Posts by Websters Lawyers
POLICE DROPPED THE CHARGES. CAN I CLAIM MY LEGAL COSTS?
When a man challenged a speeding fine, the police dropped the charges against him. But he was unhappy that this had happened without explanation, after causing him much inconvenience and expense. He sought reimbursement of his legal costs and appealed to the Supreme Court of South Australia. This case is a good summary of the…
Read MoreDEFAMATION: WHAT ARE AGGRAVATED DAMAGES AND WHEN ARE THEY AWARDED?
A recent decision of the Supreme Court of South Australia demonstrates the dangers of publishing defamatory comments about someone, particularly if it’s done on multiple occasions. After a member of a local shooting club published website posts, Facebook posts and email suggesting that another member of the club was corrupt, a bully, a thug and…
Read MoreHELP! I’M BEING SUED FOR DEFAMATION. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
One of the greatest modern-day developments is the internet. It has enabled us to access a wealth of information, to tap into any conceivable topic in a matter of seconds and to self-publish whatever we like. But there’s always a downside. Sometimes the ease of publishing information online can lead to legal trouble. What is…
Read MoreBREATH ANALYSIS: WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T COMPLY?
When police conduct a breath analysis for drugs or alcohol, most people comply by blowing into the testing devices. But sometimes, a person may not give a breath test, either because they can’t, or because they choose not to. What happens when a person refuses or fails to comply with a police direction to give…
Read MoreIS IT POSSIBLE TO REDUCE DEMERIT POINTS FOR A TRAFFIC OFFENCE?
It’s a common issue for many of us who drive – a momentary lapse in concentration leading to an on-the-spot fine for a traffic offence. Often, demerit points accompany the fines. While the fines can hurt financially, it’s the demerit points that can really deliver a crushing blow, especially if the extra points put you…
Read MoreWHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOUR LOVED ONE CAN’T MAKE A WILL?
If you have a loved one who doesn’t have the ability to make a will, you may be faced with some serious issues. For example, if that person has a large estate, what can be done to ensure that after their death, it’s distributed in the way that person would want? This was the issue…
Read MoreRETIREMENT VILLAGES: WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?
Moving into a retirement village can be an attractive option for many people – it’s an opportunity to downsize your living arrangements and to increase your social activities. It can be a hugely fulfilling and enjoyable stage of life for many retirees, but sometimes it’s not as straightforward as it seems. In this article, we…
Read MoreSAME-SEX MARRIAGE LAWS WILL AFFECT FAMILY LAW, WILLS AND MORE
Same-sex marriage is now legal in Australia. This will mean that marriages between same-sex couples will have the same legal recognition as any other marriage and there may be significant consequences for a range of legal areas, including family law, wills and deceased estates. Here’s a summary of how the new laws will operate and…
Read MoreDECEASED ESTATES: CAN SHORT-TERM DOMESTIC PARTNERS MAKE A CLAIM?
Although domestic partnerships are increasingly common these days, the legal issues that may flow from them can be complicated. For example, if you have lived with your partner for only a short time before they die, can you make a claim against their estate if you haven’t been included in their will? This was an…
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