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Lawyers who deal with all civil claims in the Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts of Queensland. Plus any brought in QCAT and the Federal Courts. Dealing with claims before the Court is what we focus on to get you the best result from both a personal and commercial aspect.
The phrase ‘alternative dispute resolution’ refers to different ways lawyers might try and settle a dispute ‘out-of-court’. They rely on the parties themselves to decide how they might settle their dispute by agreement. It involves negotiation, mediation and a consensual agreement.
The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) has provided a suite of rights that customers have against both the seller and the manufacturer if a product or service fails to meet your expectations. It provides remedies such as refunds, replacements and sometimes, compensation.
Debt collection or debt recovery from anyone that owes you (B2B or personal) can be stressful, time consuming, potentially futile and not least detrimental to your business. A lawyer acting quickly and effectively is often the key to collecting debts or recovering money owed.
Bankruptcy refers to the process of obtaining a sequestration order from a Federal Court to make a person bankrupt and have all their personal assets and interests sold by their Bankruptcy Trustee to pay off all their debts, or a proportionate amount of their debts to creditors.
Refers to the process of obtaining an order from a Court to wind up a company as insolvent (or on other grounds) and have all it’s affairs and assets placed into the control of an independent Liquidator to sell and pay debts owed to creditors, or a proportionate amount of those debts.
Refers to the conduct of one party to an agreement (which may be written, verbal or implied) failing to carry out what they promised to do under that agreement, which causes (or will cause) the other party (the innocent one) a financial loss or damage as a consequence of the ‘breach’.
When two or more people own shares in a company there is always opportunity for conflict and disagreement with either the way the Directors are managing the company’s affairs or directly between shareholders over their rights under a Shareholders Agreement, or at law.
Refers to a common law claim (a ‘tort’) against someone where it is alleged that the conduct of one party was in some way wrong, neglectful or inadequate such that it caused (or will cause) a financial loss to other party (the innocent person), to whom a duty of care was owed.
Refers to any claim where one party claims that another caused damage to any personal property, including cars, homes, pets, furniture, laptops, fences and other personal belongings. It is usually founded in the law of trespass (a ‘tort’), meaning the damage was unlawful and non-consensual.
Copyright refers to the rights of authors to protections from third parties to enjoy exclusive use of their creative works and monetise them for their own personal benefit. The rights can apply to words, plans, images, photographs, videos and other artistic works and are given ‘as of right’.
Defamation encompasses the old libel and slander laws. It refers to claims that a person has published false statements (written or oral) to a 3rd party that has defamed you such that it could (reasonably) cause damage your reputation in the community, causing you a financial loss.
I hold a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland (St Lucia, Brisbane) and obtained my Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Australian National University.
I was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and High Court of Australia on 4 February 2015.
I am a member of the Queensland Law Society and the Sunshine Coast Law Association (former Treasurer).
I am a volunteer Lawyer with the Suncoast Community Legal Service and very much enjoy the work I get to do there and currently serve on the Committee.
I have been working almost exclusively in the area of civil litigation since 2012, following my migration from the United Kingdom.
I am originally from the United Kingdom (Wales) where I worked in the engineering and construction industry before deciding to migrate to Australia and become a Lawyer.
I have always enjoyed litigating and appearing in court and have represented clients and appeared in the Supreme, District and Magistrates Courts of Queensland.
I have also appeared for clients in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) and the Federal Court of Australia.
I have lived on the Sunshine Coast since 2011, have made it my home and couldn't think of a more wonderful place to go to work everyday.
If you are browsing this page then I am sure you have already searched Google to find an answer to your legal problem but have either found yourself in trouble or more confused than ever. Choosing the right lawyer should be a considered decision.
At Black Bear Legal we hope to be adaptable to all client needs. Our style and attitude towards the law is serious, forthright and strong. We strive to represent a client's best case and put it forward in the best way we can to get a clients desired result, whatever that might be.
We strive to bring legal proceedings at the most appropriate time with the right claims. If defending a claim we'll do all we can to bring the claim to a successful end. That may mean taking the most commercial approach or, when appropriate, bringing the matter to court as quickly and efficiently as possible.
We are lawyers that you can trust and will go the extra mile to make sure you make any legal decision with the best and clearest possible understanding about the risks, the consequences and the rewards.
Don’t just pick the first lawyer you find (even us!). There are many lawyers that can provide a legal service and each have their own unique style, attitude and personality. Make sure you choose a lawyer that fits you.
Don’t just use the same lawyer you use for all your legal affairs. Lawyers tend to focus on certain areas of law to provide the best service they can. The law is extensive and no one lawyer can competently service all areas.
Find a lawyer that you trust. Your lawyer will be one of your most trusted advisors and will know things about you that you might not entrust to your own mother! Not only that but you need to trust your lawyers advice.
Be careful to choose the lawyer that fits your own style. Whilst a good lawyer can adapt their own style to fit you it would be easier if the lawyer already fits your style.
Choose a lawyer that you can understand. The law can be complex and as a non-lawyer you’ll need someone who can explain it to you in a way that you understand so that you can make the right decision on how to proceed.
Choose a lawyer that practices specifically in the area of law you need. A good lawyer will tell you when you need a lawyer with a different skillset than theirs. If they do, they are looking after you well!
Celebrate NAIDOC Week. A welcome focus on the history, culture and achievements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In Queensland a used car buyer gets a 1 day cooling period. Be sure you know exactly what that means for you and how to protect your rights to it and cancel the contract, if needed.
Be sure to throw your support behind Pride in Law and help bring about positive change to the experiences of the LGBTIQ+ legal community.
The loom is a pyramid scheme and has found a revival in Australia. It’s an illegal pyramid scheme but you can claim your money back if you’ve been scammed.
To commence legal proceedings you must always personally serve the Defendant or Respondent. Find out how.
If you are involved in legal proceedings then you’ll need to disclose documents to comply with your duty of disclosure.
Download a free contract of sale for a private car from our website to protect your rights
To prove a person owes you money or compensation you’ll need to prove your case against them on the balance of probailties. Find out more in our article.
It is possible to claim compensation for loss from the dog owners for dog fights or damage.
Buyers have rights to a refund, repair or compensation for ‘lemon’ vehicles under the Australian Consumer Laws.