Szabo & Associates News & Updates

When NSW established its Land & Environment Court in 1980, it was the world's first specialist superior Court of its type. It hears environmental, development, building and planning disputes. Szabo & Associates Solicitors provide expert advice and representation in litigation in the Court.

Many businesses occupy premises leased from another party. An option is a term in the lease agreement which allows a tenant the right to renew their occupation of the leased premises before the tenancy ends. The tenant does not have an obligation to renew, whereas the landlord does not have the right to deny the tenant from exercising the option unless there has been a breach.

Earlier this year, the NSW Court of Appeal considered an appeal in respect of a commercial property dispute that had resulted in a company having had damages of $6.9 million awarded against it.

The NSW Land and Environment Court is a specialist Court dealing with matters such as development approvals, compulsory purchase compensation, prosecutions for environmental offences and other planning and land use issues, including civil enforcement proceedings, as illustrated in a recent case.

Representation of children in family law proceedings in NSW can take different forms, but at the federal level, the Family Law Act 1975 provides for the possibility of appointing an Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL). This is a legal practitioner who will represent a child’s interests in parental proceedings. This statutory form of child representation has been further developed by case law, particularly in the 1990s, and notably in Re K (1994) and in P and P (1995). More guidance about the role has also been provided by National Legal Aid Guidelines.