Sydney Lawyers in Parramatta

The office is on Level 49, 8 Parramatta Square, Parramatta NSW 2150. Parramatta Square is about two minutes' walk from Parramatta station, which is served by the T1, T2 and T5 train lines and Blue Mountains Line services, and it sits beside the Parramatta bus interchange. The Parramatta Square light rail stop on Macquarie Street is on the L4 line between Westmead and Carlingford. If you are driving, the Parramatta Square public car park is entered from the corner of Smith and Darcy Streets. The office is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

It depends on the type of matter. Most criminal charges, AVO applications and civil claims up to $100,000 start in the Local Court, and the closest venue to the office is Parramatta Local Court at 12 George Street. More serious criminal matters and larger civil claims are heard in the District Court, which sits at the Sydney West Trial Courts in Parramatta, or in the Supreme Court in the Sydney CBD. Tenancy, consumer, strata and home building disputes go to NCAT, and family law parenting and property cases are heard in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, which has a Parramatta registry.

In New South Wales a protection order is called an apprehended violence order, or AVO. There are two types under the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007: an apprehended domestic violence order (ADVO), where the people are or were in a domestic relationship, and an apprehended personal violence order (APVO) for other situations, such as neighbours or co-workers. Applications are usually heard in the Local Court, and police apply for most ADVOs. An AVO is not a criminal conviction, but breaching one is a criminal offence. Whether you need protection or have been served with an application, try to get advice before the first court date.

In NSW a seller must have a contract for sale prepared before a residential property is marketed, and it must include prescribed documents such as a title search, plan, zoning certificate and sewer diagram. Buyers of residential property generally have a cooling-off period of five business days after contracts are exchanged, and a buyer who withdraws during that time forfeits 0.25 per cent of the purchase price. There is no cooling-off period when you buy at auction. Transfer duty is paid to Revenue NSW. Having the contract reviewed before you exchange can help you avoid expensive surprises.

Most disputes between tenants and landlords are decided by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) under the Residential Tenancies Act 2010. NCAT's Consumer and Commercial Division also hears consumer claims, strata disputes and home building claims of up to $500,000 under the Home Building Act 1989. NCAT is designed to be less formal than a court and many people represent themselves, but its orders are legally binding. There is an NCAT registry at Level 5, 9 George Street, Parramatta. Advice before a hearing can help you understand what evidence you need and what orders you can ask for.

If you believe you were not adequately provided for in a will, you may be able to apply for a family provision order under Chapter 3 of the Succession Act 2006. In NSW the application generally must be filed within 12 months of the date of death. The Supreme Court can extend this if there is sufficient cause, but it is risky to rely on that. Only eligible people can apply, such as a spouse, de facto partner, child or, in some cases, a former spouse or dependant of the person who died. Seek advice as soon as you have concerns.

Yes. People contact the Sydney office from across greater Sydney and regional New South Wales. Many matters, including conveyancing, wills, commercial advice and much of the preparation for a court matter, can be handled by phone, email and video call, with documents signed electronically where the law allows it. If your matter is governed by Victorian or Queensland law, our Melbourne and Brisbane offices can assist.