Articles

Building disputes often arise where consumers are not aware of their rights and obligations, or do not hold builders properly to account for delays, cost blowouts and other issues. Fortunately, there are many steps that you can take to limit the risk of a dispute arising, as our with your builder, as our Disputes & Litigation team explains.

Our Litigation team offers some expert tips on how to prepare and what to expect when giving evidence in court. Read here for more details.

Registering a trade mark for a business name is more important than you might think. Registering a business name or domain name does not give you the exclusive right of use. However, registering your business name as a trade mark gives you the exclusive right to use the trade mark throughout Australia. Read here for more information.

In theory, upon your death you can leave your estate to anyone. However, with this power comes responsibility. The law may intervene if you fail to adequately provide for a person to whom you owe a moral and financial duty.

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If you want to lease a commercial property to a tenant, you need to know your rights as a Landlord. We outline seven key rights a Landlord in Victoria has under a standard Law Institute of Victoria Lease Agreement.

A caveat is an instrument that can be registered with Land Victoria to temporarily stop any dealings with a property. A caveat can prevent transfers of a property from being registered on the Certificate of Title and therefore stop someone from taking legal ownership of a property, as Andre Ong, Principal and Accredited Specialist (Property Law) explains.

What do you do when your building project goes awry and you are in dispute with your builder? Our Disputes & Litigation team summarises the options available to consumers in order to resolve a building dispute.

If you are involved in a Court or Tribunal case, it is very important to understand and be prepared for the costs and fees you may incur. Court or Tribunal proceedings are becoming more commonplace these days and everyone wants to know how much it will cost them. Read here for more information on the different costs you could incur, and exceptions.

When starting a business, it is important to decide firstly the legal structure of the business. There is no 'one-size-fits-all' when it comes to business structures. Mitchell Zadow, Accredited (Specialist) Commercial Law outlines the key advantages and disadvantages of the most common business structures.

Do you have questions about defamation on Facebook or other social media platforms in Australia? Our lawyers answer some commonly asked questions.

A court hearing is where you are required to go into the relevant Court or Tribunal and have a particular question determined by a Judge (or Tribunal Member). The other party to the proceedings will also be present, and you will both put your 'case' to the Judge on a particular issue. Evidence and court documents will be presented to the Judge, as necessary, and the Judge will make a decision on the answer to that issue or question.

It can be very confusing, knowing where to stand and what to do. To guide you through this process, we have prepared a list of key information and Court etiquette that you will need to know for almost every type of hearing. Read here for more information.