“The description of the Agreements by the primary judge as not being “fair or reasonable” was not merely open to her. It was an understatement.”

- Justices Kiefel, Bell, Gageler,

Keane and Edelman

8 November 2017

Yesterday, the High Court released their eagerly awaited dec...

On 1 November 2017, significant legislative changes contained in the Administration and Probate and Other Acts Amendment (Succession and Related Matters) Act 2017 came into effect, and will apply to estates of persons who died after that date. 

The changes have signific...

As lawyers, we are often asked: should I lodge a caveat against the family home and other investment properties? Alternatively, a frustrated home owner will contact us to say their former partner has lodged a caveat against their property without their knowledge.

This a...

It is no secret that in Australia the postal vote is in progress and that the votes will soon be counted.

If the majority of Australians respond in the positive and same-sex marriage becomes a reality in Australia, what will this mean for Family Law in Australia?  What...

The recent decision in Downey & Beale [2017] FCCA 316 illustrates the Court’s approach to determining disputes over pets. While many pet owners consider their beloved pets priceless and valued extensions of their families, the Federal Circuit Court adopted an approach...

Westminster Football Function

The 2017 AFL season was a doozy – it was almost impossible to consistently tip winners from week to week, the ladder had been seriously tight and the race for finals was intense.  Given the majority of the team at Westminster Lawyers keenly...

“It can be said, as it was, by that great Asian jurist, Chairman Mao, that power grows out of the barrel of a gun – but it can also grow out of the impending big wedding in four days’ time”

- The Hon. Matt Foley, Barrister for the Appellant Wife

10 March 2017

An appeal h...

As Family Lawyers, we are commonly asked whether our work consists of helping parties with divorce.  The simple answer is, divorce is only a very small part of the work that we do. 

The more complex explanation is that a “divorce” is only the formal dissolution of...

It is often the case with a separating couple that one spouse earns a high income while the other has sacrificed their career opportunities to fulfil a role as homemaker and primary carer of children.  Family lawyers are often asked how a Court would deal with an Appli...