After the other parent has had an intake interview, then a joint a mediation conference is eventually scheduled.

There is a variety of different mediation service providers available in the community. These include the government funded Family Relationship Centres which provide up to 3 hours free mediation. Alternatively, private mediators also operate and provide a service.

Most parenting mediations occur without lawyers present. However, this is not a set rule, and each matter ought to be carefully assessed to consider whether it would benefit from having the parties’ lawyers present. Such situations which may warrant having lawyers present would include if there is a degree of conflict between the parties whereby they cannot communicate with one another effectively, or where the parties may need to be assisted to concentrate on the important issues.

In some cases “child inclusive” medication is appropriate. This occurs where a child consultant, usually a child and family psychologist, speaks with the children and reports back to the parents on how the child is dealing with the separation. Whether child inclusive mediation is appropriate is a matter that is assessed by mediators who work with child consultants, and may involve situations where there are older children who have specific views, or where there is an issue present which may benefit from the input of a child consultant.

If the mediation process achieves a resolution about parenting arrangements for the children, including who they will live with and the time they will spend with each parent, then the mediator will record in general terms what has been agreed upon. It is then a matter for the parties to follow up and have their lawyers draft parenting orders, to be made by consent, reflecting what has been agreed upon at mediation. 

If mediation fails to resolve the issue concerning future parenting arrangements of the children, or if one party refuses to participate in the mediation process, then the mediator will issue a certificate which will entitle the parties to commence proceedings to ask a Court to determine their parenting arrangements. This is generally an option of last resort. 

Before embarking upon the mediation process to deal with parenting arrangements, it is always recommended that each parent seek independent legal advice from a lawyer experienced in family law. The advice should not only cover the legal/technical aspects, but also the process involved and an assessment of what process will best suit each individual case. 

For expert assistance with Family Law matters, phone Dominic Wilson, Managing Partner of Craddock Murray Neumann, on (02) 82684000. We have Family Lawyers who are certified by the Law Society of New South Wales as Accredited Specialists in Family Law. 

The team’s experience covers a wide range of matters and our lawyers’ commercial law/litigation knowledge and acumen allows them to provide business people with sound advice and able representation. Our litigators are aware of and actively manage the impact of a case   - including the exposure to risk and expense. We know how distracting litigation can be, and we know how important it is to plan action in consultation with you using your insights into your own position. 

 

Using our ISO-approved quality management systems we prepare thoroughly and report to you so that you are able to make sound judgements on your options and the implications for your business.

 

Our commercial litigation services include:

 

 

At Craddock Murray Neumann we pride ourselves on the skills and knowledge of our staff. Headed by Dominic Wilson and Julian Van Leer in conjunction with our Special Counsel, Nick Houen, we have a team of highly experienced commercial lawyers offering clients advice that is practical, honest, innovative, prompt, and cost effective. Many of our existing commercial clients were previously clients of the big city law firms who appreciate the savings as well as the personal attention and commitment to quality a mid-sized firm can offer.

Over the years, we have assisted a diverse range of commercial clients, from small-medium enterprises right through to major multi-national corporations and government departments. It is our aim to establish long-term relationships and our lawyers work with clients to develop a sound understanding of their businesses – something which is essential to providing effective representation and advice.

In late 2008 various States in Australia surrendered to the Commonwealth Parliament the power to deal with the financial aspects of the breakdown of de facto relationships.

Any de facto relationship which breaks down after 1 March 2009 is dealt with under the Family Law Act insofar as it relates to financial settlements.  This includes both opposite sex and same sex relationships.

In order to bring a claim for financial settlement under the Family Law Act upon the  breakdown of a de facto relationship (“DFR”), a number of requirements must be satisfied including;-

1.      A de facto relationship must have existed;

2.      At least one of the parties must be Australian Citizen, or a resident in Australia and be present in Australia on the day any Court proceedings are commenced;

3.      The period, or total periods, of the de facto relationship is a least two years, subject to some exceptions or qualifications;

4.      One or both of the parties is ordinarily resident in a State which has conferred the power upon the Commonwealth, and the parties lived in that State for at least a third of the relationship.

The States which have conferred the power to deal with DFR’s upon the Commonwealth include Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

A two year limitation period from the date of separation exists within which to commence court proceedings for financial settlement arising out of the breakdown of a DFR, or alternatively to formalise an agreement concerning financial issues.

One of the significant issues which will commonly arise is whether a DFR existed at all. Identifying the existence of a DFR is not a simple as identifying a marriage relationship. With marriage relationships, regardless of the parties’ domestic circumstances or quality of the relationship, the parties receive a marriage certificate to prove the status of that relationship. No such state issued tangible evidence exists with DFR’s.

Under Section 4AA(2) of the Family Law Act, the factors to be taken into account when determining whether a DFR exists includes:-

                    (a)  the duration of the relationship; 
                    (b)  the nature and extent of their common residence; 
                    (c)  whether a sexual relationship exists; 
                    (d)  the degree of financial dependence or interdependence, and any arrangements for financial support, between them;
                    (e)  the ownership, use and acquisition of their property; 
                    (f)  the degree of mutual commitment to a shared life; 
                    (g)  whether the relationship is or was registered under a prescribed law of a State or Territory as a prescribed kind of relationship; 
                    (h)  the care and support of ">children; 
                    (i)  the reputation and public aspects of the relationship.

It is not necessary that all those factors listed in Section 4AA(2) exist in any particular case. If there is any dispute as to whether or not a DFR acutally did exist, and therefore whether any claim can be brought under the Family Law Act for a financial settlement, then it may be a matter for a court to determine as a preliminary threshold  issue.

Significant consequences flow from a finding that a DFR existed. Where a DFR is held to have existed, the parties are entitled to seek a division of their net assets applying a methodology equivalent to that in marriage cases, which will result in a more generous outcome for one party who may be disadvantaged in terms of, for instance, income or care of children. If a DFR is found not to have existed, then a domestic relationship may have existed, and there may be an entitlement to bring a claim under state legislation, namely the Property (Relationships) Act.

 

• business agreements
• agency agreements
• agreements for the sale/supply of goods
• insurance contracts
• joint venture agreements
• put and call options
• production and distribution contracts
• financing contracts
• guarantees, mortgages, loan agreements,
• employment contracts and contracts for the sale of land etc

• contract negotiation
• drafting contracts
• advising on termination of contracts
• enforcing contracts
• recovery of damages as a result of a breach of contract
• defending proceedings where a breach of contract is alleged

Contact our Managing Partner, Dominic Wilson on (02) 8268 4000 or by email at dwilson@craddock.com.au for friendly professional service.  Dominic will direct you to an experienced contract lawyer who can assist you.

In Australia, divorce, parenting and financial issues, are dealt with separately, so the parties do not need to be divorced before their parenting and financial issues are dealt with.

A divorce involves:

For assistance with Family Law matters, phone Dominic Wilson, Managing Partner of Craddock Murray Neumann, on (02) 82684000. We have Family Lawyers who are certified by the Law Society of New South Wales as Accredited Specialists in Family Law. 

Advising on the advantages or disadvantages of the agreement when it is entered into either before the relationship commences or prior to separation is difficult. The advice should cover how a financial settlement would be achieved upon separation in the absence of a financial agreement – whether a party will be better or worse off because of the agreement. 

Many people value the peace of mind provided by a financial agreement prior to or during a relationship  - this way they have some certainty about what will happen if the relationship ends.

Many people enter into a financial agreement prior to marriage or entering into a de fact relationship in order to protect their assets. This commonly occurs in cases where people are entering into subsequent marriages or relationships. 

Financial agreements entered into before a marriage or de facto relationship or prior to separation can make whatever provision the parties want. However, drafting such agreements is not a simple matter of filling in a form. In order to adequately make provision for what the parties want, and in order to make a future challenge unlikely to succeed, the parties ought to make a full and frank disclosure of their financial circumstances before entering into the financial agreement, and the agreement needs to be drafted with care. 

When the parties are negotiating a financial settlement after separation in the absence of a prior financial agreement, a financial agreement is often used to formalise the final financial settlement that has been agreed upon. Financial agreements entered into after separation can include provision that neither party will seek spousal support or de facto maintenance from one another - something which is not available if Court orders by consent are obtained. In order for the “no spouse maintenance/de facto maintenance” clauses to be effective, neither party must be incapable of supporting themselves without an income tested pension or allowance, having regard to the provisions of the agreement. 

Whatever type of financial agreement is entered into, there are a number of technical requirements that must be fulfilled, including that each party obtain independent legal advice. A Party should not enter into a financial agreement without the advice of an experienced Family Lawyer.

For assistance with Family Law matters, phone Dominic Wilson, Managing Partner of Craddock Murray Neumann, on (02) 82684000. We have Family Lawyers who are certified by the Law Society of New South Wales as Accredited Specialists in Family Law. 

Gillian Wright and Paul Boers are highly experienced family lawyers. Both are Accredited Specialists in Family Law, as certified by the Law Society of New South Wales.

• pre-nuptial and binding financial agreements, cohabitation and separation agreements
• divorce and nullity proceedings
• children’s issues: parental responsibility; access; protection and welfare/abuse/abduction issues; child maintenance and support; Children’s Court matters
• adoption, paternity/parentage issues
• spousal maintenance
• property orders including use and occupation of home, division of business assets etc
• superannuation and tax issues
• bankruptcy issues in family law
• urgent orders including preserving assets of the relationship, restraining flight from jurisdiction
• family trusts, unit trusts, and Corporations Act issues
• claims arising from contributions and agreements
• de facto relationships
• domestic violence issues
• wills and succession issues
• same sex relationships
• IVF/Donor Insemination issues
• surrogacy.

Upon the breakdown of a marriage or de facto relationship, in the absence of a financial agreement previously entered into, the parties are entitled to seek a financial settlement. This involves a division of the net assets of the parties, and dealing with the liabilities. The end result is that the parties no longer jointly hold any assets or liabilities together, and are each allocated their share of the net assets. 

Prior to engaging into any discussions concerning a financial settlement, it is always advisable to seek independent legal advice, as to:-

1.          The legal technical methodology applied to determine your entitlements; 

 

2.          Based upon the net assets in history in your case, what is your likely assessment of your  entitlements; and  

3.          The processes involved to achieve a financial settlement. 

In an initial consultation at Craddock Murray Neumann, we deal with all these aspects in a financial settlement and work out a plan to deal with a financial settlement appropriate to your case. 

In every financial settlement there is an obligation upon the party to make full and frank disclosure of their financial circumstances. This is a fundamental principle designed to allow each party to make an informed decision concerning settlement options. It is not possible to make an informed decision about any settlement proposals until each party has a clear understanding of what assets and liabilities exist, and of the financial circumstances of each other.

At the beginning of each case involving financial settlement, the financial disclosure on the part of each party occurs. This will include each party verifying their financial circumstances with the production of personal financial documents. The next matter to consider is whether there are any issues concerning the valuation of any assets. If so, then the valuation issues are dealt with by having any assets valued, as appropriate. Once this is has been dealt with, settlement options may be considered. 

Most experience family lawyers have for decades taken the approach to try to achieve a settlement without court intervention. Assuming a settlement is achieved, it will need to be formalised, meaning that it is made legally binding. Two mechanisms are available, including court orders, which can be obtained by consent, and entering into a financial agreement.  

For assistance with Family Law matters, phone Dominic Wilson, Managing Partner of Craddock Murray Neumann, on (02) 82684000. We have Family Lawyers who are certified by the Law Society of New South Wales as Accredited Specialists in Family Law. 

With over 20 years of experience in the field of criminal law, we can ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the best possible advice and representation.

What should you do?

If you are charged with a criminal offence, or you think you may be charged with a criminal offence, or the Police or other investigators want to speak to you, you need to think and act quickly.   The answers to the most common, and important, questions we are asked by people facing criminal charges are listed below.

Q. Should I speak to a lawyer first?

A. Yes, and that lawyer should be an experienced criminal lawyer.

Q. Do I have to answer the Police questions?

Further information

Contact our Managing Partner, Dominic Wilson on (02) 8268 4000 or by email at dwilson@craddock.com.au for friendly professional service.  Dominic will direct you to an experienced criminal lawyer who can assist you.

Married couples, and now de facto couples, have a legal obligation under the Family Law Act to provide financial support to one another. If that financial support is not forthcoming, then either party to a marriage or de facto relationship is entitled to apply to a Court for orders that the other party pay maintenance to them. 

Usually, a Court will not make orders for spousal/de facto maintenance unless the parties have separated, or otherwise there is some very good reason why it ought to. 

There are two general requirements in order to succeed in a claim for maintenance. Firstly, the Applicant has to to establish a need. This is done by demonstrating that the Applicant’s income, having regard to their property and whether they are working to their capacity, is exceeded by their reasonable weekly expenses. If for instance a party makes him or herself unemployed, or is not working to capacity, then this can cause problems establishing the need component. 

Secondly, the Applicant must demonstrate that the other party has the capacity to pay maintenance. 

Establishing need and capacity is done through each party preparing a Financial Statement form. A Financial Statement sets out the average weekly income, average weekly expenses, assets, liabilities, financial resources and superannuation of each party.

Apart from filing Financial Statements in Court proceedings, each party then has an obligation to verify their financial circumstances.

A party opposing a spouse/de facto maintenance claim may argue the Applicant has resources at his/her disposal or is not earning to capacity, or that the opposing party does not have the capacity to pay.

The question often arises that if a claim for spousal/de facto maintenance can be established, how will it be paid? A Court can order maintenance to be paid periodically. If it does so, it is most commonly for a fixed period of time to allow a party to retrain and re-establish him/herself in the workforce.  The alternative is for maintenance to be paid by way of a lump sum. This is often tied up with a property settlement whereby a party may receive a greater proportion of the net assets than they would otherwise be entitled to receive.

If a Court decides to order maintenance to be paid on a periodic basis it will calculate the need of the Applicant, and then look to the other party’s capacity. The amount to be paid may be limited to the paying party’s excess income over weekly expenses.

If a Court is contemplating financial support to be paid by way of a lump sum then a number of different approaches can be taken, depending upon what net assets the parties have. One approach might be to quantify the weekly need of the Applicant and then work out what this represents over a period of a few years, and then give that party an additional lump sum out of the net assets in that amount. In the alternative, it may be appropriate to take a general approach and determine that the party in need of support receive an arbitrarily assessed additional percentage of the net assets taking into account their need. 

For assistance with Family Law matters, phone Dominic Wilson, Managing Partner of Craddock Murray Neumann, on (02) 82684000. We have Family Lawyers who are certified by the Law Society of New South Wales as Accredited Specialists in Family Law. 

 

 

 

Same sex couples are able to enter into financial agreements in similar terms to opposite sex de facto couples, under the provisions of the Family Law Act. Similarly in the absence of a financial agreement, on the breakdown of a same sex de facto relationship, the same legal technical methodology is applied to determine a financial settlement as in marriage cases.

There is no restriction on same sex couples starting their own families, whether it be a lesbian couple accessing in vitro fertilisation treatment, donor insemination at a clinic, or using a home procedure for donor insemination. However, in New South Wales same sex couples cannot adopt a child as a couple, but individual gay and lesbian people can adopt children. Otherwise there is no restriction on gay and lesbian couples becoming foster parents. 

As to surrogacy agreements in NSW, the Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2007 prohibits commercial surrogacy agreements (section 43) and also provides that a surrogacy agreement is void (section 45). This law also applies to same sex couples.

The family unit can take different forms depending upon the social and cultural background of the parties involved. For instance, within some cultures, including Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island or Maori cultures, a traditional form of adoption exists whereby a new- born child may be surrendered to the care of aunts or uncles or other relatives. Within the gay and lesbian community it is not uncommon for lesbian couples to have children through assisted reproductive technology or gay male couples to have children through informal surrogacy arrangements.  Co-parenting arrangements also exist where, for instance, a lesbian couple may co-parent a child with either a single male, or a gay male couple. How the arrangements work is often sorted out between the parties themselves, however it is recommended that prior to any co-parenting arrangements being entered into, the parties seek independent legal advice and perhaps pursue counselling.

When a same sex couple considers starting a family, it is recommended they seek independent legal advice on the status of each party as legal parent, and how parental responsibility is to be shared.

Currently same sex marriage is unavailable in Australia. It is available in Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, South Africa, Argentina and Mexico. It is also available in a few states in the United States of America.

In 2003 the Marriage Act was amended to introduce a definition of the word “marriage”. The definition restricts “marriage” to a union between a man and woman only. In addition, a new provision was added to the Marriage Act which expressly does not recognise overseas same sex marriages. This creates a curious state of affairs for same sex couples resident in Australia who married overseas. If their marriage relationship breaks down they would not be able to obtain a divorce in Australia since the marriage is not recognised in this country in the first place.  It would seem that in such a case they would need to seek a divorce in the country where they were married in the first place, provided that divorce for same sex couples is available in the jurisdiction where they married, and that they otherwise fulfil the jurisdictional of requirements before being able to obtain a divorce in that country.

For assistance with Family Law matters, phone Dominic Wilson, Managing Partner of Craddock Murray Neumann, on (02) 82684000. We have Family Lawyers who are certified by the Law Society of New South Wales as Accredited Specialists in Family Law. 

• limited liability (Pty Ltd) companies
• corporate structures
• estate planning
• structures for the holding of assets and distributing income
• insurance
• discretionary trusts
• superannuation
• indemnities
• guarantees
• securities

• the risks company directors and partners face
• the risks posed by the law of negligence and government regulation
• contractual and fiduciary liability
• liabilities of guarantors, mortgagors etc. 

Contact our Managing Partner, Dominic Wilson on (02) 8268 4000 or by email at dwilson@craddock.com.au for friendly professional service.  Dominic will direct you to an experienced lawyer who can assist you.

• challenging government/departmental decisions where:
  •  “natural justice” has been denied, or
  • unfair decision making processes have been adopted
• anti-discrimination cases
• equal opportunity cases
• Freedom of Information
• other areas covered under our commercial and immigration practices

• copyright protection
• patents
• designs
• trademarks 
• business names
• licensing and assignments
• IT contracts
• franchising
• litigation arising from infringement of intellectual property rights 
• confidential information

Contact our Managing Partner, Dominic Wilson on  (0... or by email at dwilson@craddock.com.au for friendly professional service.  Dominic will direct you to an experienced lawyer who can assist you

 

 

 

 

 

Professional negligence

We have many years experience in acting for and against insurance companies and professionals in litigation arising from negligence by professionals.

Further information

• privacy of information issues
• advice on medico-legal issues including access to clinical records, etc
• Inquests/coronial enquiries
• issues regarding care received
• ICAC enquiries
• disciplinary enquiries e.g. into misconduct by medical professionals and health workers etc.

 

 

 

We provide our clients with advice and representation in relation to all classes of visa including:

We also act for clients where the Department of Immigration and Citizenship has cancelled a visa.

We are referred work by business, government, community organizations, and also by the many people we have assisted over the past twenty years – more than 3000.

Our firm is also proud of its work over the years sponsored by the Department of Immigration where the Department sponsors our firm to represent:

Our team leaders

Our senior lawyers include:

How we can help

We are lawyers and migration agents.  Unlike migration agents who are not lawyers, we can help with:

Because of our legal training:

Over the years our firm has won numerous applications before the Tribunals and the Federal and High Courts.  For example, we took our clients all the way to the High Court of Australia in the matter of NAGV and NAGW v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.  This was a complex migration matter– and the High Court decided the case in favour of our clients in a unanimous 7-0 decision.

We advise honestly and openly about the prospects of a case.  Visa applicants and business people need to know whether their application will have reasonable prospects of success, and whether they are wasting their money pursuing something which will never be obtained.

Whatever visa class you are seeking, at Craddock Murray Neumann we can advise you of the requirements and represent you so as to maximize your chances of gaining your visa.

Free legal assistance

As noted above, we also help disadvantaged people through funding provided by the Department of Immigration. Funding is limited.  We might be able to help you if you:

Contact us if you think you might qualify.

Business visas

Business visa applications are very complicated and technical.  It is expected that all applicants will be able to provide sound evidence to support:

If an applicant is not able to secure a permanent resident business visa, they may nevertheless be able to qualify for the provisional visa, which can be used as a pathway to permanent residence.

In order to be granted a business visa it is usually necessary for the applicant to be under 45 years of age or 55 year of age if the visa application is sponsored by a State government.  English language proficiency is also a requirement for some business visas.

Business visas can be divided into the following categories:

Business owner/Business Talent visas

The business talent visa also requires the visa applicant to have an interest in an Australian business with Australian employees, and is subject to a points test.

Senior Executive visa

This category of visa requires applicants to prove that they:

Skilled visas   

Skilled visas are also referred to as “points tested visas” and can be broken up into two categories, onshore and offshore visas.

Onshore skilled visas

The permanent residence skilled visas that can be granted while the applicant is onshore (in Australia) generally require the applicant to:

For a “skilled independent visa”, the applicant must achieve a points score of 120, however if the applicant is sponsored by a family member, the required score is 100.

Applicants who do not achieve the required score may apply for a provisional skilled visa, which is not points tested.

These visas give the visa applicant an opportunity to work towards gaining the points they need for either a skilled independent, skilled family sponsored or skilled regional visa.3

Offshore skilled visas

For applicants who are offshore, the criteria for the permanent residence skilled visa is similar to the criteria for the offshore skilled visa.  However the requirement that the applicant has studied in Australia is replaced by a requirement that the applicant has been employed for a certain period in an occupation on the skilled occupation list.

Again, for a “skilled independent visa” the applicant must achieve a points score of 120; however if the applicant is sponsored by a family member, the required score is 100.

A scheme of provisional visas also exists for offshore applicants who are not immediately able to meet the points test.

Employer sponsored visas

 There are two broad types of employer visas: temporary visas, also known as  456 or 457 visas; and permanent visas, also known as “employer nomination visas”.

 

The age and English language requirement can be waived in exceptional cases.

Student visas

Student visas, as the name suggests, allow students to come to Australia for the purpose of undertaking a course of study in Australia.

In order to be granted a student visa, the applicant must demonstrate generally that:

It is very important when considering which course of study to take in Australia, that you are aware of the occupations which are currently on the skilled occupation list.  By tailoring your education towards these skilled occupations, student visa holders are often able to go on and secure permanent residence in Australia.

Family Migration

You can also sponsor family to migrate to Australia to care for an Australian who is disabled.

We can advise you on the detailed requirements for these visas.

Humanitarian and Refugee visas 

The humanitarian program includes refugees and those with special humanitarian needs.

Our fees – value

If you wish to find out more about our services, or want a quote on our fees, please contact us.

From 1 March 2003 it is compulsory for agents giving migration advice to publish and give this attachment to all parties seeking immigration advice.

Please click  HERE to view the Migration Agents Code of Conduct  PDF document.

• employment agreements
• redundancy
• unfair dismissals
• anti-discrimination matters 
• industrial safety matters
• applications to review  unfair working arrangements (Section 106 applications)

Contact our Managing Partner, Dominic Wilson on  (0... or by email at dwilson@craddock.com.au for friendly professional service.  Dominic will direct you to an experienced business and commercial lawyer who can assist you.

• take a personal interest in thoroughly preparing each matter using our ISO quality accredited systems
• have the reputation to be taken seriously by the opposing party
• have the experience, judgement, imagination, and insight to find the best path through the process

• insurance and loss claims and “Insurance declined” matters
• medical and health enquiry matters
• negligence claims arising from a loss you suffer as the result of something which someone - including a professional - should (or should not) have done
• criminal defence work
• disputed estates/contested wills
• family law
• property disputes, including conveyancing issues and claims arising from injury to/interference with property interests and other rights
• debt recovery
• insolvency law litigation
• all types of Commercial litigation including:
  • breach of contract cases
  • breach of trust cases
  • disputes about security interests
  • litigation over guarantees, charges, mortgages etc
  • intellectual property disputes
  • trade practices disputes
• building law matters
• enquiries including inquests, ICAC enquiries etc.
• administrative law litigation arising from actions by government departments.
• Court of Equity litigation arising from:
  • breach of trust
  • unfair contracts, undue influence, fraud, unconscionable conduct
  • dissolution of partnership proceedings.

• advising on building contracts
• drafting contracts
• advising and representing clients with respect to development requirements
• resolving disputes for builders
• resolving disputes for home owners
• mediation and alternative dispute resolution services
• recovery of damages
• recovery of  payments due under contract

• enforceability of contracts subject to the Credit Act
• contract disputes
• litigation arising out of alleged breaches of the Act
• Trade Practices Act disputes
• cases where unfair practices are alleged.

• publishing
• broadcasting and communications
• new media
• theatre
• television
• advertising and marketing

• contract negotiation
• contractual disputes
• copyright and intellectual property
• privacy issues
• pre-publication and defamation
• trade practices issues