A wrath of changes will be imposed upon Queensland legal practitioners, real estate agents, landlords, and mortgagees when the Property Law Act 2023 comes into effect on 1 August 2025. According to Tara Cush, College of Law lecturer Queensland, there will be the need to use specific forms to meet obligations under the new Act.

Family Law can be a challenging practice area at times. To assist we have collated a range of family law resources, from bench books to trauma-informed practice guides. These tools can assist family lawyers in navigating complex cases, particularly when dealing with matters involving domestic violence, trauma, and vulnerable clients.

The High Court has clarified the relationship between successive trustees in the recent decision of Naaman v Jaken Properties. Tasman Fleming, barrister and nationally accredited mediator (NMAS) and adjunct lecturer at the College of Law, reviews this significant case which addresses whether a successor trustee owes fiduciary obligations to a former trustee in respect of that former trustee's right of indemnity.

Restrictive covenants on property titles can become outdated relics that hinder development and create unnecessary burdens for owners. Here to shed light on this often-overlooked aspect of property law is property specialist and College of Law adjunct lecturer, Greg Stilianou. Greg explains the common types of obsolete covenants, legal pathways for their removal, and potential reforms that could streamline the process for property owners.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia recently announced an expansion of its innovative Court Dog Program, with three new facility dogs set to join the Sydney, Parramatta and Newcastle registries early this year. This expansion, funded by the Law Society of New South Wales, builds upon the program's remarkable success in Melbourne and Hobart.

So how do you cultivate a commercial mindset as a lawyer? We spoke with Wenee Yap, a trained lawyer who now coaches lawyers on developing their entrepreneurial edge. Wenee co-authored Riding the Unicorn: The Startup Guide You'll Want To Read, a comprehensive ‘idea-to-IPO’ guide to building and scaling businesses.

The work of a lawyer can be demanding, and not simply in an intellectual sense. Emotional stakes can run high, and client trauma may intertwine with a practitioner’s own psychological well-being. The Honourable Robert Benjamin AM SC offers invaluable insights on the essential skill of professional debriefing.

The Honourable Robert Benjamin AM SC is no stranger to conflict. Having served for nearly sixteen years as a judge on the Family Court of Australia, Robert has also been a Commissioner for Tasmania’s Inquiry into Government Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings. It’s a career that has seen him navigate the complex human dynamics of the courtroom. Robert shares his practical framework to navigate tricky conversations, specifically designed to help lawyers deliver unwelcome news to clients.

Managing professional development across a team can be overwhelming. Deadlines loom, client demands grow, and compliance remains non-negotiable. Training shouldn’t add to the stress—it should empower your team to thrive.

If you’re only doing CPD to stay compliant, you’re missing out. The real power of professional development is about building the skills, confidence, and expertise that make you stand out (along with staying up-to-date of course).