Surge Legal

19/08/2026

When finance falls through, the deposit can be gone before you know it. A recent NSW case saw a buyer lose a $370,000 deposit on a $3.7M property because their finance wasn’t properly secured before signing. Read the lesson every buyer needs: lock in finance conditions and understand contractual risks. Read more: https://wix.to/ds4YtKC

A failed $3.7 million property purchase, a forfeited $370,000 deposit, and a buyer who couldn't convince the Supreme Court to return it. It's a timely reminder that in NSW, your finance needs to be locked in before you sign, because when a deal collapses, getting your deposit back is far harder than...

12/08/2026

Don’t let hidden strata records cost you tens of thousands. Our latest post explains why disorganised disclosure from owners corporations can leave buyers exposed, and what to look for before you sign. Read more: https://wix.to/EPneden

The levies quoted in the listing are not the whole story. A recent NSW Appeal Panel decision confirms that an owners corporation cannot satisfy its disclosure obligations by handing over a disorganised pile of files — and for buyers, that distinction can be worth tens of thousands of dollars.

05/08/2026

Can your spouse’s family be pulled into property proceedings? In Ruan & Chui (No 3) the Federal Circuit and Family Court set out the test for third-party joinder — and what happens to relatives once they’re brought in. Read a clear breakdown of the decision and what it means for property disputes. https://wix.to/bnspsdT

Your ex says the house belongs to their mother. The money went to their sister's company. Can those relatives be pulled into your property proceedings — and what happens to them once they are? A 2023 Federal Circuit and Family Court decision shows the test for joinder in action.

30/07/2026

New blog: Threatening a Pet Can Be Intimidation — a NSW District Court appeal shows why statements about harming animals can meet the legal test for intimidation. Read the case breakdown, key takeaways and what it means for victims and pet owners. Read more: https://wix.to/2BJ6iwx

He said he'd rather kill the puppy than hand it over — and argued that wasn't a threat. A NSW District Court appeal explains why the law disagreed.

24/07/2026

Who speaks for a party in family court when they can’t give instructions? Our new post explains how litigation guardians work and what recent cases reveal about when no one can step into the role. Read more: https://wix.to/XFlWudd

Court proceedings assume both sides can give instructions to their lawyers. But what if one party can't? Two recent family law decisions show how the litigation guardian system works — and what happens when nobody can step into the role.

22/07/2026

Who gets what when one person has two consecutive de facto relationships and a single pool of assets? Our latest blog breaks down a 2026 Federal Circuit & Family Court decision that untangles consecutive relationships, explains how the court allocates proceeds from a house sale, and how the new family violence property rules affected the outcome. Read more: https://wix.to/SKl3bwx

One man. Two former de facto partners. One pool of money left over from a house sale — and both women claiming a share of it. A 2026 Federal Circuit and Family Court decision shows how the court untangles consecutive relationships in a single hearing, and why the new family violence property rules...

15/07/2026

Police can seize your phone — but can they search it or force you to unlock it? 🧐 Our latest blog from Surge Legal breaks down your rights in NSW, what a seizure really means, when police need a warrant or a Digital Evidence Access Order, and practical steps to protect your data. Read the full guide to stay informed and prepared.

Read more: https://wix.to/1wwMXde

NSW police can seize your phone, but seizing it is not the same as reading it or forcing you to unlock it. Know your rights, passcodes and Digital Evidence Access Orders.

11/07/2026

Your first court date for an ADVO or domestic violence charge just got more important. Under the NSW Local Court's new Practice Note, pleas may be entered (or entered for you), hearing dates locked in, and evidence timetables set — all at that initial mention. Read our short guide to know what to expect and how to prepare: https://wix.to/sLnHQZi

Under the NSW Local Court's new Practice Note, your first court date for an ADVO or domestic violence charge is where pleas are entered — or entered for you — hearing dates locked in, and evidence timetables set. Here's why walking in unprepared is no longer an option.

07/07/2026

New blog: Beyond the Watchlist — Child Travel Protections. Learn how Australian family courts protect children travelling overseas with tools beyond airport watchlists: security bonds, passport controls, notice periods and when the Hague Convention applies. Read the full guide to protect your child and understand options for urgent situations. https://wix.to/sZbP7BY

01/07/2026

New legal analysis: Garnet & Garnet [2025] FedCFamC2F 1356 — when threats, stalking and financial control changed a $3.2M property split. If you’re navigating family law, this case demonstrates how the Court views domestic violence in the context of asset division. Read the key takeaways and what it might mean for your matter: https://wix.to/7JqnYoh

Threats, stalking, and a bank account switched on and off like a tap. This is what the Family Court found to be domestic violence in a case that reshaped a $3.2 million property split — and it could reshape yours too.