Buying Property in NSW – 5 Things to Check Before You Exchange
CML LAWYERS A practical guide from CML Lawyers | Sydney CBD & Cowra NSW Exchanging contracts is the moment you become legally committed to buying a property. Once you exchange — with very limited exceptions — you are bound. There is no undoing it without financial consequence. Yet property buyers routinely exchange without fully […]
Pre-exchange Purchaser Property Checklist
PRE-EXCHANGE PROPERTY CHECKLIST Print and work through this checklist before exchanging contracts on any NSW property 1. THE CONTRACT ☐ Obtained a copy of the Contract for Sale before making an offer ☐ Solicitor has reviewed the full contract including all annexures ☐ Settlement period confirmed and is realistic for my lender ☐ Special […]
When Can an Executor Be Removed? Lessons from Ross v Gordon [2026] ACTCA 1
A recent decision from the ACT Court of Appeal serves as a timely reminder of how high the legal bar is for removing an executor — and the strict limits of using earlier court proceedings to prevent an executor from raising new arguments in later litigation. In Ross v Gordon [2026] ACTCA 1, the Court […]
What Commercial Tenants and Landlords Need to Know About End-of-Lease Obligations
Allied Pinnacle Pty Ltd v GR Mailman & Associates Pty Ltd [2026] NSWSC 87 A recent New South Wales Supreme Court decision has provided important clarity on the obligations that tenants face when a commercial lease comes to an end. The case of Allied Pinnacle Pty Ltd v GR Mailman & Associates Pty Ltd [2026] […]
Sharing the Burden: How Courts Allocate Family Provision Orders Among Beneficiaries
Little v Little [2026] NSWSC 36 Supreme Court of New South Wales | February 2026 Overview A recent decision of the Supreme Court of New South Wales offers important guidance on a question that arises frequently in contested estate matters: when a court makes a family provision order, who among the beneficiaries must bear the […]
Costs Capping in Family Provision Proceedings
Lord v Craig [2026] NSWSC 17 CML Lawyers | Estate & Succession Planning February 2026 Overview A recent decision of the NSW Supreme Court has provided important guidance on the court’s power to impose prospective costs capping orders in family provision proceedings. In Lord v Craig [2026] NSWSC 17, Justice Hmelnitsky made a costs capping […]
When “Exclusive Remedy” Clauses Are Not So Exclusive: Lessons from DeMarco v Macey [2026] NSWSC 57
Supreme Court of New South Wales | February 2026 Overview A recent Supreme Court of New South Wales decision has reinforced an important principle for builders and property owners alike: a contractual clause that purports to limit remedies for breach of a building contract will not necessarily operate as an exclusive remedy, and may not […]
Director Liability for Insolvent Trading:
Director Liability for Insolvent Trading: Key Principles from Woodworx Joinery Holdings Ltd (In Liq), Re [2026] NSWSC 39 The recent decision in Woodworx Joinery Holdings Ltd (In Liq), Re [2026] NSWSC 39 provides important guidance on director liability for insolvent trading and reinforces several fundamental principles that apply to both statutory and de facto directors. This […]
When “Indefensible” Arguments Backfire: Lessons from Vinall v St George Bank
Summary: A NSW Supreme Court judge ordered that Westpac’s CEO to appear in court after St George Bank refused to correct a $44.11 credit reporting error—only for the bank to reverse its position over the weekend. The case serves as a sharp warning to organisations about the risks of mishandling credit reporting obligations. What […]
Why Digital Assets Matter in Estate Planning
Don’t Forget Your Digital Footprint: Why Digital Assets Matter in Estate Planning Most of us spend significant time online – banking, shopping, storing photos, managing investments, and staying connected with family and friends. But when it comes to estate planning, digital assets are often overlooked. If you haven’t considered what happens to your online accounts, […]