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Artificial intelligence (AI) has made it easier than ever to find information about almost any legal question. With a fe...
09/10/2026

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made it easier than ever to find information about almost any legal question. With a few sentences, you can ask AI about a contract, a dispute, your legal rights or whether you may have a claim and within seconds, you have an answer that sounds remarkably convincing.

But there is one important distinction to remember: Legal information is not the same as legal advice.

AI can be a useful starting point. It can explain legal terminology, provide general information and help you identify questions or issues that may need further investigation. The problem starts when an AI-generated answer is treated as though it were advice from a qualified legal practitioner.

Our law is complex and very fact-specific. The answer to a legal question may depend on the precise wording of a contract, the applicable legislation and regulations, court rules, common-law principles and relevant case law not to mention the particular facts and circumstances of YOUR matter.

AI can also get things wrong. It may misunderstand the facts you provide, overlook an important exception, rely on outdated legislation or case law or confidently refer to a case or legal principle that simply does not exist.

Contracts are a good example. You might ask AI whether a contract is enforceable, whether a particular clause is valid or whether you have the right to cancel an agreement. The answer may sound reasonable, but the outcome could depend on the exact wording of the agreement, how and why it was concluded, what has happened since and the legal principles that apply.

That is where context and experience matter. AI can help you find information. An attorney must determine how the law applies to your specific circumstances.

So, by all means, ask Advocate ChatGPT. Use AI to learn, to understand and to help you formulate questions to ask your attorney.

But perhaps what you really need isn’t another ChatGPT chat, it’s someone who knows what to do with the answer.

Reach out and let us chat instead: [email protected]

🎉WE’RE TURNING ONE AND TO CELEBRATE, WE ARE GIVING AWAY A FIELDBAR! 🍾Behind every successful business are people who sho...
07/10/2026

🎉WE’RE TURNING ONE AND TO CELEBRATE, WE ARE GIVING AWAY A FIELDBAR! 🍾

Behind every successful business are people who show up, lend a hand, give advice, make introductions, answer the phone or simply “hold down the fort” when things get tough.

So, for our Year 1 Anniversary, we’re putting the spotlight on YOUR Day-One.

NOMINATE SOMEONE WHO DESERVES IT! 🧡

Nominate a local business owner, colleague, friend or someone who is always there when you need them for the chance to win a THIS Fieldbar.

HOW TO ENTER:

1️⃣ Follow our page
2️⃣ Like and share this post
3️⃣ Tag the person you are nominating in the comments and tell us why they deserve to win.

We’ll be reading all the nominations and selecting 5 of our favourite/deserving nominations as finalists. Those 5 finalists will then be entered into a random lucky draw, with one winner being selected.

This giveaway is our small way of saying THANK YOU to the clients, colleagues, businesses, friends and community members who have supported us throughout our first year.

Because success isn’t built alone.

📅 Competition closes: 31 October 2026
🏆 Winner announced: 11 November 2026

Terms and conditions apply.

Conducting proper ingoing and outgoing inspections is one of the most important steps a landlord can take when renting o...
05/10/2026

Conducting proper ingoing and outgoing inspections is one of the most important steps a landlord can take when renting out a property.

Inspections can feel tedious. But when a dispute arises about damage to the property or the return of a deposit, a detailed inspection report can be significant.

Under the Rental Housing Act, the landlord and tenant must conduct a joint inspection of the dwelling before the tenant moves in. The purpose is to record the condition of the property before the tenancy begins.
An ingoing inspection should therefore be more than a quick walk-through while handing over the keys. The condition of the property should be carefully recorded, including the walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, cupboards, plumbing, electrical fixtures, locks, appliances and any existing defects or damage.

Dated photographs and videos, together with a written inspection report, can provide valuable evidence of the property’s condition at the beginning of the lease. Ideally, the tenant should be given an opportunity to inspect the report and acknowledge the condition recorded.

When the tenant vacates, an outgoing inspection should then be conducted. The condition of the property can be compared with the original ingoing inspection to determine whether any damage occurred during the tenancy.

Importantly, not every change to the property amounts to damage.

There is a distinction between damage caused by the tenant and fair wear and tear. A property will naturally show some signs of reasonable use over time. A landlord cannot simply deduct money from a tenant’s deposit because the property is no longer in exactly the same condition as the day the tenant moved in.

Where a tenant is responsible for damage that goes beyond fair wear and tear, the landlord may, subject to the applicable legal requirements and the terms of the lease, have grounds to recover legitimate repair costs from the deposit.

This is where proper records become particularly important. Photographs, videos, inspection reports, quotations and invoices can all assist in establishing what happened and what the actual cost of putting the property right is.

[email protected]

Ariel wanted legs. Ursula wanted Ariel’s voice. They entered into an agreement and, like any contract, there were terms,...
02/10/2026

Ariel wanted legs. Ursula wanted Ariel’s voice. They entered into an agreement and, like any contract, there were terms, obligations and consequences.

A contract is essentially an agreement where the parties undertake certain obligations. But what happens when one party does not do what they promised?

That is where breach of contract comes in.

Think of Ariel and Ursula 🧜🏼‍♀️ 🐙

Ursula agrees to give Ariel legs in exchange for her voice. Ariel’s obligations? Give up her voice and comply with the terms of the agreement. Ursula’s obligations? Give Ariel what was promised in return.

If one party fails to perform their obligation, that may amount to a breach of contract. And this is EXACTLY why contracts should contain a breach clause.

The breach clause:

A breach clause sets out what happens when one party fails to perform.
Depending on the contract, it may provide that the defaulting party must first be given written notice and an opportunity to remedy the breach within a specified period.

If the breach is not remedied, the innocent party may have the right to exercise remedies such as cancellation, specific performance and/or a claim for damages, depending on the circumstances and the terms of the agreement.

Without clear contractual provisions, parties can end up arguing about what happens next.

And what about that fine print?

The lesson from Ariel is not simply “read the contract.”

It is:
Know what you are agreeing to and know what happens if the other party doesn’t hold up their end of the bargain.

A well drafted contract should not only set out what each party must do. It should also provide a clear roadmap for what happens when something goes wrong.

Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you understand the obligations, the breach provisions and the consequences of non-performance.

[email protected]

There is usually a reason your attorney tells you not to send that WhatsApp, contact the other party, sign that document...
30/09/2026

There is usually a reason your attorney tells you not to send that WhatsApp, contact the other party, sign that document, post about the matter on Facebook, move money around or “just sort it out yourself.”

It’s not because your attorney enjoys saying no and it’s certainly not because we think our clients are incapable of making decisions.

It’s because, once you are involved in a legal dispute, what you do next can have legal consequences sometimes consequences that are much harder (and more expensive) to undo than the original problem. It can also cause significant delays in your matter.

To be fair, we know that being told to “do absolutely nothing” can feel incredibly frustrating when you just want to fix the situation yourself.

But before you send the angry message, sign the agreement, make the payment or have that “quick chat” with the other side … Maybe just call your attorney first.

We promise attorneys are not trying to ruin your fun. We’re trying to keep the problem from becoming a bigger and more expensive one.

📧 [email protected]

WHAT DOES THE FAMILY ADVOCATE DO?The Family Advocate assists in matters involving children where issues such as care, co...
28/09/2026

WHAT DOES THE FAMILY ADVOCATE DO?

The Family Advocate assists in matters involving children where issues such as care, contact, guardianship or parental responsibilities and rights are in dispute.

They may assist parents to reach an agreement through mediation. If the parents cannot agree, the Family Advocate may conduct an enquiry and make recommendations to the court about what is in the best interests of the child.

IS IT ONLY FOR DIVORCES?

No. The Family Advocate can become involved in various disputes concerning children, including disputes between unmarried parents and matters concerning care, contact, guardianship and parenting plans.

DO YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THE FAMILY ADVOCATE?

No. The services of the Family Advocate are provided free of charge by the State. However, if additional expert assessments or evidence are required, such as a psychological assessment, those costs may not necessarily be covered.

WHO DOES THE FAMILY ADVOCATE REPRESENT?

Neither parent. This is one of the biggest misconceptions. The Family Advocate is not your attorney and does not represent the other parent either. They are intended to remain neutral and independent, with their focus being the best interests of the child.

That means the Family Advocate isn’t there to decide which parent is “right”. Their role is to consider what arrangement is in the best interests of the child.

WHAT ABOUT THE CHILD’S WISHES?

A child’s views may be considered, depending on their age and maturity. But this does not mean that a child simply gets to choose which parent they want to live with. Their wishes are one of the factors considered as part of the broader best-interests enquiry.

WHO MAKES THE FINAL DECISION?

The court. The Family Advocate can make recommendations, but their recommendation is not a court order. The final decision remains with the court.

So, if you’re involved in a divorce or parenting dispute involving children, remember: The Family Advocate doesn’t take your side. They don’t take the other parent’s side. Their focus is the child.

If you’re unsure how the Family Advocate process works or how it may affect your matter, contact us [email protected]

We live in the age of the Google and Facebook review.Had a bad experience? ⭐️Loved the service? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Really unhappy...
25/09/2026

We live in the age of the Google and Facebook review.

Had a bad experience? ⭐️
Loved the service? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Really unhappy? Then you type your whole experience.

But what happens when a review goes beyond expressing dissatisfaction and starts making allegations that damage a business’s reputation? Can a Google review really amount to defamation? yes, potentially.

However, not every negative review is defamation. A customer is entitled to share their genuine experience and express an opinion about the service they received.

There is, however, a significant difference between:

“I was unhappy with the service and would never go back.”

and

“This business steals from its customers.”

The first is an expression of an individual’s experience and opinion. The second is a serious factual allegation which could damage the reputation of the business. In our law, a business can have a protectable interest in its reputation and good name. A Google review is also a form of publication because it communicates the statement to third parties and potentially thousands of prospective customers.

One of the key questions is whether the review expresses an opinion based on the person’s experience or makes a factual allegation capable of being proved or disproved.

The court will consider the actual words used, their context and what a reasonable reader would understand the statement to mean. But having a genuinely bad experience does not automatically mean that everything said in a review is legally protected.

Importantly, a business also cannot simply call every negative review “defamation” because it dislikes the criticism.

The takeaway:

Tell people about your experience. Express your opinion. But be careful about turning your experience into allegations about another person’s or business’s honesty, integrity or conduct. Because there is a difference between leaving a bad review and making a defamatory statement.

Got a review that has crossed the line? Speak to us before responding publicly.

[email protected]

Client: “This is urgent. We need to go to court immediately!”Attorney: “Is it legally urgent?”And no, this doesn’t mean ...
23/09/2026

Client: “This is urgent. We need to go to court immediately!”

Attorney: “Is it legally urgent?”

And no, this doesn’t mean your problem isn’t important. It means that urgency in court has a specific legal meaning. An urgent application allows a matter to be brought before the court outside the ordinary time periods and procedures.

But you can’t simply label something “urgent” because it is stressful, inconvenient or because you want an answer tomorrow.

So, what makes a matter urgent?

In terms of Rule 6(12) of the Uniform Rules of Court, an applicant must set out the circumstances that make the matter urgent and explain why substantial redress cannot be obtained in due course.

In simple terms: What happens if we wait?

If waiting for the ordinary court process means that the eventual relief will be too late or ineffective, there may be genuine urgency.

And then there’s…well… SELF-CREATED URGENCY

This is where things get interesting. If you knew about the problem weeks ago, did nothing and then suddenly approach your attorney saying: “WE NEED TO BE IN COURT TOMORROW!”

…the court may ask why you waited.

A litigant generally cannot create urgency by simply sitting on their rights until the last minute. That is known as self-created urgency. That said, there may be a reasonable explanation for the delay, or circumstances may have changed.

What happens in an urgent application?

The court will generally consider the urgency first. If the applicant cannot establish sufficient urgency, the matter may be struck from the urgent roll, potentially with a costs order, without the court even deciding the underlying dispute.

So when your attorney says:

“I don’t think this is urgent.”

They aren’t necessarily saying:

“Your problem isn’t important.”

They may be saying:

“Your problem may be important, but it doesn’t justify bypassing the ordinary court process.”

Need advice about whether your matter requires urgent court intervention? Contact us [email protected]

I was left out of the Will. Can I challenge it?Yes, but not simply because you’re unhappy with what you inherited. Our l...
18/09/2026

I was left out of the Will. Can I challenge it?

Yes, but not simply because you’re unhappy with what you inherited. Our law recognises the principle of freedom of testation. In simple terms, a person generally has the right to decide who should inherit from their estate and how their assets should be distributed. But that freedom is not absolute. It’s important to note that being a spouse, child, family member or close friend does not automatically give you a right to inherit.

So, when can a Will be challenged?

Here are some examples:

IMPROPER EX*****ON
The Will does not comply with the formal requirements of the Wills Act. For example, the signing or witnessing requirements were not properly followed.

LACK OF CAPACITY
The testator did not have the necessary mental capacity to understand the nature and consequences of making the Will when it was signed.

UNDUE INFLUENCE OR COERCION
The testator was pressured, threatened, manipulated or improperly influenced into making a Will that did not reflect their genuine wishes.

FORGERY OR FRAUD
The Will was forged, a signature was falsified or the document was fraudulently changed so that it no longer reflects the testator’s true intentions.

“But the Will is completely unfair!”

Unfortunately, unfair does not necessarily mean invalid. You cannot challenge a Will simply because you believe the deceased made the wrong decision, because you received less than expected or because another family member received more.

There must be a recognised legal basis for the challenge. A challenge to the validity of a Will is generally brought by way of an application to the High Court. The application must set out the grounds relied upon in detail and, importantly, be supported by evidence.

Remember the legal principle: He who alleges must prove.

If you believe a Will may be invalid, don’t wait until the estate has already been distributed. Obtain legal advice as soon as possible so that the position can be properly assessed and the appropriate steps considered.

Not sure whether a Will can be challenged?

📩 Contact us at [email protected]

17/09/2026

Today I would like to send out a huge gratitude post.

There are certain people who have recently come into our lives and have made such a huge impact.

You will never understand how much you have done for us and how much easier you have made all the challenges we have faced recently.

To Taryn and Jade from JMD Solutions.

You have taken a mess and created a miracle, your professionalism and assistance are a true blessing to us and we can not thank you enough for everything you have done for us ❤️

To Hein and Susan from BGS Attorneys,

You have turned a mountain into a molehill for us and our goals are now visible again. We are so eternally grateful for being there through all of this and the constant communication and feedback has been so easing during a troublesome time ❤️

Then to Louisa from Equi-Feeds Equestrian for being there for us with your knowledge and your contacts we are so grateful to you for helping in ways you don’t even realise 💞

And as always, to Choice Carriers for being our drop of point for both horses and donations. Megan, Joe and Marius for always doing your very best to help us in even the smallest way possible. Karen I know you are in the background there too so you are not forgotten at all ❤️

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