Think Foley's

Simon Fuller provides some clarity on issues such as what is a casual employee? What are their rights? And what are employers’ obligations in respect of casual workers? With particular reference to two recent Full Court decisions (being WorkPac Pty Ltd and Skene and WorkPac Pty Ltd and Rossato) that have, in some respects, changed the landscape for casual workers. The session also considers the federal government’s regulatory response to some of the issues raised in Skene and also the pending High Court challenge to the Full Court’s decision in Rossato.

The introduction of new discrete lists, hearings in front of Registrars and tips and tricks for drafting and preparation in an electronic era in the Family Law Courts. This zoom session presented by Alex Metherell and Nonni Sdraulig discusses how hearings in the Family Law Courts have evolved recently including the introduction of new listing practices and lists, such as the discrete property and contravention lists. How to prepare for hearings in front of Registrars instead of Judges including a discussion about Registrars powers and the impact that COVID-19 pandemic has had on face-to-face hearings in the Court system. It provides solicitors with practical advice and tips and tricks about how to best to prepare for electronic hearings in both parenting and property applications. Together with a more general discussion about how to prepare clients for electronic hearings before Registrars in the Family Law Courts. For resources please visit: https://foleys.com.au/cpdresources.aspx

David Kim and Priya Wakhlu focus on a Landlord’s right of re-entry following a tenant’s breach of the lease agreement. David and Priya will closely examine landlords’ rights of re-entry and termination under both common law and the Property Law Act 1958 (Vic), compliance with notice requirements and the consequences of not validly terminating the lease. For resources please visit: https://foleys.com.au/cpdresources.aspx

Cecily Hollingworth and Jason Gullaci discuss the different sentencing regimes that have come into place in Victoria in the last few years. They provide detail on what the offences and categories are that fall under the current mandatory sentencing provisions or the standard sentencing provisions.

Dr Rishi Gulati discusses the potential impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the law of the international civil service, commonly known as international administrative law. Undoubtedly, the pandemic is having a serious impact on international organisations, staff members, consultants and contractors of international organisations, as well as other third parties associated with international organisations. Discussing case law from the various international administrative tribunals, Dr Gulati sheds light on the key legal issues that international organisations and their employees should take into account when making decisions pertaining to employee rights in times of great stress. If you would like access to the accompanying paper mentioned in this podcast, please contact Dr Gulati directly on rishi.gulati@vicbar.com.au 

Chris Oldham discusses Immigration Law and the entangling that can occur with other jurisdictions, most notably Criminal Law. He outlines sentencing and the relevant considerations that flow from visa cancellation or the risk of visa cancellations. He also discusses other forms of visa cancellations that may be worth considering for Criminal law practices and finishes off with outlining the risks of incorrectly filling out a passenger arrival card and considerations that may be undertaken for applicants or respondents in family violence intervention order applications. 

Philip Barton examines Co-ownership Disputes.  He commences with severance of joint tenancy and adverse possession between co-owners.  However, he focuses primarily on Part 4 of the Property Law Act which covers sale and division of co-owned land and goods. He covers central concepts, VCAT’s jurisdiction, grounds for refusing an order - in particular grounds based on contracts and trusts inconsistent with sale, aspects of orders for sale or physical division, and the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and County Court.

Anna Parker discusses Drafting Affidavits in Family Law Matters. She outlines what an affidavit is and the importance of drafting a sound and relevant affidavit. She provides a detailed description of the applicable rules of evidence, and other tips and tricks in preparing such a document in order to positively assist a case rather than hindering it. 

Simon Tisher presents a State Taxation Update. He discusses the changes and activity which have taken place in Victorian State Taxation over the past few years, with several legislative amendments and numerous decisions from the Supreme Court and the VCAT. This episode is tailored to the small and medium enterprise market and Simon provides general observations about state taxation litigation; the legislative changes made in 2019 in relation to economic entitlements, fixtures and the land tax valuation of heritage buildings; the duty exemption from trusts to beneficiaries; land tax and the principal place of residence exemption, land tax exemptions for primary production land; foreign purchaser additional duty and lastly, the absentee owner land tax surcharge.

Anna Parker talks about Contravention Applications in Parenting Matters. She outlines the parenting regime provided for in the Family Law Act, the applicable remedies and penalties, and discusses what constitutes a ‘reasonable excuse’. Anna provides details and outlines points and principles when representing parties in contravention proceedings, including during such times as the current COVID-19 pandemic.