-
16 May, 2025
We are delighted to announce that seven of our lawyers have been recognised in the 2026 Edition of the Best Lawyers in Australia. As well ... -
27 Aug, 2024
The July HR Breakfast Club featured a compelling roundtable discussion between HR professionals and Legal Director John Wilson. Due to the ... -
08 Jul, 2024
In June’s HR Breakfast Club, we hosted guest speaker, Simone Ey from Citron Consulting. Her engaging presentation focused on psychosocial ... -
05 Jun, 2024
In May’s HR Breakfast Club, Ash Borg of the Employment Law & Investigations team discussed the laws around casual conversion, and how ... -
01 May, 2024
In recent years, ‘wage theft’ has featured prominently in the headlines with reports stating that underpayments have reached ‘record highs. ... -
29 Apr, 2024
In this month’s complimentary HR Breakfast Club Forum, Legal Director Gabrielle Sullivan presented a valuable exploration into recent ... -
21 Mar, 2024
In this month’s complimentary HR Breakfast Club Forum, Legal Director Gabrielle Sullivan presented a valuable exploration into recent ... -
19 Mar, 2024
Ensure your business's trademarks are accurately classified with IP Australia's new guidance, especially regarding emerging technologies ... -
14 Mar, 2024
Honda Australia faces $6 million in penalties for misleading customers about dealership closures, highlighting ACCC's enforcement of ... -
29 Feb, 2024
Are you and your business partners locked in a dispute, where the mutual trust and confidence that underpins the business relationship has ... -
26 Feb, 2024
In what was the first HR Breakfast Club of 2024, John Wilson, Legal Director of the Employment Law & Investigations team at BAL Lawyers ... -
12 Feb, 2024
Explore strategies to address the gap in housing options with insights from our upcoming event. Join us to discuss how to achieve more with ... -
08 Feb, 2024
Explore the benefits of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods like mediation, conciliation, and arbitration for efficient, ... -
24 Jan, 2024
Explore the benefits of co-operative businesses, including equal participation, shared values, and flexible structures, for your new ... -
15 Jan, 2024
In most standard form construction contracts, there are clauses that outline when and how payments can be made, and what to do if you do ... -
09 Jan, 2024
Explore the pros and cons of selling shares versus assets in business transactions to make informed decisions and mitigate risks. -
04 Dec, 2023
The commencement of proceedings against another person or business requires the lodging party to inform that person or business about the ... -
08 Nov, 2023
Discover the crucial role of expert witnesses in litigation, including their duties, admissibility of evidence, and relevant legal ... -
26 Oct, 2023
A recent court ruling emphasizes the necessity of fulfilling all lease conditions for the valid exercise of renewal options in commercial ... -
13 Oct, 2023
Co-operatives may need to raise capital, from time to time, to meet the needs of its business, to deliver value to members and carry out ... -
09 Oct, 2023
Arbitration is an alternative dispute resolution process in which parties engage one or more qualified arbitrators to make a determination ... -
04 Sep, 2023
Where you have an estate or interest in land, lodging a caveat may be something you want to pursue in order to protect your interests. ... -
22 Aug, 2023
The use of ‘trade credit’ or ‘supplier credit’ has become increasingly prevalent in modern commerce, particularly in industries where there ... -
21 Aug, 2023
In August’s HR Breakfast Club Forum, Dogu Yesildag of the Employment Law & Investigations team discussed the dangers of refusing an ... -
07 Aug, 2023
Small businesses and consumers alike often face lengthy contracts when purchasing goods or services – sometimes, with unfair terms hidden ... -
25 Jul, 2023
In July’s HR Breakfast Club Forum, Rebecca Richardson of the Employment Law & Investigations team discussed when and how employers can ... -
21 Jul, 2023
Explore effective strategies for co-operatives to raise funds, including share issues, debentures, and CCUs, to support growth and member ... -
11 Jul, 2023
Discover the key differences between Community Title and Unit Title Schemes, including pros and cons to consider before purchasing a ... -
07 Jul, 2023
Employers must act swiftly to comply with new obligations to prevent workplace sexual harassment by December 2023, or face significant ... -
29 Jun, 2023
Understand the essentials of Shareholders Agreements to minimize disputes and protect your rights as a shareholder in a business venture. -
26 Jun, 2023
Explore the benefits and process of mediation as an effective alternative to litigation for resolving disputes and preserving relationships. -
22 Jun, 2023
In June’s HR Breakfast Club Forum, BAL Lawyer, Dogu Yesildag of the Employment Law & Investigations Team, discussed the importance of ... -
21 Jun, 2023
A company is more than just its board of directors – there are many key figures making management decisions on a day-to-day basis that ... -
02 Jun, 2023
Today, most businesses have an online presence for the sale of their goods and/or services and will have (or should have) some sort of ... -
31 May, 2023
What happens when the settlement achieved at trial is not a better outcome than an offer made in pre-trial negotiations? In this situation, ... -
22 May, 2023
In May’s HR Breakfast Club Forum, BAL Legal Director, Gabrielle Sullivan of the Employment & Investigation Team, discussed the ... -
19 May, 2023
Dying without a Will is known as dying intestate. The law sets out how a deceased person’s assets will be distributed if they die ... -
11 May, 2023
Whether it’s a small business with just a few employees, or a corporate giant that stretches across states, a company’s operations are ... -
04 May, 2023
As your business grows, it is inevitable that it will face a range of challenges. Yet to reach its potential heights, it must adapt and ... -
24 Apr, 2023
In April’s HR Breakfast Club Forum, BAL Managing Legal Director, John Wilson of the Employment & Investigation Team, reflected on the ... -
24 Apr, 2023
We are delighted to announce that five of our lawyers have been recognised in the 2024 Edition of the Best Lawyers in Australia. -
20 Apr, 2023
A CHOICE survey discovered that the majority of Australians report experiencing issues with their new cars within the first five years, ... -
13 Apr, 2023
Commercial leases are legally binding agreements between a property owner and a party that has agreed to occupy the property. The property ... -
11 Apr, 2023
2023 is predicted to be a big year for governance as reforms sweep the international stage and in the midst of social, ecological, and ... -
30 Mar, 2023
Prospective Plaintiffs seeking to vindicate their reputation in an action for defamation must now consider the threshold concept of serious ... -
20 Mar, 2023
In March’s HR Breakfast Club Forum, BAL Legal Director, Gabrielle Sullivan of the Employment & Investigation Team, discussed a series ... -
07 Mar, 2023
Imagine you have been scrolling through endless property listings for weeks on end, until one home catches your eye. You inspect the ... -
03 Mar, 2023
In the 1960s, hotels in the United States began encouraging the reuse of towels to “save the environment”. While this sentiment was ... -
22 Feb, 2023
In November’s HR Breakfast Club Forum, BAL Lawyers, Dogu Yesildag within Employment & Investigations Team, discussed the reforms to ... -
09 Feb, 2023
In the unfortunate circumstance that you lose a loved one and are a beneficiary, it is common to feel overwhelmed and confused about the ... -
03 Feb, 2023
In Australia we rely heavily on the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) to create statutory protections for our personal information, but our current ... -
30 Jan, 2023
In November of 2022, the Australian Parliament approved Privacy Legislation Amendments that aim to increase penalties and provide greater ... -
25 Jan, 2023
It is nearly the end of January, and you are rummaging through a box of lightly used gift bags and carefully opened wrapping paper, both of ... -
19 Jan, 2023
The courts in Australia recognise the importance for individuals to be able to negotiate and mediate disputes in a confidential setting and ... -
13 Jan, 2023
The Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (ACT) (‘the Act’) is legislation that governs renting within the ACT. -
10 Jan, 2023
The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022 signifies the most substantial changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 ... -
21 Dec, 2022
BAL recently acted for Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council in a novel case recently confirmed on appeal in favour of the Council. -
06 Dec, 2022
Other than superannuation, a home is usually the most substantial asset a person will own. It is important to consider what will happen to ... -
![Existing use rights and Bennett v Hawkesbury City Council [2022] NSWLEC 1630](https://ballawyers.com.au/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Old-house-heritage-land.jpg)
02 Dec, 2022
Determining the existence and scope of existing use rights can be complex. It typically requires examining historical documents and ... -
30 Nov, 2022
Who can register with the ACNC, and what required procedures must they follow? To be registered as a charity under the Australian Charities ... -
22 Nov, 2022
In November’s HR Breakfast Club Forum, BAL Lawyer within Employment & Investigations Team, Dogu Yesildag, discussed the proposed ... -
08 Nov, 2022
Whilst interest rates have remained historically low over the last several years, the recent increase in interest rates has seen household ... -
24 Oct, 2022
Can I fire you? It is a thorny question that permeates all workplaces when it comes to handling workers who have just been injured. -
18 Oct, 2022
In March of 2022, Gina Cass-Gottlieb became the new chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), concluding Rod ... -
13 Oct, 2022
The majority of Wills are “simple” Wills because the named beneficiaries receive their inheritance directly. For many people, simple Wills ... -
29 Sep, 2022
The common law principles surrounding the concept of publication in relation to the tort of defamation were originally developed in the age ... -
19 Sep, 2022
Our September HR Breakfast Club featured a presentation from Mariano Rossetto. Mariano is a director of forensic services at Vincents – a ... -
14 Sep, 2022
We are delighted to announce that the Doyle’s Guide has recognised BAL Lawyers as one of the ACT’s Leading Law Firms, ranked as first tier ... -
01 Sep, 2022
You’ve just completed a successful purchase at auction – congratulations! We understand that the process of an auction can be stressful. ... -
24 Aug, 2022
In the August HR Breakfast Club Forum, BAL’s Senior Associate within the Employment Law & Investigations team, Rebecca Richardson, ... -
15 Aug, 2022
You are in the process of selling your home or purchasing property and have just exchanged contracts, congratulations! Now what? Should you ... -
09 Aug, 2022
In Kozarov v Victoria [2022] HCA 12 (“Kozarov”), the High Court of Australia (HCA) handed down a decision that will likely have significant ... -
25 Jul, 2022
In the July HR Breakfast Club Forum, BAL’s Senior Associate within the Employment Law & Investigations team, Rebecca Richardson, ... -
30 Jun, 2022
Buying property in 2022 can seem like a daunting task. Much has been made of the surge in property prices and for many first-home buyers, ... -
16 Jun, 2022
When should I send a letter of demand? A ‘letter of demand’ is a letter formally requesting payment of a debt. For example, a creditor can ... -
23 May, 2022
Kinloch v Manzione Kinloch v Manzione [2022] ACTSC 76 was recently handed down by Kennett J in favour of the plaintiffs, represented by BAL ... -
23 May, 2022
In our May HR Breakfast Club seminar, previous Legal Director of the Employment & Investigations team, Gabrielle Sullivan, and guest ... -
09 May, 2022
A recent decision of the NSW Land and Environment Court serves as a reminder that the Court takes the deliberate flouting of consent ... -
27 Apr, 2022
Businesses are operating in more litigious times, which means each party need to ensure they have appropriate protections in place. ... -
21 Apr, 2022
We are pleased to announce that five of our lawyers have been recognised in the 2023 Edition of the Best Lawyers in Australia, released ... -
13 Apr, 2022
Even the best-laid plans can go astray. Nowhere does this age-old saying seem more appropriate than in the context of a joint venture or a ... -
07 Apr, 2022
On 17 March 2022 the Governor-General signed off on amendments to the Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes – Franchising) Regulation ... -
28 Mar, 2022
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has started enforcing repayment of debts again after temporarily halting its pursuit of unpaid taxes ... -
25 Mar, 2022
A recent decision of the NSW Land and Environment Court has highlighted the risk to councils of not following the correct process to ... -
21 Mar, 2022
This essential guide will assist local councils with the making of Interim Heritage Orders (IHOs) under the Heritage Act 1977 (the Act).[1] -
21 Mar, 2022
In this HR Breakfast Club webinar, BAL’s previous Legal Director of Employment Law & Investigations team, Gabrielle Sullivan, answered ... -
18 Feb, 2022
Rebecca Richardson and Ellen Davies of BAL’s Employment Law and Investigations team at this month’s HR Breakfast Club discussed: -
21 Nov, 2021
In the second part of the conversation, BAL’s Legal Directors of the Employment & Investigations team, Gabrielle Sullivan and John ... -
21 Oct, 2021
As lockdown in the ACT begins to lift, many employers are asking whether they need to or should mandate vaccinations before their employees ... -
15 Oct, 2021
To celebrate the Breakfast Club’s 5th birthday, Legal Director Gabrielle Sullivan and Law Clerk Madeleine Castles facilitated a FAQ style ... -
28 Jul, 2021
At the July HR Breakfast Club, Lisa Keeling, Principal Consultant of legal recruiting firm Beaumont&Beaumont, offered intriguing ... -
20 Jul, 2021
Hoarding programs such as Hoarders and The Hoarder Next Door have become quite popular in recent times, helping the average citizen ... -
20 Jul, 2021
The law recognises that the loss of a valuable commercial opportunity is a compensable loss. The principle was most famously recognised in ... -
20 Jul, 2021
Background In 2009, a (then) 15 year old boy ran across a road after his two friends in Richardson, when he was tragically struck by a ... -
20 Jul, 2021
Bradley Allen Love recently obtained a six figure judgment debt for a tenant who had been locked out of his Fyshwick premises, unlawfully, ... -
20 Jul, 2021
Amidst ongoing catastrophic bushfires, those who have lost their home may find themselves unable to build due to underinsurance. Adding to ... -
20 Jul, 2021
In the recent ACT Supreme Court decision of Hargrave v Singh [2019] ACTSC 139, the court considered the culpability of an intoxicated ... -
14 Jul, 2021
Mutual enterprises have, traditionally, been restricted in the ways they could raise capital to avoid triggering the demutualisation ... -
09 Jul, 2021
Since its passing on 9 December 2018, controversy has tainted the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and ... -
09 Jul, 2021
The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) has recently released a report following their inquiry into wine grape sector ... -
09 Jul, 2021
Changes to gift card laws came into effect late in 2019 that impacted the issue and use of gift cards. Just in time for Christmas shopping, ... -
09 Jul, 2021
If you are a director of a small company, it is likely that you have signed a personal guarantee, perhaps several. Whether or not ... -
08 Jul, 2021
The issue of how to approach the protection of intellectual property (sometimes referred to as “IP“) can often be a source of difficulty ... -
05 Jul, 2021
8:00 – 9:00am on Friday 16 July 2021 BAL Boardroom, Level 9, 40 Marcus Clarke Street -
05 Jul, 2021
In June, Anca Costin, Barrister from Blackburn Chambers, presented an insight into the wildly complex area of general protections claims, ... -
24 May, 2021
8:00 – 9:00am on Friday 18 June 2021 BAL Boardroom, Level 9, 40 Marcus Clarke Street -
24 May, 2021
In May’s edition of the HR Breakfast Club, BAL Lawyers Andrew Chakrabarty delivered an engaging presentation on ‘Handling misconduct in the ... -
19 May, 2021
Relevant instruments When dealing with staff misconduct and discipline (including workplace bullying), you must comply with a number of ... -
19 May, 2021
For the February Webinar of the HR Breakfast Club NSW Councils Edition, Gabrielle Sullivan of BAL Lawyers explored the issue of vaccines ... -
19 May, 2021
In the August HR Breakfast Club Webinar, Gabrielle Sullivan spoke about the Local Government (State) Award 2020 and the practical ... -
19 May, 2021
Guest speaker Chris Wheeler presented on complaints management and procedural fairness for the November Webinar of HR Breakfast Club NSW ... -
10 May, 2021
In the first HR Breakfast Club of the year, Gabrielle Sullivan of BAL Lawyers explored the issue of vaccines and working from home as an ... -
10 May, 2021
This month’s HRBC tackled the evolving law and issues around casual employment in Australia, particularly regarding long term or ... -
10 May, 2021
Our October HR Breakfast Club featured Anna Phillips and Riley Berry of BAL Lawyers tackling the topic of cybersecurity and privacy in the ... -
10 May, 2021
In May’s HR Breakfast Club NSW Council Edition, Legal Director Gabrielle Sullivan from BAL Lawyers presented on the Local Government ... -
10 May, 2021
In our April HR Breakfast Club, BAL Legal Director Gabrielle Sullivan discussed the ins and outs of redundancies – what they are, when they ... -
10 May, 2021
In the final HR Breakfast Club of the year, Gabrielle Sullivan, Legal Director from BAL Lawyers, presented on the best and worst of ... -
10 May, 2021
In our April HR Breakfast Club, BAL Legal Director Gabrielle Sullivan discussed the ins and outs of redundancies – what they are, when they ... -
10 May, 2021
In July’s virtual HR Breakfast Club, the benefits and challenges of flexible working were presented by Rebecca Richardson, Associate at ... -
10 May, 2021
Our March edition of HR Breakfast Club featured BAL Legal Director Gabrielle Sullivan and Law Clerk Madeleine Castles, who engaged in a ... -
10 May, 2021
In our latest HR Breakfast Club webinar, guest speaker Kieran Pender from the International Bar Association (IBA) spoke about recent ... -
05 May, 2021
Is sexual harassment in the workplace unlawful? Yes — section 28B of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) renders it unlawful to sexually ... -
05 May, 2021
This factsheet introduces you to the workplace surveillance legislation that is in place in the ACT and NSW. -
05 May, 2021
Workplace injuries and workers’ compensation claims are often the cause of much tension amongst business owners, HR Managers and employees. ... -
05 May, 2021
We have contracts available for both Modern Award or Enterprise Agreement and Employment Contracts not covered by a Modern Award. We have ... -
05 May, 2021
This factsheet will introduce you to the reportable conduct scheme in the NSW. -
05 May, 2021
References, surveillance and privacy are all topics that affect every work place. It is not uncommon for organisations to keep an eye on ... -
05 May, 2021
This is a scheme which obliges certain ACT-based employers who provide services to children, to report allegations made against their ... -
05 May, 2021
This factsheet will introduce you to the compulsory reporting scheme which is in place in the aged care sector. It will explain the meaning ... -
05 May, 2021
This factsheet will introduce you to the concept of “sham contracting” and explain the Fair Work Act’s prohibition on sham contracting. ... -
05 May, 2021
This factsheet will introduce you to the legislation underpinning the topics of staff misconduct, discipline and workplace bullying in the ... -
05 May, 2021
This factsheet will introduce you to the reportable conduct scheme in Victoria. -
05 May, 2021
What are “reasonable adjustments”? Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), employers must make all reasonable adjustments to ... -
05 May, 2021
In NSW, matters relating to the recording, storage, and access to health records are covered by the Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act ... -
05 May, 2021
In the ACT, matters relating to the recording, storage, and access to health records are covered by the Health Records (Privacy and Access) ... -
05 May, 2021
Can an employee be directed to attend a medical assessment? Generally, yes, provided that the employer has good reason for doing so. -
05 May, 2021
Relevant legislation Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009 (Cth) Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (ACT) Act 2010 ... -
05 May, 2021
The Aged Care Act (1997) places a responsibility aged care organisations to ensure that the ‘key personnel’ on their staff are not ... -
05 May, 2021
Relevant Legislation Discrimination is a complex area of the law. There is a prohibition against certain forms of discrimination in the ... -
05 May, 2021
What are Modern Awards? A modern award is a legally binding instrument which, along with the National Employment Standards (‘the NES’), ... -
05 May, 2021
Misconduct can negatively affect your workplace culture, and can cost your business money and time. Here is some information and resources ... -
05 May, 2021
Essential considerations for HR managers before initiating workplace investigations, including when to investigate and whether to do so ... -
05 May, 2021
This factsheet will introduce you to when the law does, and doesn’t, consider volunteers employees and their rights under employment law. -
01 May, 2021
What is bullying and harassment? Under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), a worker is bullied at work if they are subject to repeated ... -
14 Apr, 2021
In this episode, James Judge speaks with Commissioner Peter Hampton from the Fair Work Commission and Rebecca Richardson of BAL Lawyers ... -
13 Apr, 2021
Buying real estate in Canberra – the first thing you will notice is that you don’t actually buy the Land. The Australian Capital Territory ... -
13 Apr, 2021
Trustees must look forward towards the risks on the horizon. Proactive responses to emerging issues are essential to fulfil the duties of a ... -
13 Apr, 2021
In every Australian State and Territory, Family Provision legislation exists to allow a natural child to bring a claim for provision (or ... -
13 Apr, 2021
On today’s episode we work our way through a variety of practical, straightforward and real ideas to maintain wellbeing in the workplace. ... -
13 Apr, 2021
Penguins not only endure, but thrive in, some of the harshest environments on the planet – which is why they have a lot to teach us in ... -
13 Apr, 2021
Traditionally, the ability to work from home as been viewed as something of a luxury, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, reports are ... -
13 Apr, 2021
Workplace complaints become complex for several reasons, including due to the small percentage of complainants who behave in ways that are, ... -
13 Apr, 2021
What better time to write about organs, bodies and burials than now as we approach Halloween. In June last year I wrote an article which ... -
13 Apr, 2021
11:00 – 12pm on Wednesday 26 May 2021 Online via Zoom meeting Victim Blaming, Fear and Shads of Grey: Sexual Harassment Complaints Handling ... -
13 Apr, 2021
In a recent decision, the NSW Court of Appeal has clarified that, while an application to modify the plans accompanying a construction ... -
13 Apr, 2021
Updated March 2020: Many of our Council clients will be faced with inquiries from people who are rebuilding after the NSW bushfires. This ... -
13 Apr, 2021
Updated June 2020: A development consent can add significant value to land and can be costly to obtain. It is therefore important to ... -
13 Apr, 2021
Emotional Intelligence has been discussed amongst psychologists and researchers for decades. It is a set of skills that can be practiced ... -
25 Mar, 2021
The acceptance of expert evidence provided by a Council employee by a Commissioner of the Land and Environment Court was unsuccessfully ... -
13 Dec, 2019
Today’s episode revisits the issue of free speech in the workplace. This follows the recent outcome of the Michaela Banerji case in the ... -
29 Nov, 2019
In this episode, we’re discussing non-disclosure agreements, which are now very common when employment ends in contentious circumstances ... -
29 Oct, 2019
Today on the HR Breakfast Club podcast, our guest host James Judge sits down with Gus McLachlan to talk about leadership in the digital ... -
29 Jul, 2019
On episode 10 of the HR Breakfast Club podcast, Genevieve Jacobs, Janice Hadgraft and James Judge discuss the intersection between domestic ... -
29 May, 2019
On episode 9 of the HR Breakfast Club podcast, Genevieve Jacobs, Gabrielle Sullivan and Allan McLean discuss performance management; an ... -
29 Mar, 2019
On episode 8 of the HR Breakfast Club podcast, Genevieve Jacobs, Ian Meagher and Pauline Hugler discuss litigation stress; a regrettable ... -
29 Dec, 2018
On episode 7 of the HR Breakfast Club podcast, Genevieve Jacobs and Kieran Pender discuss whistle blowers and the right to free speech for ... -
29 Sep, 2018
On episode 6 of the HR Breakfast Club podcast, Genevieve Jacobs, James Macken and Tony Chase discuss vaccinations and drug testing in the ... -
29 Aug, 2018
On episode 5 of the HR Breakfast Club podcast, Genevieve Jacobs, Kate Leonard, and Lyndal Ryan discuss bullying in the workplace, looking ... -
29 Jul, 2018
On episode 4 of the HR Breakfast Club podcast, Genevieve Jacobs, Lauren Sayers, and Dr Elizabeth Hill discuss what women really want from ... -
29 Jun, 2018
On episode 3 of the HR Breakfast Club podcast, Genevieve Jacobs, Gabrielle Sullivan, and Sonia Lynch look at High Performing Organisations. ... -
29 May, 2018
On episode 2 of the HR Breakfast Club podcast, Genevieve Jacobs, Rebecca Richardson and Helen Parrett look at Unfair Dismissal and discuss ... -
28 May, 2018
Today on the HR Breakfast Club podcast our host Genevieve Jacobs sits down with barrister, Kellie Edwards and Scott Diprose. They take a ...