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Alison and Jillian Barrett are Principals at Maurice Blackburn. The Queensland sisters are experienced lawyers and passionate social justice campaigners.

Alison and Jillian Barrett are both principals at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers. Alison juggles motherhood, as well as heading up a major legal practice area. Younger sister Jillian also leads a team of lawyers and sports a double degree in Law and Journalism.

16/10/2026

Your neighbour's lights are keeping you awake. Can you do anything about it? 🥱💡

One NSW renter has been losing sleep because a neighbour's bright kitchen light shines directly into their apartment every night.

But when does an annoying light become a legal nuisance? And is the landlord responsible for installing blackout blinds?

Find out more:

Is keeping a light on at all hours illegal? One Aussie wants to find out.

08/10/2026

Could you be forced to pay for someone else's dumped rubbish? 😱🗑️

One Australian resident says they did everything right: they booked a hard rubbish collection and placed their items out for pickup.

But after extra waste allegedly appeared overnight, they were left facing an unexpected problem and a potential bill for rubbish they claim wasn't theirs.

If someone dumps waste outside your home, what can you do?

The resident walked outside the next morning and spotted something unexpected.

01/10/2026

If a lemon tree hangs over a fence, is the fruit fair game? 🖐️🍋

One Queensland homeowner was left frustrated when a neighbour repeatedly picked lemons from their tree, believing they were entitled to take them.

This week, we unpack what the law says about overhanging branches, property boundaries and where the legal line is drawn.

Think it's fair game? Read this first:

Think fruit hanging over a front fence is free for the taking? A legal expert explains when picking it could cross the line into stealing.

23/09/2026

You mow it. You water it. You look after it... But did you know the nature strip outside your home isn't yours? 🤔🍃

One Aussie homeowner learned the hard way after spending $800 on a native garden, only to be told it had to be removed because they hadn't obtained council approval first.

Did you know you may need council approval before making changes to a nature strip?

What would you do in this situation?

Read more here:

The homeowner was stunned to receive a council letter months after creating the low-maintenance garden.

18/09/2026

🍂 Quick question: If your neighbour's tree drops leaves into your backyard, do you:

A) Clean them up yourself
B) Ask your neighbour to clean them up
C) Cue a neighbourhood feud.

If you picked C, you might want to read this first...👀:

It was laughable when it first started happening, but now it's turning into a bigger problem.

09/09/2026

Could a gift from the "Bank of Mum and Dad" turn into a debt years later? 🏦👫

One Aussie couple says they received $60,000 from a family member to help buy their first home, believing it was a gift with no strings attached.

Five years later, a family falling out has led to a very different conversation, with the money now being claimed as a loan that should be repaid.

Should money given by family come with a formal agreement, or is a promise enough?

✏️ Find out more here:

There was no contract, no repayment plan and, according to the couple, it was always called a gift. Now their mother-in-law wants the entire $60,000 back.

04/09/2026

Should reflective markings be mandatory for trailers parked on the street? 🛻✨

An Aussie driver has raised concerns after colliding with a trailer parked on the side of a residential road, saying it extended into the roadway and was hard to see at night.

Should there be stricter rules around where boats and trailers can be parked and how visible they need to be at night?

What do you think?

A driver who collided with a barely visible trailer after dark wants to know whether its owner could also be held responsible.

27/08/2026

How many nights can your partner stay over before your landlord gets a say? ❤️🏡🥸

One Queensland renter was reportedly told their partner could only stay two nights a week because they weren’t named on the lease, leaving them feeling watched in their own home.

It's sparked a bigger question about how much say landlords should have over what renters do in their own homes.

So, is a two-night limit a fair rule or a step too far?

What do you think?

An Aussie renter was shocked after receiving a 'creepy' message from their property manager.

21/08/2026

Bought an EV car but have nowhere convenient to charge it? ⚡🔌

Running a charging cable from your home across the footpath might seem like an easy solution but it could put you on the wrong side of the rules and potentially leave you with a hefty fine.

With EV ownership growing, charging access is becoming an issue for Australians without off-street parking.

Should our streets and infrastructure be adapting faster to keep up?

With more Australians switching to electric cars, many are discovering an unexpected problem if they don't have off-street parking.

14/08/2026

What happens when Dad’s promise and the will don’t tell the same story? 😞💔

A family home is at the centre of an inheritance dispute after one family member says their father told them the property would one day be theirs.

When expectations clash with legal entitlements, things can quickly become complicated.

So, does a verbal commitment carry any weight and what options are available if the estate doesn’t reflect what you were told?

A father's repeated promise that the family home would go to one child has ended in heartbreak after his death.

Address

Brisbane, QLD
4000

Telephone

+611800675371

Website

https://www.mauriceblackburn.com.au/

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