ArticleNSW Government encourages more transactions onlineThe changes suggest that the NSW Government acknowledges the need to modernise and to embrace a more digital culture.AustraliaGovernment, Public SectorCarroll & O'Dea
ArticleAustralian Immigration Law: What is changing in 2022? (Part 2) – New visa options for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders; Australian Agriculture visaPart 2 of a summary of the upcoming changes anticipated for Australian immigration law in 2022.AustraliaImmigrationCarroll & O'Dea
ArticleHigh Court Rejects Novel Commonwealth Defence To Unlawful Immigration DetentionIn Abdel-Hady v Commonwealth of Australia [2026] HCA 17, the High Court unanimously rejected a novel defence advanced by the Commonwealth to a claim for false imprisonment arising from immigration detention later...AustraliaImmigrationCarroll & O'Dea
ArticleAustralian High Court supports statutory stay on enforcement outside of Australia of Australian judgmentsThe Court found that the Bankruptcy Act 1966 is a "stay" for the purposes of s15(2) of the Foreign Judgments Act 1991.AustraliaInternational LawCarroll & O'Dea
ArticleOverseas Aid Gift Deduction Scheme: ReviewThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is reviewing the Overseas Aid Gift Deduction Scheme Guidelines and Processes.AustraliaInternational LawCarroll & O'Dea
ArticleClaims of self-incrimination by sole director in response to an order for production issued to a companyThe production of documents was held to be by the person as an agent of the company, not on his or her own behalf.AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & ArbitrationCarroll & O'Dea
ArticleConsequential Surgery And The Meaning Of “Injury” Under The Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017: Mandoukos v Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd [2026] NSWSC 911The NSW Supreme Court has clarified the definition of 'injury' under the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017, examining whether surgical removal of bone necessitated by accident-related injuries constitutes a separate bodily injury. The case explores the distinction between therapeutic intent and physical consequences when determining injury classification for compensation purposes. AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & ArbitrationCarroll & O'Dea
ArticleLegal assistance for cyclists – Hit & RunIf you are injured, you can still make a claim if you don't know the registration number of the vehicle that hit you.AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & ArbitrationCarroll & O'Dea
ArticlePalmer v Allianz Australia Insurance Limited [2025] NSWPIC 440; (28 August 2025) – assessing reasonableness in due inquiry and searchClaimants must make genuine & timely efforts to identify an unknown vehicle before claiming against the Nominal Defendant.AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & ArbitrationCarroll & O'Dea
ArticleCupid hacked - privacy breachedA report into allegations of hacking of personal information of users of the Cupid dating web site, has been completed.AustraliaPrivacyCarroll & O'Dea
ArticleChanges to the NSW Home Building Act Statutory Warranties SchemeThese amendments to the NSW HBA will abolish the current distinction between structural and non-structural defects.AustraliaReal Estate and ConstructionCarroll & O'Dea
ArticleDisclosure of Building Works in a Contract for Sale of LandWhen acting for vendors we generally ask whether any building works have been undertaken to the property.AustraliaReal Estate and ConstructionCarroll & O'Dea
ArticleEngaging lawyers: A primer for owners corporations or a strata committeeAn owners corporation should first obtain a resolution passed at a general meeting to approve engaging legal services.AustraliaReal Estate and ConstructionCarroll & O'Dea
ArticleLessor disclosure at the time of the assignment of a leaseIf lessee who is assigning their lease requests it, lessors must now provide an up to date disclosure statement within 14 days.AustraliaReal Estate and ConstructionCarroll & O'Dea
ArticleNegotiating leases: retail shop lease add-ons like carparking and storage can fall under the Retail Leases ActWe draw your attention to the findings of a recent case. The case has important ramifications for all shop centre owners and managers and should be kept in mind when negotiating leases.AustraliaReal Estate and ConstructionCarroll & O'Dea
ArticleReasonable Endeavours for registration means having a Plan BIn this case, the NSW Supreme Court gave guidance as to what is required by an obligation to use reasonable endeavours.AustraliaReal Estate and ConstructionCarroll & O'Dea
ArticleStrata management statements (SMS) with a lock in contractIt was held that the Court had no general discretion to make amendments to fix unfair strata management statements.AustraliaReal Estate and ConstructionCarroll & O'Dea
ArticleThe time has (almost) come … The time is (almost) now – NSW registration of combustible cladding and youNSW government passes regulations which require certain buildings, which contain combustible cladding, to be registered.AustraliaReal Estate and ConstructionCarroll & O'Dea
ArticleThings to keep in mind: Recent NSW planning decisions and what those principles say about everyday developmentThese cases raise important issues of how impacts are considered and consequences of the lapsing of development consent.AustraliaReal Estate and ConstructionCarroll & O'Dea
ArticleThe Salvation Army (NSW) Property Trust v CCSR [2018] NSWSC 128 - stamp duty exemptionThe Salvos won on appeal against the Commissioner who denied an exemption from stamp duty on a real property acquisition.AustraliaTaxCarroll & O'Dea