ound the trumpet and bang the drums, because National Law Week is here again from 15-21 May 2017.Law Week is an opportunity for the legal industry to celebrate and promote a better understanding of the law and legal processes to the general public. But it's not a unique activity, as similar celebrations centred on the promotion of the rule of law also take place … [Read more...]
Our law hacks ideology is a world first that is not only designed to keep you informed and empowered about your everyday rights, but also help you to avoid common and preventable pitfalls in life.
We coined the term "Law Hack" in 2015 to describe a quick, simple and actionable legal tip that makes life easier for everyday Australians. Like a life hack, a law hack significantly improves the lives of young Australians like you by explaining complex legal principles in entertaining everyday language that is easy to digest. A legal tip for successfully appealing a parking fine is an example of a law hack. Our definition has now been included in the LexisNexis Online Australian Legal Dictionary 2nd Edition.
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Lessons From Airbus: Avoiding Jumbo Jet-Sized Due Diligence Pitfalls
t recently emerged that Airbus has been the subject of investigations in five countries, including Australia. These investigations are in relation to allegations of fraud, bribery, corruption and other offences, such as falsely inflating prices during transactions.This comes amid a review by Airbus into its dealings with third-party consultants, prompted by investigations … [Read more...]
In Brief: Snapshot Of Current Bail Framework In Victoria
A person accused of committing a crime and who is being held in custody is generally entitled to be granted bail unless a Court refuses bail under section 4(1) of the Bail Act 1977 (Vic) on the basis that there is an ‘unacceptable risk’ that the accused person, if released on bail, would:fail to surrender himself/herself into custody and answer bail commit an offence … [Read more...]
#QuickLaw: Copyright Law Reality Check
he internet is a font of wisdom on any topic you could conceivably wish to learn more about. Punch your question into Google and 'Voilà!' there's your answer. But when it comes to intellectual property law, it's important to distinguish between Search Results containing reliable information and dangerous misinformation. The breakneck speed in which online information and ideas … [Read more...]
#QuickLaw: Can You Legally Own A Hashtag?
’m a big fan of the #perthisok hashtag (I know, judge me accordingly) but I never really considered that someone could have intellectual property rights in something that seems so unassuming.Hashtags have proven to be very valuable tools for businesses, with Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts that include hashtags returning twice the engagement rate of those without one. … [Read more...]
Life Guides for Gen Y: Four Easy Steps To DIY Divorce
ost of us have at some stage in our childhood fantasised over our wedding day. Who will I marry? What will they look like? Where will I get married? As a mother of four small children, I often have three little ‘brides’ and one very reluctant ‘groom’ (my 9-year-old son) role playing ‘weddings’ in my lounge room.But what happens when the fantasy is no longer a reality? The … [Read more...]
What You Can Do If You’re Unceremoniously Left Out Of A Will
et’s be honest, there are people in our lives who we expect will provide for us once they kick the bucket. It’s not something most of us will openly admit but it is an assumption most of us make, especially when it comes to our parents. I’m not going to lie, I have thought about it. In fact, I have thought about it many times. Having grown up in a blended family I … [Read more...]
Life Guides for Gen Y: The Fundamentals of DIY Divorce
In previous years, the impact of tech disruption in the global travel and hotel industries has been enormous. Demand for faster, easier and more cost-effective online flight and hotel bookings has given way to holidaymakers cutting out travel agents as the middleman in favour of organising flights, accommodation, and activities themselves.The effect of tech disruption in … [Read more...]
#QuickLaw: Getting Out Of A Parking Fine The Right Way
Parking tickets are the pits.Most of the time you find yourself pinged because you thought you would risk it and park in a "No Stopping" zone while you popped into the shops for 10 minutes. You did it. Admit it.Other times, you may genuinely believe that you have parked legally, only to discover a dry retch-inducing yellow envelope sitting happily atop your windscreen … [Read more...]
Bucket Intell-O-gence: Everything You Need To Know About The Same-Sex Marriage Plebiscite
As the 45th Federal Parliament gets underway, the legalisation of same-sex marriage is one of the issues dominating headlines.It is hard to know how the matter will play out, but there is one option that was first raised by the Abbott government - and that is to hold a plebiscite. This option is being pushed by the Turnbull government, and it has attracted a lot of … [Read more...]
#CensusFail: Are You Legally Required To Provide Your Name On The Census Form?
Senior Law Lecturer from Monash University says that the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) may have no legal power to ask for names and addresses.Dr Caroline Henckels, who teaches Constitutional and Public Law, says that the legislation allows the ABS to collect ‘statistical information,’ without defining what that is.For the first time, the ABS will be retaining … [Read more...]
Bucket Intell-O-gence: Nurofen Gets $1.7m Slapdown For Misleading Consumers
Reckitt Benckiser, the maker of Nurofen, has been fined $1.7 million dollars for breaching consumer laws.Last year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) launched proceedings against the makers of Nurofen in the Federal Court.Sections 18 and 33 of Australian Consumer Law prohibit businesses from:engaging in misleading and deceptive conduct; … [Read more...]
When Can You Rely On Online Legal Documents & Services?
It started with changing the way we shop. Then the digital era revolutionised the way we communicate.Now the internet, technology and innovation are beginning to disrupt the legal industry. With more and more of us venturing online in search of cheaper and faster access to legal services, the legal industry is responding. Both major firms and smaller practices are … [Read more...]
Laws Of The Political Jungle Vol 2 – How Australian Legislation Is Made
In Laws Of The Political Jungle Vol 1, we took you on a Parliamentary Safari that analogised the Marriage Equality Bill as a young zebra navigating the lions of the House of Representatives and crocodiles of the Senate in the context of:the role politicians play in whether a Bill is passed; and what rules govern whether a proposed Bill lives or dies.In Laws Of The … [Read more...]
Laws Of The Political Jungle: The Marriage Equality Bill
To everyday Australians, the inner workings of Parliament House can seem complex and confusing.When it comes to making Australian laws:what role do politicians play in the life cycle of a Bill? what rules govern whether a proposed Bill lives or dies? how are laws actually made?In the first of our Laws Of The Political Jungle series, we provide a … [Read more...]
Why You Break It You Buy It Is The Biggest Urban Myth Of Them All
Many stores around the country display large signs with the words "you break it you buy it."But if you break a store item in Australia, you are not legally required to purchase it.A binding contract only forms when one person makes an offer and another communicates an intention to accept it. When you select a product in a shop and pay for it at the counter you enter a … [Read more...]
Crimes Of Fashion: Fighting Back Against Design Theft
There is also a difference between borrowing and stealing.No one wants to be seen in the same outfit at a party.Equally, designers do not want their original work replicated for the benefit of an individual or company without their knowledge or approval.Design theft has always made up a portion of lost revenue for fashion brands. But a shifting dialogue in … [Read more...]
Welcome to BucketOrange Magazine – Australia’s Top Legal and Lifestyle Hacks Resource
Donald A Schon once said “a new idea either finds a champion or it dies.”Others regard ideas as live entities in a constant state of flux; suspended in unseen networks right above our heads. Every so often one will escape and choose the right person at the right time.What if that idea chose you?Would you choose it back?Or would you let the opportunity move on to … [Read more...]
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