ABKJ Lawyers

19/08/2026

ABKJ Lawyers was pleased to be represented by Biannca Johnson and Sonja Dickmann at the Gold Coast Junior Chamber of Commerce Sunset Sessions event at Mr P.P.’s in Southport.

It was a great opportunity to catch up with familiar faces, meet other local professionals and connect with the Gold Coast business community in a relaxed setting.

Thank you to the GCJCC committee for putting on another great event.

14/08/2026

A great morning at the Beyond Benowa Network Breakfast.

We heard from three Benowa alumni — Matt Gill of MCG Legal, Hot Tomato’s Christo and EMF founder Scott Freeman — who brought very different perspectives from careers spanning law, media, business, fitness and the military.

The discussion covered everything from handling failure and stress to managing risk in business. One point on which all three agreed stood out: financial literacy — understanding budgeting, tax and money generally — remains an important gap in preparing the next generation for life beyond school.

Thank you to Benowa State High School and the Beyond Benowa network for bringing the local community together, to Southport Yacht Club for hosting the breakfast, and to Matt, Christo and Scott for a candid and thought-provoking discussion.

28/07/2026

A significant milestone for the ABKJ Lawyers team.

We are delighted to congratulate Jake English on his admission as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland.

Jake’s admission was moved by ABKJ partner Tony Kyle, following the completion of Jake’s legal studies, practical legal training and supervised workplace experience with the firm.

Congratulations, Jake. We are proud to have been part of the journey and look forward to the next chapter.

15/07/2026

It is always lovely to know that a client has appreciated the work we have done.

Otilia De Sousa recently received these beautiful flowers and chocolates from a family law client thanking her for her hard work and support.

Family law matters can be difficult and deeply personal, so feedback like this means a great deal to our team.

Thank you for the thoughtful gesture.

29/06/2026

Buying property or a business in Australia as a foreign buyer? Address FIRB approval before you sign, not after.

Whether Foreign Investment Review Board approval is required will depend on the buyer, the asset, and how the transaction is structured. Getting it wrong can stall a transaction, delay settlement, or place the transaction at risk.

The key points:

Residential — From 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2027, foreign persons are generally restricted from buying established dwellings, with only limited exceptions. New dwellings, qualifying near-new dwellings, and vacant residential land may still be available, although approval and conditions will usually apply.

Commercial — Approval can also be triggered by acquisitions of Australian land, business interests, agricultural land, or interests in entities holding land or land-related assets.

The practical takeaway: deal with FIRB up front. Where approval is needed, the contract should properly address timing, conditions precedent, application obligations, and the consequences of delay, refusal or conditional approval.

We unpack both sides in our articles below:

Residential FIRB approvals:
https://www.abkj.com.au/articles/buying-a-home-in-australia-as-a-foreign-person/

Commercial FIRB approvals:
https://www.abkj.com.au/articles/firb-approval-in-for-commercial-transactions-in-australia/

Learn the FIRB rules for foreign buyers in Australia, including approval requirements, established dwelling restrictions, fees, and vacancy rules.

24/06/2026

ABKJ Lawyers was pleased to attend the Women of Influence (QLD) Annual Great Debate 2026.

This year’s topic, “Confidence is More Important Than Competence in the Workplace”, made for a lively and entertaining discussion over breakfast.

It was a great topic for the format: clear enough for everyone to have a view, and provocative enough to keep the room engaged. The speakers brought humour, energy and plenty of food for thought to a question that plays out in workplaces every day.

Thank you to Women of Influence (QLD) for hosting another well-organised event, and for bringing together members of the Gold Coast business community for a morning of conversation, connection and good-humoured debate.

23/06/2026

Lease coming up for renewal?

The time to act is well before the expiry date — not the week before it expires.

Renewal options are often subject to strict conditions, including when and how notice must be given.

A missed deadline can affect business continuity, rent negotiations and the tenant’s security of tenure.

For landlords, renewal periods also need to be managed carefully, particularly where rent reviews, retail leasing obligations or renewal documentation are involved.

We discuss the key issues for tenants and landlords in our article:

https://www.abkj.com.au/articles/lease-renewal-what-tenants-and-landlords-should-know/

ABKJ Lawyers can assist with lease renewals and commercial leasing matters.

What happens when a commercial lease ends? Learn about lease renewal rights, option clauses, rent reviews and key obligations for tenants and landlords.

15/06/2026

From 1 July 2026, some clients may be asked for more information when starting a legal matter.

This is because new Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing obligations will apply to certain legal services in Australia.

For clients, the main change is likely to be extra identity and verification checks. In some matters, we may also need information about the source of funds or source of wealth connected with a transaction.

This may apply to matters involving property transactions, business transactions, companies, trusts, or dealings with client funds.

These checks are part of a broader compliance process, and providing requested information early can help avoid delays in time-sensitive matters.

We explain the upcoming changes and what clients should expect in our article below:

https://www.abkj.com.au/articles/new-aml-ctf-client-checks-from-july-2026/

ABKJ Lawyers can assist clients and businesses preparing for these changes.

19/05/2026

ABKJ Lawyers was pleased to attend the Beyond Benowa Network Breakfast at Southport Yacht Club.

Hosted by Benowa State High School, the event brought together students, local businesses and members of the broader Gold Coast community for an inspiring morning of connection and conversation.

Thank you to the organisers and guest speakers for a meaningful event focused on marketing, innovation, AI and the opportunities shaping the future of business.

17/05/2026

ABKJ Lawyers was delighted to attend the Family Law Pathways Network Gala Dinner at Southport Yacht Club in celebration of Family Week 2026.

The evening brought together professionals across the family law and community services sectors, with guest speaker Her Honour Judge Kara Best sharing valuable insights.

Thank you to the Family Law Pathways Network for a wonderful evening of connection and professional learning.