How do you know if your drivers’ licence is suspended?

Article from: Cars and driving

There are a number of ways you can find yourself without a drivers’ licence.  The most common are: You don’t have a licence because you have not renewed your licence You have been disqualified from driving (for example for drink driving) Your licence has been suspended. You usually know if the first two situations apply … Read More »

True or False – You have a right to privacy?

Article from: True or False

There is no general right to privacy in Australia. However there are laws protecting the privacy of information that is collected about you. No right to privacy means that there is no legal remedy for some things most people would think of as an invasion of privacy.  For example, there is no law to stop … Read More »

What is an enduring power of attorney and do you need one?

Article from: Your legal rights

An enduring power of attorney is a legal document that gives someone else the power to make decisions for you and act on your behalf, even after you lose capacity to make decisions for yourself.  The power of attorney can cover financial issues and personal issues (including your medical care and living arrangements). It is … Read More »

True or False – You change your name by deed poll?

Article from: True or False

Changing your name in Queensland is now done by filling in a form with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.  Deed polls are no longer used.  You can change your name through the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages only if: You were born in Queensland, or You were born overseas and have … Read More »

How to avoid telephone scams

Article from: Consumer and debt

Most of us know the usual email scams, but the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is reporting an increase in telephone and SMS scams, with over 43,000 telephone scams reported in Australia in 2011. The Australian Securities and Investment Commission is warning of a carbon tax compensation scam, where you receive an unsolicited phone call … Read More »

True or False – You have the right to remain silent?

Article from: True or False

The right to silence is a feature of our criminal law system, but your right to silence is not absolute. The right to silence is linked to the presumption of innocence, and the idea, that in our system it is better that the guilty go free, rather than have the innocent convicted.  Essentially, if you are … Read More »

What legal options are there to deal with financial hardship?

Article from: Consumer and debt

The rise in cost of living is constantly in the news, and this week there are reports that more people have fallen behind on their mortgages.  Many people still aren’t aware that the law provides options for people facing financial hardship and having trouble paying mortgages, loans and bills for essentials like electricity and telephone. … Read More »

True of false – if you find it you can keep it?

Article from: True or False

Despite the old saying “finders keepers” the law takes a dim view of people who keep things they find, especially things of value. While you might pick up a dollar coin on the footpath without the law taking too much interest, if you pick up a bag containing $10,000 and don’t turn it in to … Read More »

What is an unfair contract?

Article from: Consumer and debt

The Australian Consumer law introduced protection against unfair contracts from January 2011.  But this is an area of law that many people still haven’t heard about. The law applies only to: Consumer contracts That are in standard form. A contract term is unfair if it: Causes a significant imbalance in the rights of the consumer … Read More »

True or false – It’s illegal to wear felt slippers outside at night?

Article from: True or False

Good news for people who like to wear slippers outside at night.  For many years in Queensland, this choice of footwear was illegal.  But the modernisation of less serious offences in Queensland in 2004 saw a lot of old, and curious, laws repealed. It all went back to the time when being found outside wearing … Read More »