Latest publications
Strata Schemes General Meetings in light of COVID-19
It has just been announced that the NSW Parliament is considering reforms to the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (SSMA) to remove the need for face-to-face meetings and allow owners corporations to operate electronically. In the meantime, owners corporations are still required comply with their obligations to hold meetings in…
Separation Post COVID 19 – Relocation of children and the importance of planning now
Separation is tough! Especially when there are children involved but add a pandemic into the mix and it is next level. In these uncertain times it may feel as though you have little control over your separation particularly if you are wanting to move with the children. With the COVID-19 restrictions easing…
Is your strata scheme functioning?
We recently acted for a lot owner/building manager in a Strata Application to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) successfully seeking orders for the removal of the existing strata committee and the compulsory appointment of a strata manager to the scheme under s237 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (SSMA 2015)…
COVID-19 | Construction Works Within Strata Schemes
With the introduction of the Environmental Planning and Assessment (COVID-19 Development – Construction Work Days) Order 2020 on 31 March 2020 (the Order), strata schemes may be faced with decisions to make regarding the continuation or commencement of building works during the Government imposed restrictions and social distancing guidelines. Impact of…
COVID-19 | Spousal Maintenance Applications and Modification of a Spouse Maintenance Order
The health and economic chaos caused by COVID ‑19 has already proven to be far reaching in Australia and throughout the World. The overall economic impact and evolution of the virus is still unknown. Australia, for now, appear to have deflected the devastating health crisis experienced in other countries, however…
COVID-19 | Too much time together….are you thinking of leaving the Family Home?
Social distancing and travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic is creating stress on families. This stress is heightened significantly if you want to separate from your partner. If you find yourself in a position when you cannot take it anymore and want to leave the family home, it is important that…
COVID-19 | Redundancy payments during the crisis
Michael Byrnes, Partner and Emily Capener, Solicitor provide an overview of two recent cases that considered the payment of redundancy during the COVID-19 crisis. Redundancies are generally driven by factors such as technological advances, company restructuring and business closures. Now, of course, employers and employees alike need to deal with the…
COVID-19 | Making a Will in times of emergency
COVID-19 has significantly changed the way we do ordinary tasks. With the increasing restrictions on travel, leaving the home and gatherings, tasks we used to do everyday with ease have become more difficult. This is even more so when it comes to making your Will. Generally speaking, a Will needs to be…
COVID-19 | A Short Guide to the JobKeeper Payment and JobKeeper Flexibility
On 8 April 2020, Federal Parliament passed the Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Bill 2020 and the Coronavirus Economic Response Package Omnibus (Measures No. 2) Bill 2020. Michael Byrnes, Partner and Emily Capener, Solicitor explains what this means for you and how your business can access these benefits. THE JOBKEEPER PAYMENT …
COVID-19 | The Commercial Tenancies Code | 8 April 2020
In our previous update, we outlined some of the measures the Prime Minister intended to implement to provide support and relief for commercial tenants and landlords in financial distress as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. On 7 April 2020, the National Cabinet announced a mandatory code of conduct (click here) (Commercial Tenancies Code)…