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The NSW Government has now passed the Regulation necessary to give legal effect to the Commercial Leasing Code of Conduct which was announced by the Federal Government in early April. New South Wales is the first state to enact the required legislative framework. The new Regulation applies to both retail and commercial Leases in NSW and, as foreshadowed, only applies to those tenants who are [...]
Tenants and landlords across the country are now negotiating the relevant changes to their arrangements following the release of the Commercial Leasing Code of Conduct. However, there is still some confusion about how the Code should be applied. Once a business is eligible for the JobKeeper program, the Code will apply and both parties will be required to negotiate a temporary rent reduction arrangement in [...]
To address the extraordinary circumstances faced by the Covid-19 pandemic, the NSW Government has introduced temporary measures to allow the witnessing of legal documents remotely. Video conferencing technology like Skype, WhatsApp, FaceTime and Zoom can now be used in the witnessing of important legal documents like wills, powers of attorney and statutory declarations under a new regulation made this morning by the Governor. Attorney General [...]
In a bid to ease the pressures being faced by residential Landlords and Tenants in the unfolding COVID-19 crisis, the NSW Government has passed a number of measures. For residential tenants in NSW, perhaps the most significant measure is a new amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act introducing the concept of a '6-month moratorium' for residential tenancies. For a period of 60 days, commencing 15 [...]
If you are contemplating separation or have separated, COVID-19 has not put a stop to your right to pursue a family law property settlement or implement parenting arrangements. Isolation in a place of hostility can be more than uncomfortable, it can be dangerous. If you or someone you know is at risk from family violence there are free resources immediately available to you for urgent [...]
National Cabinet Mandatory Code of Conduct The long awaited Code of Conduct has just been released by the Federal Government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to come into force in each Australian State and Territory very shortly, the Code effectively aims to balance the commercial interests of landlords and tenants during this time of crisis and impose a regime to 'share the burden'. [...]
News of the successful appeal by George Pell to the High Court of Australia and his release announced this morning has left many people with questions. Here are some answers to the common ones: How can you appeal a matter to the High Court? The High Court of Australia can hear any appeal but it is not required to. You may recall that High Court [...]
The Prime Minister has urged landlords and tenants to negotiate workable arrangements to see them through a period of at least the next 6 months. Our team can assist you in negotiations, or in the implementation of any agreement for the immediate future and the remainder of your lease. National Cabinet made further progress on the issue of commercial tenancies. They have agreed that a mandatory code [...]
As a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, many of our clients are contacting us in relation to their rights and obligations as: landlords or tenants and employers or employees There are many people looking to implement the Prime Minister’s recommendations to discuss matters together with a view to building a bridge over the troubled waters in which we find ourselves. We are helping many [...]
On 25 March 2020, the NSW Government introduced an emergency Bill to Parliament consisting of amendments to existing laws in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This bill comprises the following amendments: Court Procedures The bill amends the Criminal Procedure Act 1986, enabling a judge to order that a relevant witness can pre-record their evidence before the trial. The bill expands scope for judge-only [...]
