Posts by Websters Lawyers
DEFAMATION: 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…
Read MorePOLICE CAUTIONS: WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW DO THEY WORK?
Have you ever heard of a person being let off with just a caution after allegedly breaking the law? Cautions have been around for a long time, but in South Australia they were previously only used when dealing with youth offenders or, on a very limited basis, adults. But since December 2016, South Australia has…
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