Buying Your First Home in NSW? Here's Why You'll Want an Expert Conveyancer on Your Side The excitement of buying your first home is hard to beat — and...
Published on October 13 2025
Selling a business can be one of the most significant decisions you’ll make in your working life. Whether you’re retiring, moving on to a new venture, or simply ready...
Published on September 24 2025
Buying a business can be one of the most significant decisions you’ll make. Whether you’re relocating and exploring options, looking to fulfil that business ownership passion, or simply ready...
If you own or manage commercial property, you know that your commercial lease agreement is more than just paperwork—it’s the foundation of your investment. At our firm, we regularly...
Published on July 30 2025
We get it—writing your Will feels like one of those admin jobs that's just too hard. Coordinating meetings, chasing documents, and making decisions — it's tempting to grab a DIY...
Published on June 27 2025
At Donovan Oates Hannaford, we take pride in providing comprehensive legal advice to our regional clientele, ensuring that all their legal needs are met. Our approach to legal services stems...
Published on March 06 2025
Leasing a commercial property is a significant business decision, and navigating the complex landscape of commercial leases can be daunting and best left to the trained-eyed. Whether you are...
Published on October 17 2024
The 'Right to Disconnect' laws introduced in Australia, as part of the 'Closing the Loopholes No. 2' amendments, aim to provide employees with the right to disconnect from work-related communications...
Published on July 29 2024
Oral Agreements and Mutual Wills Blended families are becoming more and more common in today’s society. With the emergence of blended families comes the concern of how to deal...
Published on April 02 2024
On 1 February 2024, Hadyn Oriti and Morgan Robins travelled to Armidale to attend The Education Network Continuing Professional Development Conference. The Conference is held annually, and Hadyn...
Published on February 29 2024
On 11 December 2023, the Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 received assent, introducing changes to the building and construction industry, including to building bonds for strata properties. These changes...
Published on February 14 2024
There is only 5 weeks left until Christmas and for many businesses, it is almost time to close their doors for the Christmas shut down period. Is your business...
Published on November 16 2023
Over 55s residential communities are a popular option for retirees, especially on the north coast of NSW. Unlike buying a normal property, when you buy into an over 55s...
Published on November 14 2023
Excluding family members from my Will Family relationships can be complicated. You may not have a positive relationship with your immediate family, you may have become estranged from particular family...
Published on September 19 2023
Have you been overseas for an extended period? If so you may be considered a ‘foreign person’ in Australia and subject to the requirements of the Foreign Investment Review...
Published on August 04 2023
Are you still trying to buy that first home? Support for first home buyers is changing. The Labor government has recently announced increased first home buyer assistance thresholds...
Published on July 05 2023
Gymnasium and small bar operators should be aware of a significant change to retail leases, which occurred on 1 January 2023. Do you lease commercial space to operate a: gymnasium...
Published on March 07 2023
The NSW Government has announced changes to the Transfer Duty regime which may have significant benefits for first home buyers across NSW. The First Home Buyers Choice scheme (Scheme)...
Published on February 06 2023
Is your company selling its shares as part of a sale of business or restructure? If so, the purchaser’s bank may ask for a guarantee and indemnity from your company...
Published on October 27 2022
The Consumer Price Index, also known as CPI, has risen drastically in the June 2022 quarter, with an increase of 1.8 per cent. Further, CPI rose by 6.1 per cent...
Published on August 13 2022
In recent years we have seen housing prices in New South Wales skyrocket, and as such the popularity of purchasing off-the-plan developments has increased. While purchasing a brand-new property off-the-plan...
Published on June 20 2022
Employee Rights when a Business Mandates COVID-19 Vaccinations While 95% of Australians aged over 16 years have opted to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, there are a minority of people...
Published on June 06 2022
Given the way property has moved over the last few years, prices having increased by up to 30% in some areas, young people have found it increasingly difficult to enter...
Published on May 19 2022
It is a well-known fact that in Australia housing prices are increasing and the younger generation is finding it difficult to enter the homeownership market. The Australian population is aging...
Published on March 29 2022
Trade and tourism are slowly recovering after the lockdowns of 2021, but commercial tenants are still feeling the impact of COVID-19 due to the recent outbreak of the Omicron variant....
Published on February 17 2022
Source: Have you registered for your Director ID Number yet? Director IDs have been introduced to verify the identity of directors and help prevent the use of fraudulent director identities....
Published on January 24 2022
(NB These benefits were current as of November 2021). If you or someone you know is looking to enter the property market for the first time, there are currently two benefits...
Published on November 25 2021
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NSW Government introduced the remote witnessing scheme to reduce face-to-face contact, allowing important legal documents such as wills, statutory declarations, and affidavits...
Published on November 19 2021
Some big changes are happening in the Real Estate world. It's been a 10-year journey, but from 11 October we will enter the world of 100% eConveyancing in NSW. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpKKMK-Atmk[/embed]...
Published on September 29 2021
Many commercial tenants have had their income reduced as a result of the decreased trade and tourism due to the lockdowns that commenced in June 2021. They are now struggling...
Published on September 09 2021
Businesses are faced with a myriad of challenges as a result of COVID-19. With the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines, the latest challenge of businesses is deciding whether to compel...
Published on August 20 2021
Unfortunately, when purchasing a home, it’s not just the property price that you are paying. One of the more considerable fees that buyers come across is transfer duty (formally known...
Published on March 11 2021
When finding the right home, you want to make sure the entire family can move in, this, of course, includes four-legged and other animal members. In late 2020, the NSW...
Published on February 01 2021
Tahleia Prussing, Conveyancer at Donovan Oates Hannaford, joined the team in February 2020 and has rapidly become a valued team member. Tahleia is a great team player that is able...
Published on November 30 2020
Neville Parsons is a Senior Lawyer at Donovan Oates Hannaford, who brings extensive experience in corporate governance, risk management, APRA Prudential Standards & Regulations and strategic planning, plus business management and compliance experience to the...
By Neville Parsons A Will is a document that states how someone’s estate (i.e. assets, possessions) will be distributed after they die. Without a Will, you have no way of...
Published on November 23 2020
Changes to discretionary trusts are coming into effect on the 31st of December 2020 which may expose trustees to foreign surcharges. Background A surcharge rate on purchaser duty and land...
Published on October 27 2020
by Neville Parsons An Enduring Guardian is a person you appoint to make decisions about your health and well-being including the medical treatment you will receive if you lose capacity...
Published on September 22 2020
In response to the loss of public confidence from prominent design and building quality issues, the New South Wales (NSW) Parliament has passed legislation to further regulate the design and...
Published on July 27 2020
New disclosure obligations are now in place which will change the way NSW businesses (including intermediaries such as agents and brokers) communicate to their customers before completing a sale. The...
Published on July 13 2020
A Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to elect a person, trustee or organisation to manage your financial and property affairs on your behalf while you...
Published on July 06 2020
By Neville Parsons The HomeBuilder Stimulus package provides eligible owner-occupiers (including first home buyers) a grant of $25,000 to build a new home or substantially renovate an existing home. HomeBuilder...
Under the social distancing measures that are currently in place, it is difficult for shareholders to physically gather with members of the board at annual general meetings. The Corporations Act...
Published on May 12 2020
In your personal Power of Attorney document, you may nominate an Attorney who will be responsible for managing financial decisions on your behalf should you lose capacity. The question is,...
Published on May 04 2020
The National Cabinet Mandatory Code of Conduct regarding commercial leases aims to support small and medium sized enterprises (SME) affected by COVID-19 during the government’s business hibernation period. It sets out good...
Published on April 22 2020
The National Cabinet Mandatory Code of Conduct regarding commercial leases aims to support small and medium sized enterprises (SME) affected by COVID-19 during the government’s business hibernation period. In negotiating...
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a mandatory Code of Conduct which outlines a set of good faith leasing principles for commercial tenancies including retail, office and industrial tenancies. The Code aims...
Published on April 08 2020
By Hadyn Oriti It is an unfortunate fact that among those who we call our family, there may be illnesses and behaviours present that can cause alcoholism, drug addiction, gambling,...
Published on February 27 2020
Saving for a house deposit can be one of the largest (if not the largest) barriers to entry for many first home buyers. Currently, the only way to delve into...
Published on February 20 2020
By Hadyn Oriti While we may have strong views about where we wish our estate to go, someone who thinks they have been unfairly treated in a will may be...
Published on January 14 2020
By Hadyn Oriti Funny things can happen in life. One day everything’s running along just fine, then something comes along to remind you that you are only human. Increasingly, as...
By Neville Parsons [Download Governance, Culture and Risk Management Review PDF here] In order for a business to remain viable and sustainable it needs to be able to demonstrate resilience,...
Published on January 06 2020
By Hadyn Oriti One of the growth areas in the law (and one which we consider to be an unfortunate development) is the proliferation of claims made on an estate. ...
Published on October 16 2019
The Partners and staff of Donovan Oates Hannaford have welcomed Neville Parsons to the firm as a senior lawyer and a director as of September 30, 2019. As one of...
Published on October 08 2019
Regardless of what size business you have, when there are multiple owners, shareholders or investors involved, business structure agreements are absolutely vital. These agreements are a proactive way to save...
Published on August 26 2019
Disputes with our next-door neighbours is something we try and avoid at all costs. One common cause of neighbourly disputes that we seem to provide a lot of advice about...
Published on August 23 2019
Starting a new business venture with family or friends is an extremely exciting time and having people in your business that you know, and trust can be reassuring. However, when...
We’re breaking down what the first home buyer deposit scheme is and the things you need to know if you’re considering applying for it! If you are a looking to...
Published on August 21 2019
A recent Queensland Court of Appeal case raises some interesting issues surrounding the valid exercise of an Option Lease for commercial premises. In Tripple A Pty Limited v Win Television...
Published on April 16 2019
The Retail Leases Act 1994 was designed to protect tenants of retail shops from the unconscionable exercise of landlords’ powers. Landlords and tenants adapted to the changes introduced in the...
Published on February 13 2019
Buying property off-the-plan can be fraught with financial and contractual risk, particularly if you don’t have a comprehensive agreement in place that protects you from the major pitfalls that can,...
Published on January 30 2019
As seen in the Men in Business feature in Port Macquarie Focus Magazine, August 2018. If someone is planning to sell their business, what are some of the key legal...
Published on January 23 2019
As featured in Women in Business feature, Port Macquarie Focus Magazine - March 2018. Describe how you got started with Donovan Oates Hannaford. Jaclyn: We often visited Port Macquarie from...
Published on January 22 2019
Consumer complaints lodged with the Department of Fair Trading have previously represented long-winded and potentially expensive processes that drag on through courts or tribunals. The cost and inconvenience to participants...
Published on January 15 2019
Hadyn Oriti, Partner More than 30% of the New South Wales population are renting their homes and the demand for quality rental accommodation continues to grow. In an effort to...
Published on October 24 2018
The NSW Government is currently seeking public and stakeholder feedback on proposed reforms to the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (Act). The Building and Construction Industry Security of...
Published on September 13 2018
One would not ordinarily choose to take on the Commissioner of Taxation without being well and truly prepared for the consequences. Well, recently, one Mr Benson did precisely that and,...
Published on September 06 2018
Over the years in my day-to-day practise as a Solicitor, my clients have shared all sorts of different urban myths that they have heard through the grapevine about Wills. I’d...
Published on August 20 2018
By Hadyn Oriti 12 July, 2018 In an effort to make our nation’s regulatory environment easier for both businesses and households, the Turnbull Government has announced a wish to reduce...
Published on July 13 2018
The onset of the ‘share economy’ has seen a number of disruptive online booking platforms such as AirBNB shake up the short-term accommodation industry and this has resulted in a...
Published on June 28 2018
Debt Recovery is not one of the most pleasant tasks for a business to have to undertake. Unfortunately, chasing bad debts is something that happens far too often and can...
Published on June 26 2018
This year has proved to be a busy year for those interested in information security. The recent Facebook and Cambridge Analytica situation has reminded everyone that regulation alone does not...
Published on May 28 2018
Good news for small businesses in the last week: the big four banks have honoured their commitment to reviewing their small business loan contracts, with changes set to eliminate perceived...
Published on August 29 2017
In 1535 Henry the 8th introduced the anti-tax avoidance legislation known as the Statute of Uses, which related to financial responsibilities – or, land tax – resulting from the ownership...
Published on May 17 2017
The outcome of a recent unfair dismissal case serves as a timely reminder of the importance of adherence to workplace policies and of ensuring procedural fairness when it comes to...
Published on February 27 2017
The NSW Government recently announced important reforms to the Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF). Under the Home Building Act 1989, builders must obtain insurance under the HBCF (previously called Home...
Published on November 10 2016
On 12th November a new law comes into effect which will protect small businesses from unfair terms in standard form contracts. Whether your business is large or small, understanding this...
Published on October 28 2016
Donovan Oates Hannaford is proud to be a community supporter of the NSW Cancer Council. The NSW Cancer Council Pro Bono Program helps people with cancer and their families, with...
Published on December 23 2015
The Attorney-General, Senator George Brandis, recently announced proposed changes to the law regarding binding financial agreements - also commonly known as ‘pre-nuptial’ agreements. The term ‘pre-nuptial’ is a misleading one,...
Published on May 29 2015
An invalid will can cause heartache, confusion, frustration and expense to those left behind when a loved one passes away. Something as simple as forgetting to sign a document or...
Published on September 23 2014
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