Anne McDonald & Associates Lawyers

Anne McDonald & Associates Lawyers Anne McDonald Lawyers & Associates have many years of experience in personal and commercial matters.

Myth: Commercial litigation always results in a trial.Fact: Other modes of resolution are usually encouraged, and often ...
01/09/2026

Myth: Commercial litigation always results in a trial.
Fact: Other modes of resolution are usually encouraged, and often required, first.

If you're involved in a commercial dispute, you should always consider mediation or arbitration before going to court. Both offer a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to traditional litigation, and mediation is an increasingly popular method to resolve disputes.

In all Australian jurisdictions, courts have the power to refer parties to mediation regardless of whether both parties consent. Delay or failure to mediate, or failure to mediate in good faith, may result in an adverse costs order.

Even when mediation doesn't produce an immediate resolution, there is a strong settlement rate for matters referred to mediation, and it's common for a settlement to be reached after mediation concludes and before the matter proceeds to trial.

⚖️ Legal Lingo ⚖️What is 'stamp duty' in property sales?Stamp duty, officially called transfer duty in NSW, is a state g...
30/08/2026

⚖️ Legal Lingo ⚖️

What is 'stamp duty' in property sales?

Stamp duty, officially called transfer duty in NSW, is a state government tax paid when purchasing property, calculated on the property's sale price or market value, whichever is higher.

It's always paid by the buyer, not the seller, and it is calculated based on the value of the property - so the more expensive the property, the higher the duty payable.

In NSW, transfer duty must be paid within three months of signing a contract for sale, except for off-the-plan purchases, where buyers may defer payment for up to 12 months if they plan to live in the property.

It's one of the highest upfront costs in any property transaction, but first-home buyers may be eligible for an exemption or concession depending on the purchase price - it pays to understand your situation early.

If you or your partner own/co-own a business and your relationship breaks down, that business becomes part of the proper...
27/08/2026

If you or your partner own/co-own a business and your relationship breaks down, that business becomes part of the property settlement process, and the implications can be significant.

In Australia, business interests are considered property under the Family Law Act 1975 and must be disclosed, valued, and accounted for during property settlement proceedings, whether it's a small family-run operation or a larger company.

The court must identify and value all property of the parties before determining a just and equitable division, and where one or both parties hold an interest in a business, that interest must be brought into the asset pool at a figure that reflects its true economic value at the time of settlement.

Importantly, the valuation date is generally the date of the hearing, not the date of separation, which means a business that has grown significantly since separation may be valued and divided at its current higher value, even if that growth is largely attributable to the post-separation efforts of one party.

Looking to start a business this Financial Year? Although it’s an exciting prospect, getting started with a business als...
25/08/2026

Looking to start a business this Financial Year?

Although it’s an exciting prospect, getting started with a business also requires diligent legal preparation to avoid issues down the line.

We’ve got some key legal advice for you to get right before you begin, as these early decisions will set the legal and financial foundations for everything that follows:

1️⃣ Calculate your start-up costs carefully
2️⃣ Select the right business structure
3️⃣ Choose your business name early
4️⃣ Register your business properly
5️⃣ Get legal advice before signing any contract

We help new business owners get the legal foundations right from day one. If you need help legally setting up your business, get in touch with our team!

Whatever legal challenge you're navigating, there's a good chance we can help. Here's a summary of what we do at Anne Mc...
23/08/2026

Whatever legal challenge you're navigating, there's a good chance we can help. Here's a summary of what we do at Anne McDonald & Associates:

✅ Family law
✅ Conveyancing and property law
✅ Commercial transactions and litigation
✅ Wills, estate planning, and estate administration

Based in Rozelle and working with clients across Sydney, we pride ourselves on personal, direct service from the principal. Get in touch with us below!

📞 (02) 9166 0939
📧 anne@annemcdonaldlawyers

Thinking about doing DIY conveyancing? You should consider using a lawyer. DIY conveyancing is legally permitted in NSW,...
20/08/2026

Thinking about doing DIY conveyancing? You should consider using a lawyer.

DIY conveyancing is legally permitted in NSW, but it carries real risks that are easy to underestimate. Stamp duty in NSW is calculated on a sliding scale according to property value, and it must be paid within three months of signing a contract for sale.

That's just one of many deadlines and obligations in a property transaction that can catch people out.

A good conveyancing lawyer doesn't just fill in the forms for you; they review contracts for unusual terms, identify risks before you're legally committed, and make sure nothing slips through on settlement day.

Myth: Any lawyer can handle commercial litigation.Fact: Commmercial litigation requires special expertise. Many business...
18/08/2026

Myth: Any lawyer can handle commercial litigation.
Fact: Commmercial litigation requires special expertise.

Many business owners who find themselves facing commercial litigation think any lawyer can help them, but this isn't always the case.

Commercial litigation is a specialised area of law that requires a thorough understanding of contract law, corporate law, evidence and court procedure, and the strategic ability to assess the strengths and weaknesses of a case before a single document is filed.

The outcome can have real consequences for your business's finances and reputation, so getting advice from a lawyer who truly understands the ins and outs of the commercial landscape can make a significant difference to how efficiently and favourably a matter is resolved.

At our firm, we have decades of legal experience in commercial matters, and we can help you navigate litigation if your business is facing it.

In Australian commercial dealings, letters of intent (LOI) come up all the time, and many business owners aren't sure wh...
16/08/2026

In Australian commercial dealings, letters of intent (LOI) come up all the time, and many business owners aren't sure what they actually mean legally.

A letter of intent outlines the key terms parties agree on in principle during early negotiations.

In Australia, an LOI can be binding, non-binding, or a mix - most businesses want the commercial terms to be non-binding, so they can walk away if due diligence raises issues, while certain provisions such as confidentiality, exclusivity, and governing law are usually expressed as binding.

So what determines LOI enforceability? Under Australian contract law, what matters is the words used in the document, whether it says "binding" or "non-binding," and the conduct of the parties.

If both parties act as though the LOI is a contract, ordering materials, starting work, or incurring costs, an Australian court may find that binding obligations arose from conduct, even if the document said otherwise.

13/08/2026

Our principal, Anne McDonald, was admitted to practise law in NSW in December 1999, and she's been working directly with clients ever since.

So when you come to Anne McDonald & Associates, you deal with Anne personally, which means your matter gets the full benefit of her expertise from day one.

Need help with a legal issue? Get in touch with our team below.

📞 (02) 9166 0939
📧 anne@annemcdonaldlawyers

New analysis has shown that home ownership has fallen below 60% in Sydney for the first time since the 1950s. According ...
11/08/2026

New analysis has shown that home ownership has fallen below 60% in Sydney for the first time since the 1950s.

According to KPMG, Sydney has dropped to its lowest rate of home ownership in more than half a century, which shows just how far affordability has moved against households trying to buy where they live.

With Sydney's median combined dwelling value sitting at around $1.26 million, renting is the only solution for many people living in Sydney these days.

Because of that, understanding your rights as a tenant is more important than ever if you’re renting.

The Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW) was significantly strengthened in 2024, introducing changes including the removal of no-grounds evictions and new limits on how frequently rents can be increased.

Knowing what a lease says, what it should say, and where it leaves you exposed is something many renters never look into until something goes wrong. If you need help checking whether a lease is good for you, we can review it and make sure you're protected before you sign.

Address

Shop 1 , 745 Darling Street
Rozelle, NSW

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61291660939

Website

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