Szabo & Associates News & Updates

The NSW Land & Environment Court has recently (July 2019) published its decision in respect of what is probably NSW’s largest ever claim for compensation involving the acquisition of land. 

If a murderer cannot inherit the estate of their victim, what is the position with someone who helps cover up a crime?

In the unfortunate event that both parents pass away at the same time and it is not known who died first, what happens next can regrettably result in family disputes. Thankfully this is not a frequent occurrence but, if and when it does happen, it can be particularly stressful. This is illustrated by the case of John and Ann Scarle recently decided in the High Court in England.

Background

Last year the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) brought charges against the former mayor of Port Stephens, Robert Mackenzie, and his company Grafil Pty Ltd. The defendants operated a sand quarry, trading as Macka’s Sand and Soil Supplies, but were accused of running an illegal waste dump at their business in Salt Ash, a rural suburb of Port Stephens. The company potentially faced a $1 million fine and substantial clean-up costs if found guilty. However, they were not found guilty, and the case (Environment Protection Authority v Grafil Pty Ltd; Mackenzie [2018] NSWLEC 99) heralds a significant change to the interpretation of waste laws in NSW.