Building, extending or renovating a home is quite often the second largest investment a person can make once they have purchased their land or home.  A review of the domestic building contract can identify and solve issues in the contract, which may in turn save a homeowner thousands of dollars and unnecessary stress in the […]
The post Should I get my Domestic/ Home Building Contract reviewed by a Lawyer? appeared first on Coulter Roache.

From your regular fitness club to your favourite e-commerce page (or even your local law firm!) most organisations can be observed to be complying with the Federal legislation that governs the handling of personal information within Australia. In complying with these frameworks, organisations are required to publish their privacy policies in a clearly expressed manner.  […]
The post Privacy Law in Australia – what you need to know appeared first on Coulter Roache.

Among the many negatives that COVID-19 has brought to the business environment, there shines a few examples of progress and positive change.  No doubt you will have by now read articles about (and experienced for yourself) the benefits of working from home, and the positive impact this can have on flexible work arrangements, lifestyle and […]
The post Changes to the Corporations Act provide flexibility for company meetings and documents appeared first on Coulter Roache.

We have taken a fresh approach to meet strong demand and ensure clients can continue to access legal services safely and with ease during these challenging times, with the introduction of drive-through signing of wills and powers of attorney. Leveraging the existing, innovative online platforms Coulter Roache currently offers, including a strong partnership with Settify […]
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We have taken a fresh approach to meet strong demand and ensure clients can continue to access legal services safely and with ease during these challenging times, with the introduction of drive-through signing of wills and powers of attorney. Leveraging the existing, innovative online platforms Coulter Roache currently offers, including a strong partnership with Settify […]
The post Drive-through signing of Wills & Powers of Attorney appeared first on Coulter Roache.

In turbulent times it is often tempting to look for avenues to protect your assets and business.  One such path may be to restructure an ailing business, and to start afresh with a new entity.  However, the pitfalls of such a process can be severe, with a poorly managed transition or a dishonest transition falling […]
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What is a Solicitors Certificate? A Solicitor’s Certificate is a certificate of Independent Legal Advice to a borrower or guarantor in relation to a loan.  In providing legal advice, a Solicitors Certificate confirms to a lender that a borrower or guarantor has received independent legal advice and understands the potential liabilities and risks involved in […]
The post What is a Solicitors Certificate and why don’t solicitors just “sign off” on them? appeared first on Coulter Roache.

Here is what we know: On the 9 July 2020, the Morrison Government announced that Australia will be extending their visas for eligible Hong Kong residents – this includes students, skilled workers and businesses. This will include a pathway to permanent residency. What does this mean for Hong Kong residents already in Australia? It was […]
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We are both thrilled to be recognised and humbled to be named as a Finalist in the Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards 2020 for Regional/Suburban Law Firm of the Year! This recognition reinforces the strength of our service and the dedication of our people in connecting with our community and engaging with our clients. Now […]
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The requirement for goods and services tax (“GST”) to be withheld at settlement by a purchaser of certain new residential premises and potential residential land was introduced on 1 July 2018 (“the GST Withholding Provisions”).  The GST Withholding Provisions require purchasers of certain residential premises or potential residential land to withhold 1/11th (or 7% – […]
The post GST Withholding Transitional Provisions end on 30 June 2020 appeared first on Coulter Roache.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Anne O’Loughlin to Managing Principal, as from 1 July 2020. “While at present we all find ourselves in challenging times, I am excited about the future of Coulter Roache and I am looking forward to leading our team into the future” said Anne of her new appointment. […]
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As we are all aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a great deal of stress and uncertainly for families in many different ways. It is, therefore, unsurprising that the pandemic may have impacted your parenting arrangements, particularly in relation to children moving between households. There can be a great deal confusion about whether children can […]
The post Contravention applications during COVID-19 appeared first on Coulter Roache.

Contracts provide businesses with the clarity they require to ensure all parties to the contract deliver on what has been agreed.  Caution should always be exercised when drafting contracts to ensure that the unfair contract provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (‘the Act’) are followed.  Whilst it may be tempting to draft contracts […]
The post Unfair contract terms – helpful hints appeared first on Coulter Roache.

When a person dies, any assets in the personal name of the deceased forms what is known as the ‘estate’. A claim may arise against the estate of a deceased person if a person named in the Will (or a person named in a previous Will of the deceased) has grounds for challenging the validity […]
The post I don’t think the Will is valid – what can I do? appeared first on Coulter Roache.

Over recent months we have published a number of articles and updates for Landlords and Tenants about the leasing Regulations to apply in light of COVID-19.  The Victorian Small Business Commissioner (VSBC) and the Victorian Government have now provided further guidance on the interpretation of the Regulations, being the COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) (Commercial Leases […]
The post Further guidance for Landlords and Tenants on the COVID-19 Rent Relief Regulations appeared first on Coulter Roache.

Preparing Enduring Powers of Attorney and Appointments of Medical Treatment Decision Makers can make it simple for you to appoint loved ones or trusted friends to make financial, personal and medical decisions on your behalf. What decisions can an Attorney make? There are two primary types of Enduring Powers of Attorney: Financial and Personal. A […]
The post Do I need Powers of Attorney, and if so, what kind? appeared first on Coulter Roache.

The Federal Government introduced its wage subsidy plan as a response to the COVID-19 global pandemic on 9 April 2020.  The scheme purports to incentivise employers to keep their workers employed with wage subsidies. With the JobKeeper subsidy came changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 as part of the Coronavirus economic response.  The new […]
The post JobKeeper – a lifeline for Australian businesses but not without its traps appeared first on Coulter Roache.

You may not be aware but there are time limits that apply to applications for the division of property following a divorce or separation. This is important because missing these deadlines may make matters substantially harder which I will discuss later in the article. What are the time limits for applying for a division of […]

The post Don’t wait too long to apply for the division of your property after divorce or separation. appeared first on Coulter Roache.

Since the COVID-19 Pandemic was declared, Landlords and Tenants of commercial and retail leases have been encouraged to negotiate in good faith in relation to rent relief to address the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Whilst the federal government released a mandatory code of conduct for commercial and retail leases (Code) on 7 April 2020, […]

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At Coulter Roache, we recognise the everyday challenges that may arise when separated parents share the care of their children.  Co-parenting relationships can be hard to navigate at the best of times and require clear communication.  In current times with the restrictions imposed as a result of COVID-19, the co-parenting relationship may be difficult. A […]

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