Thyroid problems are largely a result of an imbalance in your thyroid levels. Any kind of thyroid problem, regardless of cause, leads to a weight problem, and it's usually drastic - you could find that you are gaining weight, losing it rapidly or maybe you just can't get rid of it no matter how hard...

Drunk driving accidents are unfortunately quite common. Drunk driving is one of several "outside factors" which can sway your personal injury case decision in your favor - using a cell phone while driving is another outside factor. Outside factors are the actions of the other driver that didn't dire...

SECURITY OF PAYMENT ACT The Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) ("Security of Payment Act") applies to all building and construction work in New South Wales except any residential building work carried to which the Home Building Act 1989 applies. The intention of th...

Judging Building Surveyors - Part 2 - Effect of MIG Textiles Decision (VCAT 2005) FACTS - MIG owned a block of land in Carlton. It was to be developed into 4 x 3-storey townhouses. The respondent architect, Myer, obtained a town planning permit for the development and prepared working drawings. T...

The Applicant, Lewis, bought land in Ocean Grove in 1995 to build two units. The applicant applied to Newey and Associates for a building permit in 1997. The Applicant engaged the First Respondent, Threadwell, as builder to construct the two units in 1997. The building permit was issued in 1997....

Building surveyors and building inspectors play a vital role in domestic and commercial construction. Both perform statutory functions of inspection and certification. Building inspectors have considerable statutory powers to order a halt to construction until problems are rectified. In the 1980s, a...

Many people today make their own wills and this approach is fraught with danger. A will is a written declaration that sets out how a person wants their assets to be distributed to their beneficiaries following death. It is one of the most important documents that anyone will ever execute at any ti...

If you do not make a will and die "intestate" then your estate will be divided according to the law, regardless of your wishes. The result is often not what you intended for your family. Property that you wish to keep in the family or provide to specific individuals may have to be sold. As an exampl...

Family Provision Act Claims Sometimes when a family member passes away some of the deceased's relatives believe that they have not been adequately provided for in the deceased's will. These persons are often current or former spouses, de facto spouses, children or step children. Sometimes grandchi...

Classes of Parent Visas There are 4 subclasses of current visas that can be applied for by parents outside Australia namely subclass 103(Parent), subclass 118(Designated Parent), subclass 143(Contributory Parent) and subclass 173(Contributory Parent (Temporary)). There are also 4 subclasses of visas...

Commonly there is an expectation amongst parents of children in close knit families, particularly when a family is of humble means, that the children will grow up, gain a good education and be successful. Taking this one step further those parents of Australian citizens or Australian permanent resid...

The Federal Government has announced widespread changes to the Australian workplace relations system, by relying upon one of the heads of power under the Australian Constitution, namely the Corporations Power. This allows them to make laws with respect to Australian companies including constitution...

Workplace bullying has been with us ever since the advent of the Industrial Revolution. Interestingly in New South Wales the Office of Industrial Relations of the NSW Department of Commerce provides scant information about this anti-social workplace behaviour. Research indicates that workplace bul...

Sometimes people become confused as to exactly which category of employment they fall in to. Of course there is the permanent employee or the casual or part-time or permanent part-time or even the independent subcontractor. The real difference between the various categories of employment is whethe...

The idea of bullying has long been associated with naughty children in a schoolyard. But in recent years, there has been increased awareness and recognition in Australia that adults can be bullies too. Nowhere is this notion more alive than in the workplace, where high stress levels and hierarchies...

Section 106: An overview Early forms of unfair contracts provisions were aimed at simply protecting the arbitration system. Contracts had to have a distinctive industrial 'flavour' before the courts or commissions would intervene. Over time a more expansive and liberal approach attitude towards the...

LAC Lawyers Pty Ltd is engaged in a substantial domestic building dispute in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ("VCAT") in Melbourne which involves a claim in excess of $1,800,000.00. Essentially, the case raises the inter-relationship between the issue of a building permit and the ant...

Professionals are always at risk of being sued for loss or damage caused allegedly by mistake, omission, negligence or other error. The range of claimants is virtually endless. Today's client may well be tomorrow's plaintiff/applicant. This article sets out the ways in which professionals can mana...

The Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) commenced operation on 15 August 2005. The Act represents a major progression in the regulation of civil litigation in NSW. For the first time in history civil proceedings in the Supreme, District and Local Courts and the Dust Diseases Tribunal will be governed by...

Mothers and fathers have a duty to maintain their children even if they have never lived together. This duty continues until the child reaches the age of 18, unless the child is able to support him or herself before that time, or marries, or is adopted. The Commonwealth Government enforces the oblig...