Is Paying an Adjudicated Debt a Must Before Legal Action? A peek into McDonald v MAK Constructions
Snapshot Judgment debts and adjudication can be complex territory – especially when there’s a dispute over payment and defects. Consider this scenario: you withhold payment from a builder because you believe their work is defective. The builder takes the dispute to adjudication, and the adjudicator determines that you actually do owe the builder money. You […]
What is an Auspice Agreement?
A Guide for Charities and Not-for-Profits In the not-for-profit world, collaboration is key. Many great ideas for community impact begin with small, unincorporated groups or passionate individuals who may not yet have the legal structure to access grants, insurance, or enter contracts. That’s where auspice agreements come in – a practical way for charities and […]
A New Era for Community Foundations
A New Era for Community Foundations: Major Reform Unlocks Exciting Opportunities A groundbreaking reform is reshaping the future of community philanthropy in Australia, paving the way for community foundations to thrive like never before. With the release of the Taxation Administration (Community Charity) Guidelines 2025, a newly established pathway to Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status […]
My Builder Seems To Have Left My Site: What Do I Do?
Renovating or building a home is a major investment – not just financially, but emotionally. So when a builder suddenly stops showing up, fails to respond to calls, or disappears altogether, it can be stressful and overwhelming. If you’re in this situation, you’re not alone; it happens, and has happened to, many more people than […]
Changes to Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering Laws – Here’s What It Means for Lawyers
After an 18-year delay, Australia is finally moving to expand its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (AML Act). The law, which currently applies to banks, casinos, and financial institutions, was always meant to extend to other professionals like lawyers and accountants—and now, that long-overdue change is happening. A new amendment is in its […]
Charities and the Upcoming Federal Election: What You Can and Can’t Do
With Australia’s federal election just around the corner, charities across the country are considering how they can advocate for their causes while staying within the law. Can they push for policy changes? Can they engage with political candidates? Where is the line between advocacy and partisanship? Let’s break it down. Charities and Advocacy: The Basics […]
How Do I Choose a Good Builder?
At Warlows Legal, we specialise in construction law and understand how crucial it is to find a reliable builder. With countless stories of homeowners frustrated by delays, cost overruns, or general unreliability, building a home can quickly turn from a dream into a legal nightmare. To help you avoid these pitfalls, we’ve compiled essential tips […]
Sleeping Duck: A Case of Shareholder Oppression?
The case of Sleeping Duck brings to light the principles of shareholder oppression. Picture this: You help run your family business. Your two siblings are majority shareholders, each owning 40%, while you are a minority shareholder with 20%. As a family-run business, key decisions are made informally, and for a while, this system works. But […]
A Rare Legal Victory in Family Trust Misconduct Case
Trani v Trani [2018] VSC 274 Snapshot Trani v Trani is a remarkable case that demonstrates that, even when correcting wrongs through the legal system seems difficult, there is always a path for the aggrieved party to seek justice. If you are a party to a discretionary trust and you have or have had problems […]
Fake Cases and AI: The Cautionary Tale of the Dayal Case
AI is everywhere these days, and it’s changing the way we work, live, and interact. With its rapid growth, it’s hard to ignore how AI boosts efficiency, increases knowledge, and becomes a normal part of many industries. At our law firm, we use legal AI tools to help with research and tasks, and we’ve seen […]