Legal Articles

Slip and fall accidents often occur without warning. A wet supermarket entrance, a cracked council footpath, or poorly lit stairs in a commercial building can quickly lead to serious injury. While these incidents may appear minor at first, the consequences can be significant. Injuries frequently include fractures, spinal injuries, soft tissue damage, or ongoing mobility issues that affect daily life and the ability to work. In New South Wales, these incidents are typically assessed under public liability law. Determining responsibility is not always straightforward. Liability often depends on several key factors, including who controlled the area, whether the hazard was foreseeable, and what reasonable steps should have been taken to prevent harm.

Motor vehicle accidents often unfold in seconds. Yet the legal and insurance consequences can continue for months or even years. In many cases, disputes arise about how the accident occurred, who was responsible, and whether any party contributed to the outcome. Dashcam technology is increasingly changing that dynamic. Footage recorded moments before and during a collision can provide a powerful record of events. When preserved correctly, it can clarify fault, strengthen a compensation claim, and help insurers reach faster decisions.

Construction projects are intended to deliver certainty, safety, and long-term value. When a building appears sound at completion, there is often an assumption that the work has been carried out properly. However, that assumption does not always hold. In New South Wales, latent defects frequently emerge years after construction has finished, often when the cost of rectification is significant and responsibility is contested. Latent defects give rise to some of the most complex disputes in construction law. Often a latent defect emerges after contractual defect liability periods have expired, which in turn affects available causes and action.

When family relationships change, decisions about children carry long-term legal and emotional consequences. In Australia, post-separation parenting arrangements are usually recorded through either parenting plans or parenting orders. While both are intended to support stable and child-focused outcomes under Family Law NSW, they operate very differently in practice and law. At Maguire & McInerney Lawyers, our experienced family law team provides clear, practical guidance on the most appropriate way to manage parenting arrangements, whether through cooperative agreements or binding court orders. Our approach draws on deep expertise and a commitment to outcomes that protect children’s best interests. 

Professional indemnity insurance sits quietly in the background of many NSW businesses, right up until something goes wrong. A client alleges negligent advice, a design error causes loss, or a professional service falls short of expectations. Even where a business has acted reasonably, defending that allegation can be costly. Professional indemnity cover exists to manage that risk. At Maguire & McInerney, we regularly assist businesses and professionals where claims arise or where insurers decline cover. Our approach is practical and commercial, aimed at protecting long-term business interests, not just winning an argument.

Winning a court judgment is an important milestone in any debt recovery or commercial litigation matter. However, a judgment is only a formal declaration that money is owed. When payment does not follow, creditors need to move from judgment to enforcement.  In New South Wales, enforcement is governed by the Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) and Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), which provide a range of tools to obtain payment.  This article sets out practical enforcement steps and explains where each option fits in the court hierarchy, and provides a compliance checklist to support a clean, strategic recovery process.

Injuries do not arrive with warning, and the impact is rarely limited to physical recovery. Time off work, reduced income, business disruption, and ongoing treatment can follow quickly. In NSW, compensation claims also begin moving immediately in the background, whether that is through workers compensation, the CTP motor accidents scheme, or a public liability pathway. The practical reality is simple: the first steps taken after an injury often shape what can be recovered later. In our experience, a strong claim is built on three early moves: Secure evidence while it is fresh. Notify the right parties within strict deadlines. Get legal advice early, before insurers set the agenda. Each step is straightforward, and each one materially protects a claim.

The holiday season changes the rhythm of NSW roads. Traffic volumes climb, trips stretch further, and routines loosen. These shifts are a big part of why motor vehicle accidents rise sharply from late December through summer. A brief lapse on a crowded motorway or an unfamiliar coastal street can leave lasting injury, time away from work, and a complex path through insurance. At Maguire & McInerney, we have guided thousands of people through motor accident claims. Our role is to steady the process early, protect legal rights, and pursue outcomes that reflect the real impact of the injury. Our Motor Vehicle Accidents team handles everything from evidence gathering to insurer negotiations and, where needed, court proceedings.

When you’ve been injured, the last thing you want is to be caught out by strict time limits that could prevent you from receiving the compensation you deserve.  In New South Wales, personal injury claims are governed by specific rules around timing—and missing a deadline can mean losing your right to claim altogether. Understanding these limits, and acting quickly, is essential. The General Rule: 3 Years from Discovery In most personal injury matters, the standard limitation period is three years from the "date of discoverability". This is the point at which you first knew (or ought reasonably to have known) that:

As the festive season approaches, many Australian employers are planning year-end celebrations. This article explains how to manage duty of care obligations, address potential incidents at work-sponsored events and maintain compliance under WHS law.

Bushfires are a devastating reality in Australia, and for many households, they strike with little warning. Beyond the immediate loss and emotional impact, survivors are often left navigating complex insurance claims in the hope of rebuilding their homes and lives. Understanding whether your policy covers bushfire damage, and knowing what to do if your claim is delayed or denied, is essential. In this article, we explain how to ensure you have the right cover, the steps to take after a bushfire, and how legal support can help if disputes arise. Does Your Insurance Cover Bushfire Damage? Not all home and contents insurance policies provide the same level of bushfire protection. While most modern policies in New South Wales do include bushfire-related losses, there are key details to check before disaster strikes:

The holiday season—full of expectation, tradition and family time—can bring unexpected stress for separated parents. With the right planning, cooperation and sometimes compromise, you can create a co-parenting holiday schedule that is clear and aligned with your children’s best interests. In this article, we share practical tips for crafting conflict-free holiday arrangements, guidance on updating parenting orders, and explain the importance of early communication to avoid last-minute disputes. Why Clear Holiday Parenting Arrangements Matter When families separate, the shift from everyday routines to special occasions can amplify tensions. A poorly defined holiday parenting arrangement may lead to confusion, conflict and even court involvement. By proactively establishing a well-structured parenting arrangement for the festive season, you set the stage for positive experiences for your children and reduce risk.