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Can you protect your view? easements neighbours nuisance property supreme court Oct 04, 2023

Imagine that you have just purchased your dream property, complete with a picturesque view of the harbour. Until one day, your neighbour directly in front of you decides it's time for them to expand their family, and so they build another storey on top of their house, effectively blocking your...

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When an Estate is left to adult children but not the deceased's spouse deceased estate family provision succession act supreme court Sep 13, 2023

Yet again, the Supreme Court has dealt with the issue as to whether provision should be made from a deceased estate for a person who claims to have been the deceased's de facto partner, or some other form of "eligible person", for that person's future maintenance, education or...

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When is a property landlord ready, willing and able to settle the sale? lease property purchasing property selling property supreme court May 29, 2023

If there are ever any delays with completion (or settlement) of a property sale, the party seeking to recover a remedy against the other party must show that as at the original settlement date, ït was "ready, willing and able" to settle.  If it wasn't, then it cannot seek...

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What came first - the mortgagee's power of sale, or the owner's alleged sale? caveat conveyancing loan agreements mortgage power of sale property property law real property act supreme court May 16, 2023

The Supreme Court of New South Wales has just handed down its decision dealing with the competing claims of a contract and a caveat - for a residential property at Bradman Road, Menai.

ProLend Solutions No. 123 Pty Ltd v Karout [2023] NSWSC 490 (8 May 2023)

The proceedings were...

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The power of section 100 statements: exploring the testator's choices in estate planning estate planning estates family provision succession act supreme court Apr 10, 2023

 When a person creates a will, they have the power to decide who will inherit their property and assets after they pass away. In some cases, a testator may choose to exclude a child from their will, and in such cases, they may choose to include a statement explaining the reasons why the...

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Providing accurate information when selling a business business business law business purchase business sale false or misleading representations misleading and deceptive conduct supreme court Dec 02, 2022

The concept of “misleading and deceptive conduct” doesn’t only arise in the context of consumer law, requiring a seller to ensure that it does not mislead or deceive, or engage in conduct which is likely to mislead or deceive, its consumers in relation to the product or service...

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When a de facto relationship exists - even though you don't live together de facto deceased estate estates intestacy succession act supreme court Sep 07, 2022

Not only can an estate challenge be made by someone who is a blood relative of the deceased (so long as they satisfy one of the categories of relatives set out in the definition of “eligible person”, as defined in section 57 of the Succession Act 2006 (NSW)), but it can...

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Alleged abandonment and obsolescence of a dunny lane easement easements property property boundary property law supreme court Aug 31, 2022

The Supreme Court Court of Appeal has handed down its decision in relation to an L-shaped easement, granting one property owner (#8) a right of way over the rear and side of the neighbouring property (#6) to enable access to the street.  This right of way in Birchgrove (inner...

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Case update - what happens with the deposit when a vendor terminates the contract? conveyancing conveyancing act property purchasing property selling property supreme court Aug 10, 2022

Typically, when selling property, the deposit which is paid at the time of exchange is held by the deposit holder, usually the selling agent, until settlement has taken place, at which time it is released to the vendor.  In some instances, it may be released to the vendor prior to settlement...

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Case update - did the size relate to the duplex as a whole, or each residence within the duplex? A lesson in contractual drafting. conveyancing conveyancing act off-the-plan selling property supreme court Jul 13, 2022

Paolucci v Makedyn Pty Ltd [2021] NSWCA 215

In September 2021, the Supreme Court of New South Wales’ Court of Appeal dealt with a matter concerning a dispute between a property owner (Paolucci) and the developer (Makedyn Pty Ltd) regarding Paolucci’s large parcel in western Sydney...

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Can a landlord recover unpaid components of rent even though the invoices were incorrect? business lease outgoings supreme court Mar 17, 2022

Commercial landlords should ensure that invoices issued to tenants for rent and outgoing amounts include:

  • the correct GST component
  • any rent increases that are entitled to be charged
  • all outgoings that are entitled to be charged.

The invoices should also be issued in a timely manner and in...

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Retail landlords - know your obligations under the Retail Leases Act business landlord lease property retail leases act supreme court tenant Oct 27, 2020

There are special rules that apply to commercial leases that fall within the definition of being a “retail lease”.  Under the Retail Leases Act 1994 (NSW), landlords must, amongst other things, comply with strict deadlines for providing various notices to their...

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