Watkins Tapsell Solicitors

02/09/2026

One of the most common patterns we see in disputes is delay.

Issues are often left too long, giving positions time to harden and costs to build. What could have been resolved early becomes more complex than it needed to be.

Early advice does not mean escalating a matter. In many cases, it creates more options and a clearer path forward.

Addressing issues at the right time can make a significant difference to both outcome and cost.

We’re here to help our clients for life.

Get in touch for a confidential discussion.

31/08/2026

A big month of birthdays across the team 🎈

Happy birthday to:
🎈Julie Maguire – 1 September (not pictured)
🎈Kriss Machej – 2 September
🎈Jamie Roche – 3 September
🎈Amy Dowler – 10 September
🎈Charli Hagan – 24 September
🎈Luz Bejar-Chavez – 28 September (not pictured)
🎈Tiana Daly – 29 September

Wishing you all a fantastic birthday and a great month ahead.

28/08/2026

25/08/2026

Scams are becoming more sophisticated, and many now closely resemble legitimate communications.

Scams Awareness Week (24 to 28 August) is a timely reminder for both individuals and businesses to stay alert.

Common risks include:
❌Emails or messages that appear to be from trusted organisations
❌Requests for urgent payments or changes to bank details
❌Unexpected links or attachments
❌Impersonation of clients, suppliers or service providers

A moment of pressure or urgency is often where mistakes happen. Taking simple steps like verifying payment details, slowing down decision making and confirming requests through trusted channels can significantly reduce risk.

21/08/2026

Estate planning is about more than having a Will in place.
Here’s what a well considered plan can deliver 👉🏼

19/08/2026

This month we’re supporting World Vision Australia 🌏During a time of global uncertainty, World Vision continues to partner with First Nations communities and organisations, supporting them in addressing inequality, discrimination and cultural disconnection.

If you would like to learn more or support their work visit:
https://bit.ly/DonateAtWorldVisionAU

17/08/2026

Workplace obligations continue to evolve and businesses can be caught off guard. Common areas of risk include:

👉Misclassification of employees and contractors
👉Outdated employment agreements
👉Inadequate workplace policies
👉Handling of disputes or terminations

Even small oversights can lead to costly claims or regulatory issues. Taking a proactive approach to employment compliance helps protect your business and provides clarity for your team.

Talk to our employment law team for a confidential discussion.

14/08/2026

From last month, NSW requires commercial and institutional food waste generators to use separate Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) collection services.

This affects a wide range of businesses, including cafés, restaurants, supermarkets, caterers, schools, hospitals and community venues. What this means in practice:
👉A separate bin and collection service for food waste will be required
👉Landlords and strata managers will need to plan for additional bin space
👉There may be some initial cost increases

This is one of the more significant operational changes for the sector in recent years, and early planning will make the process smoother.

More information is available via the NSW Environment Protection Authority:
https://bit.ly/FOGO_MandatesAndRollout

12/08/2026

Many disputes don’t start as major issues. They build over time. A delayed conversation, an unclear agreement, or a misunderstanding can quickly escalate into something more complex and costly.

Seeking advice early can often change the direction of a matter entirely. It creates the opportunity to resolve issues before positions become fixed and before unnecessary costs are incurred.

If something feels like it is heading in the wrong direction, it is usually worth addressing sooner rather than later.
We take a legally grounded and solutions focused approach, helping parties move forward with clarity and certainty.

For a confidential discussion:
Contact Sonja Daly for commercial and general matters
Contact Jamie Roche for family matters.