Financial resources are a significant aspect of property law matters in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Continuing on from our previous articles on financial resources, we wanted to take a look at the recent Family Law case of Trivedi & Awasthi (No. 3), which involved an overseas pension and whether it was an asset or a financial resource.

Mediation is a process where an independent person, known as a Mediator is emerged and assists the parties to identify and review options with the goal to resolve the dispute between parties without litigation.

From 26 August 2024, employees will formally be given the right to disconnect from all workplace communications outside of regular working hours.

On 6 May 2024, a number of major changes will be introduced in Australia that will dramatically affect family law. These changes mark a significant ‘overhaul’ of the family law system and will have wide-ranging implications for all those who are involved with it.

In Family Law, the intersection between legal procedures, psychology, and social science plays a pivotal role in shaping the outcomes of parenting disputes. Family Law stands apart from other areas of law as greater insights from social sciences are considered and it can be pivotal to the outcome.

Union officials with a valid permit have a right to enter a workplace to hold discussions with employees or investigate suspected contraventions of the Fair Work Act and other instruments such as awards and enterprise agreements.

What happens if these officials hinder or obstruct your workplace?

Many people find it difficult to understand the difference between time parents spend with the children and parental responsibility. The presumption of shared parental responsibility in the current family law regime caused confusion and conflict between many parents.

In recent legal developments, a class action lawsuit has been initiated against the fast-food giant’s employment law compliance.

From 1 August 2023, all businesses are required to pay their employees up to 10-days paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave. In November 2022, the Australian Government made significant changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 (“the Act”) and the National Employment Standards in November 2022 through the Fair Work Amendment (Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Act 2022. This is an increase from the previous entitlement under the National Employment Standards which only entitled employees to 5 days of unpaid leave.

A blended family matter on Sydney’s Northern Beaches

Family law matters can be complicated and emotionally challenging, and for Michelle (name changed for privacy), her journey began as no exception.

Michelle had initially been married with two children. After that relationship ended, the pair shared custody of the kids as she began a relationship and soon married a new man. With two kids of his own, together they lived as a blended family in a home they bought on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Surveillance in the workplace, is largely an accepted and understood part of the Australian workplace in some way, shape or form. The most common form of workplace surveillance would be by camera but it is not limited to this.

There has recently been a change to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) that all employers and business owners need to be aware of.

Domestic abuse manifests in various ways, from physical and verbal abuse to financial exploitation. A less visible but equally harmful form is coercive control, where one party uses manipulative tactics to dominate their partner. This behavior, though challenging to identify, can range from threats and surveillance to social isolation and financial manipulation.

A recent Victorian Supreme court case showcasing how unconscious bias can lead to legal action against an employer under anti-discrimination legislation. It highlights the need for employers to be aware of potential grounds for anti-discrimination lawsuits and take proactive measures to prevent and address discrimination, especially in light of recent legislative changes imposing a positive duty on employers to eliminate unlawful sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, through reasonable and proportionate measures.

Learn exactly what financial abuse entails, how to identify if you or someone you know is experiencing financial abuse and the steps that can be taken to address the situation.

A recent Fair Work Commission decision over in the ACT allowed MSS Security to use telephone recordings of an employee to defend the employee’s unfair dismissal claim. Their decision hinged on the inclusion of a surveillance clause in the employee’s contract. While ACT based, the case does highlight the importance of understanding your state’s legislation about workplace surveillance so that you can feel protected at work and can raise any concerns you have about privacy and safety.