When signing a contract for a new job, most of us are guilty of skimming over the clauses and fine print: and it can come back to bite us. Whether it’s taking a redundancy, negotiating a salary, cutting shifts, or rejecting requests for annual leave, workers do have rights: and Lawfully Explained is here to guide you through them. 

So, things got a bit heated in your group chat – but can you really be sued for insulting someone on social media? Is it safe to criticise a politician, a celebrity, or a badly cooked restaurant lobster? And does ‘no offence but it’s true’ stack up in court? 

Can I say that on social media?

Moving to a new country is challenging enough, while also having to navigate the maze of our complex immigration system. But what rights do temporary visa holders have, how do you prove your long-distance romance is legitimate, and can lawyers help pave a smooth road to residency?

What rights do temporary visa holders have?

Going on a date with someone who doesn’t look like their profile pic can be bad enough – but is it a crime to not be who you say you are? From Tinder swindlers and scam callers, to catfishing and global extortion, we explore the laws of deception. 

I just got swindled. Who can I sue?

Whether it’s a bricks and mortar small business, or an online side hustle, there is so much small business owners must navigate without the luxury of HR departments or in-house counsel. How lawyers can help register your million-dollar idea, negotiate contracts, and step in if things turn sour. 

Starting a business: what can possibly go wrong?

What are my rights at work?

Regrettably we couldn’t cancel 2020: and it seems many of us are still struggling to get our money back from postponed holidays and cancelled bookings caused by snap border closures. Can tourism operators refuse to refund bookings when state governments close borders on a single case, and we are urged to stay home if we have a slight sniffle?

Can we refund 2020? Recouping the costs of COVID cancellations

In short, no. Our experts explain the penalties and pathways when facing charges of possessing drugs, how it can impact on job and travel plans and where to find the right advice.

I got caught with drugs. Is my life over?

Claiming “worker’s comp” can lead to jokes and raised eyebrows, but workplace injury affects more people than you think (even Kim Kardashian has suffered one). Find out the differences in personal injury across the states and whether you’re covered for everything from lunch break mishaps to psychological trauma.

Feeling the strain: can I claim workers comp?

You’ve received the summons, but what happens next? How do you tell your boss you need several weeks off work? Will you be paid? Is the food good? What do you do when your friends beg for gossip about the case? Our criminal law expert explains what to expect in jury duty.

Jury duty: why you don’t want to get out of it

Can you leave everything to your cat? Do scribbled wishes on a napkin count as a final testament? What if no one finds it? And why, despite the inevitability of death, are so many of us still so bad at building a watertight will?

Where there’s a will, there’s a day in court?

Knocking on the door to borrow a hammer and laughs over weekend barbeques: for many of us, such friendly neighbour chats are as unrelatable as a soapie script. We are more likely to complain about an overgrown tree branch, or an ear-splitting renovation. What happens when an over-the-fence spat turns into a courtroom summons? 

Can my neighbour really make me do that?

Declaring bankruptcy in movies is often pretty dramatic, so you might think that it means you’re hitting rock bottom. Lawfully Explained’s expert is here to explain how declaring bankruptcy sometimes is the thing that can set you free.

 

I’m bankrupt, now what?

‘No fault’ divorce means Australian courts will not consider why a marriage has ended: and statistically many once happy unions do. Our expert explains why divorce battles turn ugly, what is worth (and not worth) fighting over, and how you can navigate the Family Court to avoid post marriage messiness. 

Unhappy marriage, happy divorce?

It might seem a simple case of putting forward your case: you’ve seen all the crime dramas on Netflix, you know how it works. But will a judge go easy on you (given you didn’t even go to law school) or yell at you? Will the real lawyers in the room let you look at their notes? And how often do self-represented defendants actually come out on top?

Should I represent myself in court?

One in two Australians own a pet and many of us consider them to be the most important member of the household. But can you keep a horse in a city studio apartment? Can a landlord demand a resume or reference check for your pet? And can a strata committee evict or ban a pet for no reason? Our expert explains your rights as a tenant or owner. 

Can my landlord evict my fur baby?

Why is everything measured in six-minute intervals and do you have to pay for your lawyer’s coffee break? And what does no-win, no fee actually mean? Our expert explains what exactly is a billable hour, eligibility for Legal Aid, and how to have a conversation about costs that is (mostly) free of awkward moments.

How much will this cost me?

It can sometimes seem like lawyers speak another language, but if you find yourself needing legal help, what good is that?  Lawfully explained is the podcast that does exactly what the title suggests - it explains the law! We take complex legal speak and break it down into simple, easy to understand language so that if you ever do find yourself needing a lawyer, or needing to understand your rights, you go into it informed and knowing what to expect.  No jargon, and no having to rely on ‘The Vibe’ like Darryl Kerrigan did in The Castle, just helpful, real information to get you better understanding the legal system. 

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