The NSW Government has initiated a new offence under the Roads and Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 to form a part of the Roads Act 1993. These offences are designed to target protest behaviour with more severe punishments for impeding major roads and facilities. While both offences must be reviewed by the minister in two […]
Things to know before buying into a Strata Scheme
A strata scheme is a building or collection of buildings that has been divided into ‘lots’. Lots can be individual units/apartments, townhouses or houses. When a person buys a lot, they own the individual lot and also share the ownership of common property with other lot owners. Common property generally includes things like gardens, external […]
Foreign Resident Capital Gains Withholding FRCGW & Clearance Certificates
Foreign resident capital gains withholding (FRCGW) applies to all vendors disposing or selling of property under contracts entered into from 1 July 2016. FRCGW is different to the foreign person surcharge when purchasing a property but is often confused. The withholding obligation applies to both Australian resident and foreign resident purchasers. The FRCGW tax rate is […]
Spent Convictions in NSW
Spent Convictions, What are they? A spent conviction is a scheme where after a period known as the ‘waiting period’ or ‘crime-free period’ a conviction is ‘spent’. The waiting period in NSW and for commonwealth offence is a period of 10 years as an adult and 3 years otherwise. Where an offence is capable of […]
I have a Criminal Infringement Notice CIN what should I do?
What is a Criminal Infringement Notice or CIN? A Criminal Infringement Notice or CIN is essentially an infringement notice or a ‘on the spot’ fine or ticket for certain offences. Is a CIN a criminal conviction? A CIN is not a matter that will automatically result in a recording of a criminal conviction, UNLESS you […]
Combined PCA & Illicit Substance (Drink & Drug Driving)
On 28 June 2021 the NSW government introduced a new offence of Drink Driving / PCA combined with drug driving / presence of illicit drug in oral fluid. Until this time these offences have been separate and it was rare to see both offences together. The punishment or penalties for this combined offence are serious, […]