Straightforward answers to the questions we hear most. If your question isn't here, call us, free initial consultation, no obligation.
Exercise your right to silence. Do not answer questions from police without a lawyer present. You are required to provide your name and address, but nothing more. Contact us immediately, Ron is available 24/7 for criminal matters.
Anything you say to police can and may be used against you in court. The earlier you have legal representation, the stronger your position.
The strength of a bail application depends on factors including your ties to the community, history of compliance with bail conditions, and the nature of the charges.
Ron has extensive experience in urgent bail applications across all court levels. If you or a family member has been refused bail, call immediately.
Costs vary depending on the complexity of the matter and whether the matter proceeds to hearing or resolves at an earlier stage. We provide clear, transparent cost estimates from the outset.
Your initial consultation is free. We'll give you an honest assessment of your matter and a clear picture of likely costs before you commit to anything.
The Local Court handles the majority of criminal matters, summary offences and less serious indictable matters. The District Court handles more serious indictable offences and appeals from the Local Court. The Supreme Court deals with the most serious matters including murder.
Ron appears across all NSW courts — Local, District and Supreme. Your matter will be allocated to the appropriate court based on the seriousness of the charges.
This depends entirely on the nature of the charges, your prior history, and the strength of the evidence.
Ron will give you an honest, frank assessment of your situation from the first consultation. He won't tell you what you want to hear, he'll tell you what you need to know.
Not necessarily. The court has discretion in some circumstances, and a lawyer can often argue for a reduced disqualification period, a Work Development Order, or, in some cases, a Section 10 dismissal with no conviction recorded.
Even if you have no defence to the charge itself, how you are represented at sentencing makes a significant difference to the outcome. Don't plead guilty without speaking to Ron first.
In some circumstances, yes. A hardship licence (also called a work licence) may be available depending on the nature of the offence, your BAC reading, your prior history, and whether you can demonstrate that loss of licence would cause severe hardship to you or your dependents.
This is a complex application that is best handled by an experienced traffic lawyer. Call Ron to discuss your specific circumstances.
You can elect to have your demerit point suspension reviewed in the Local Court, which gives the court the opportunity to consider your circumstances. You can also opt for a 12-month good behaviour period in some circumstances.
The right strategy depends on your driving record and individual situation. Ron can advise you on the best approach before you make any election that affects your licence.
Call a lawyer today. Unfair dismissal applications must be lodged with the Fair Work Commission within 21 days of the dismissal taking effect. This deadline is strictly enforced and extensions are rarely granted.
Do not sign any deed of release or separation agreement before getting legal advice. Once signed, your rights may be extinguished.
Unfair dismissal applies where your dismissal was harsh, unjust or unreasonable. It covers most employees who have served the minimum employment period (6 months, or 12 months for small businesses).
General protections (adverse action) applies where you were dismissed or treated adversely because you exercised a workplace right, such as making a complaint, taking leave, or being a union member. General protections can apply even where unfair dismissal cannot.
A redundancy is only genuine if the job itself is no longer required, the employer followed proper consultation requirements under any applicable award or enterprise agreement, and it was not reasonable to redeploy you within the business.
If your employer has replaced you with someone else, or failed to consult you properly, the redundancy may not be genuine. Amanda can review your circumstances and advise whether you have a claim.
Yes. Amanda acts for both employers and employees. For employers, she can assist with advice on termination, disciplinary and performance management processes, workplace investigations, enterprise agreement interpretation, restraint of trade enforcement, and responding to Fair Work Commission applications.
Getting the process right from the start is far less costly than defending a claim. Call Amanda before you take action, not after.
Lawful termination requires a valid reason, procedural fairness and proper documentation at every step. That means written warnings, an opportunity for the employee to respond, and a support person present at any formal meeting.
The most common reason employers lose at Fair Work is not the decision to terminate — it's the process. Amanda can guide you through each stage so the business is protected before any action is taken.
You're not legally required to, but it is strongly recommended. A single procedural misstep — a missing warning, an inadequate investigation, or a poorly worded termination letter — can result in a costly unfair dismissal or general protections claim.
Getting advice before you act is significantly cheaper than defending a claim after the fact. Amanda can review your process, draft the necessary correspondence and ensure you've met every obligation.
You have a legal obligation to investigate the complaint promptly and thoroughly, regardless of whether you believe it has merit. Failing to act — or acting inconsistently — can expose the business to liability under work health and safety legislation and the Fair Work Act.
Amanda can advise on how to conduct a compliant investigation, manage the parties involved, and implement outcomes that protect both the business and your employees.
Yes. Without a Will, NSW law determines how your estate is distributed, not you. That may mean assets do not go to the people you intend, and your family is left navigating a more complex and costly process at an already difficult time. A Will is for anyone who wants a say in what happens after they are gone.
A Will takes effect after you die and deals with how your estate is distributed. A Power of Attorney takes effect during your lifetime and allows a person you trust to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you are unable to. An Enduring Guardian appointment does the same for personal and medical decisions. Most people need all three.
Yes. Under the NSW Succession Act, certain people including spouses, children, and sometimes former partners can make a family provision claim if they believe they have not been adequately provided for. A properly drafted Will, prepared with legal advice, reduces the risk of a successful challenge. Amanda can advise on how to structure your Will to minimise that risk.
After any significant life change: marriage, separation, divorce, the birth of a child, the death of a beneficiary or executor, or a significant change in your assets. Note that marriage automatically revokes a Will in NSW unless it was made in contemplation of that marriage. If any of these events have occurred since you last updated yours, it is worth a review.
You deal directly with Ron or Amanda, always. Ron and Amanda handle every matter personally from first call to final outcome. The lawyer you speak to is the lawyer who appears with you.
Our office is at 4/39 Market Street, Wollongong NSW 2500, two doors from Wollongong Courthouse. We appear regularly across NSW — Local, District and Supreme Court.
We serve clients throughout Wollongong, the Illawarra, and across NSW.
Yes. Your first consultation is free, with no obligation to proceed. Everything you tell us is protected by legal professional privilege, it cannot be disclosed to police, courts, your employer, or anyone else without your consent.
Free initial consultation. No obligation. We'll answer your questions directly.