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Every year, as the festive season approaches, many organisations find themselves preparing not just for celebration but for the potential issues that may ensue long after the Christmas decorations come down.

Aitken Partners is pleased to announce a new partnership with Melbourne Football Club, joining the Club as its Official Legal Services Partner through to at least 2027.

The amendments made to the categories of people eligible to make family provision claims under Part IV of the Administration and Probate Act 1958 were made over a decade ago and were intended to reduce the amount of family provision claims by reducing the categories of people who were eligible to apply.

Shareholder disputes can have a serious impact on private companies. Conflicts between shareholders, especially where minority shareholders feel oppressed or unfairly treated, can disrupt business operations, harm relationships, and reduce the value of investments.

Receiving a show cause notice at work can be one of the most stressful and confusing experiences for an employee. A show cause notice is issued when an employer requires an employee to explain or justify their conduct before any disciplinary action, including termination, is considered. Handling this process incorrectly can have serious consequences, which is why seeking expert guidance is crucial.

Unpaid debts can pose a serious risk to businesses of all sizes. Recovering what is rightfully owed is not just a financial issue, it is essential to maintaining cash flow, protecting your business relationships, and ensuring operational stability.

Please note that all information in this article is of a general nature and does not constitute legal advice.

Protecting the rights and wellbeing of elderly family members is a concern shared by many, however, and rather unfortunately, instances of exploitation and abuse often arise at the hands of those whom an elderly person trusts most.

In some family law cases, especially where the parties are not married, disputes can arise as to whether a de facto relationship existed.

In Victoria, there is a patchwork quilt of overlapping concessions in relation to duty payable on real estate depending on the date that a contract of sale was signed, whether a property is purchased off the plan (OTP) and if so, whether there is or is not common property on the plan of subdivision and whether the purchaser is a first home buyer or, if not, otherwise a purchaser of a principal place of residence.

Workplace discrimination and harassment are serious legal issues that can have long-lasting impacts on employees’ health, wellbeing, and career prospects. The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) decision in Green v State of Queensland, Brooker and Keating [2017] QCAT 008 highlights the importance of protecting employees from unlawful treatment and demonstrates how tribunals approach compensation for sexual harassment and discrimination claims.

Westpac’s rejection of a mother’s WFH request: A cautionary tale for all employers

Australia offers a range of skilled migration options for talented professionals who want to live and work here permanently. Two of the most common are the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) and the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190).

The Federal Treasurer, Dr. Jim Chalmers, has announced design changes to the proposed Division 296 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 which was contained in an introduced but unenacted Bill (Treasury Laws Amendment (Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions) Bill 2023).

Aitken Partners is pleased to announce that the highly regarded Migration Law team from Kabo Lawyers will be joining the Melbourne office from Friday, 17 October 2025.

Internal disputes within incorporated associations continue to test the limits of judicial intervention in Queensland. The Supreme Court decision in Singh & Ors v Brisbane Sikh Temple (Gurdwara) Inc [2022] QSC 151 highlights the Court’s careful approach when asked to resolve conflicts about membership and governance.

On 10 June 2025 some of the most significant changes to family law in decades came into effect with the commencement of the Family Law Amendment Act 2024 (Cth). These reforms reshape how the courts, and family lawyers, deal with property, financial and divorce matters and they place a greater focus on family violence, financial abuse and the welfare of children and even pets.

New psychosocial health regulations which will take effect from December 2025 in Victoria are a timely reminder for all employers to get on the front foot and ensure that their workplace policies are up to date and an effective means of preventing, managing and controlling risks associated with psychological hazards in the workplace (including bullying, harassment, violence or exposure to traumatic events).