De facto, or ‘common law’ marriage, is where a couple are not officially married, but have been living together on a ‘genuine domestic basis.’ If a de facto couple splits up, the Court may treat them the same as a married couple going through a divorce.

We received judgment this week for a client in an adverse action in the FCC. The Employer, Edition Coffee Roasters, entered voluntary liquidation after proceedings commenced. The Court found the director of the company, Mr Jackson personally liable under s550 of the Fair Work Act for the damages to our clients employment.

Many believe slavery to be a thing of the past, in fact, Article 4 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948 states, “No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.” In the 21st Century, slavery has become more subtle but remains a global problem.

This is how many victims describe their existence and relationships under coercive control. A ‘strategic pattern of entrapment’ undermining self determination. Understanding coercive control is key to responding to common questions people ask about domestic violence like “why didn’t she just leave?"

Are your employees time frauds?

Family violence is a crisis in Australia. Often, women experiencing domestic violence and coercive control are vulnerable around the time of separation and divorce. 1 in 6 women have experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner. Unfortunately, this can happen in the presence of children, with 61% of women having children in their care when this violence occurs.

Gambling, reckless spending behaviour and ill-considered business dealings, giving away assets or free rent and underselling assets are all examples of behaviour we sometimes see in family law property matter and they also are circumstances the Court has determined as wasting the family finances and are taken into account by the Court in determining Family Law proceedings.

The safety and wellbeing of our beloved pets are understandably at the forefront of many of our minds at times. Domestic Violence NSW explained that perpetrators of domestic violence will often threaten to harm or kill animals to gain control in the relationship.

Are you or is someone in your family currently living in a granny flat?

Last month, the High Court rejected a decision in the Full Court of the Federal Court in regard to calculating entitlements to paid personal leave. This case is significant in that it highlights exactly how this type of leave is acquired and what specifies a ‘day’, clarifying the difference between a ‘working’ day and a ‘notional’ day. If an employee is in a position where they need to take personal or carer’s leave and the employer is unsure what they are entitled to, this article explains how this case affects that calculation.

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has announced that the minimum wage will be increasing by 1.75% and will apply to all Modern Awards. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) will be $753.80 or $19.84 per hour (an hourly increase of 35 cents). In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase in the NMW and modern award minimum wages seem modest in comparison to the 3% increase last July 2019. This article will explain these changes to the minimum wages and what employers need to do to.

61% of households in Australia own pets, According to Animal Medicines Australia, and most people consider their dog or cat as a member of their family .

So what happens when the family is broken up through divorce or separation. Who has custody over their pets and how is this decided by Australian courts?

We understand that consulting a lawyer for legal support can be a daunting prospect, particularly if you’ve never had to do so before. And it can be hard to navigate the process, to ensure you are getting the best value from your experience and will reach the desired outcome.

Wills are vital to ensure that all your affairs are appropriately managed, and all your wishes are upheld. However, while establishing a Will is important, it’s not a ‘set and forget’, it is equally as important to ensure your Will is maintained. Updating these documents regularly every time you experience a notable life change, including, but not limited to, marriages, babies, divorces, and so on and will ensure that your wishes are carried out if the worst should happen.

Recently, the President of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) released a statement regarding the FWC’s JobKeeper response to COVID-19. This article aims to highlight the key changes that might impact your workplace.

We are living in unprecedented times. With a rise in Family Law and domestic violence cases as our out of home movements and activities become more restricted and strain on our mental and economic well-being increases, understanding the changes being made in Australia to support those most vulnerable is vital.

On 7 April 2020, the Attorney-General Christian Porter announced a Government draft outlining three temporary key changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FWA) to adapt to the current situation regarding COVID-19.

To help you understand Stand Downs & Forced Leave, I’ve pulled together this guide to help you with some of the key questions you may have on this topic.

Did you know that up to 97% of court matters are resolved through a mediated settlement? So why not avoid the litigation process and mediate?

There are now more than 245,660 confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) worldwide, with 756 cases in Australia as of today, Friday, March 20th, 2020.