Articles

Being charged with a criminal offence can create consequences well beyond the courtroom. For professionals, business owners and people in the public eye, one of the first concerns is often: “Can my name be published?” In some circumstances, a court can make a suppression or non-publication order restricting certain information from being published. However, these…

For many separating couples, deciding who keeps the dog, cat or other family pet can be surprisingly difficult. A pet may have been part of the family for years, shared between the parties and closely connected with the children, which means discussions about where it will live can quickly become emotional. It is also an…

Leaving a job should theoretically be straightforward: you resign, work your notice period and move on to your next opportunity. For many employees, however, an old employment contract suddenly becomes very important when their employer points to a restraint of trade clause and says they cannot work for a competitor. This can be particularly concerning…

Moving countries to build a life with your partner is a significant decision, and for many couples the Australian Partner visa pathway forms an important part of that future. Partner visa applications can appear relatively straightforward: demonstrate that you are in a genuine relationship and provide the required documentation. In practice, however, applicants can underestimate…

For many separated parents, the school term settles into a familiar rhythm. Children attend school during the week, weekends are shared in accordance with existing parenting arrangements, and everyone gradually adapts to a routine. School holidays are different. Longer periods away from school often mean travel plans, family gatherings, special occasions and competing expectations. Parents…

Few workplace conversations create as much anxiety as being told you are being placed on a Performance Improvement Plan, commonly referred to as a PIP. For many employees, it comes as a complete surprise. They may have believed they were performing well, received little previous feedback or been given no indication that their employment was…

Most business owners can point to a relationship that started with nothing more than a handshake. Perhaps it was a long-standing supplier. A trusted customer. A friend who became a business partner. A contractor who had worked with the business for years. At the time, a written agreement seemed unnecessary. The relationship was strong, both…