CDG Law

11/02/2021

In case you need a good laugh: Texas lawyer had to explain to Judge "I'm not a cat"

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/video/2021/feb/09/lawyer-appears-with-kitten-filter-in-zoom-court-video?fbclid=IwAR0FvlIJ2VfkDk1_tCv1EYHGgGFuPKbsGFvxEiWJY8Hakg8UgcKbPo7HOXQ

A lawyer showed up to virtual court in the 394th district of Texas with a kitten filter turned on

06/01/2021

We are back! Thank you for giving us an opportunity to relax and spend time with family and friends after the year that was. We look forward to assisting you in 2021.

23/12/2020

Happy Holidays. CDG Law wishes you and your family all the best for the festive season. See you in the New Year

03/12/2020

Do you have a swimming pool or spa? Is it compliant? Children under 5 are the age group most at risk of drowning and swimming pools are known to account for a large proportion of drowning deaths. For our clients, we rely on Tony Hughes from Independent Property Inspections (IPI) East Coast to carry out pool safety inspections and provide a safety compliance certificate for the purpose of selling, buying, or leasing a property, or just for peace of mind. If you are thinking of selling or buying, refer to this checklist to see if your pool is compliant:

Swimming pool owners must register their swimming pool or spa pool on the NSW Swimming Pool Register in Newcastle.

14/08/2020

Revenue NSW has now released the HomeBuilder Grant application form and lodgement guide which could see eligible applicants receive $25,000.

The HomeBuilder Grant of $25,000 is available to eligible owner-occupiers who build a new home, substantially renovate an existing home or buy off the plan.

Contracts must be entered into between 4 June 2020 and 31 December 2020 and construction must commence within 3 months of the contract. Additionally, for off the plan, construction must not have commenced prior to 4 June 2020.

Applicants must be below one of the two income caps - for individuals $125,000 and for couples $200,000 based on your 18/19 or 19/20 tax return.

Call our office to find out if you meet the eligibility criteria.

07/08/2020

Watch this space! New and improved website coming soon

New Website Coming Soon [email protected] (02) 6572 2911

29/07/2020

More great news for first home buyers!

Between 1 August 2020 and 31 July 2021, the threshold for stamp duty (now known as ‘transfer duty’) is being increased for first home buyers.

First home buyers can now receive a full exemption from transfer duty on the purchase of:
- New Homes valued up to $800,000 (previously
$650,000); and
- Vacant Land valued up to $400,000 (previously
$350,000).

First home buyers can otherwise receive a concession on transfer duty on the purchase of:
- New Homes valued between $800,000 and $1,000,000;
- Vacant Land valued between $400,000 and $500,000.

To find out more about exemptions and concessions you may be entitled to, please call one of our friendly conveyancers at our Newcastle office on 02 4911 7634 or our Singleton office on 02 6572 2911

23/07/2020

We share our Newcastle workspace with the Plastic Police who are behind incredible initiatives in the community to rethink, recycle and reduce soft plastics. Congratulations to the Plastic Police on their sponsorship!

Exciting news! Port of Newcastle has announced Plastic Police as a recipient for its 2020 Community Sponsorship Program.

The funding will enable us to develop waste education videos to significantly increase the reach of Plastic Police®’s education program. The videos will educate about the problems with plastic in the environment and the solutions, with the goal of engaging communities and organisations to rethink, recycle and ultimately reduce the use of soft plastics.

We are thrilled to partner with the Port to inspire community engagement and environmental stewardship of the local area. We look forward to working with OOTS - Out of the Square Media to deliver the project.

14/05/2020

From Friday, 15 May 2020, some restrictions will ease in NSW including:

- outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people
- cafes and restaurants can seat 10 patrons at any one time and continue to provide takeaway services
- up to 5 visitors may visit another household at any one time
- weddings can have up to 10 guests plus the celebrant and couple
- indoor funerals can have up to 20 mourners and outdoor funerals up to 30
- religious gatherings and places of worship can have up to 10 worshippers
- outdoor playground and exercise equipment can be used with caution
- outdoor pools will be open with restrictions.

It is important to note that NSW has not adopted all of the changes proposed under Step 1 of the Commonwealth Government’s framework, for example, local and regional travel is currently not allowed without a 'reasonable excuse'.

For more information on what you can and can’t do, here is a helpful page:

FAQs about what rules will be changing in NSW from Friday 15 May.

12/05/2020

Property inspections and on-site auctions can recommence as of this weekend with COVID-19 restrictions eased, but with social distancing and safety measures still an ongoing priority. If you are looking to buy a property or attending an auction this weekend, feel free to make contact with one of our friendly conveyancers in our Newcastle office on (02) 4911 7634 or our Singleton office on (02) 6572 2911

The NSW property market will roll out the welcome mat from next weekend with agents and vendors able to hold traditional property inspections and on-site auctions after a six-week limited shutdown due to COVID-19.

02/04/2020

As of 31 March 2020, you can no longer leave your place of residence without a ‘reasonable excuse.’

By the Order of Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020, ‘reasonable excuse’ is defined as:

- Obtaining food for personal needs;
- Travelling for work;
- Travelling for daycare, school or other educational institutions;
- Exercising;
- Obtaining medical care or supplies;
- Attending a wedding of no more than 5 people;
- Attending a funeral of no more than 10 people;
- Moving to a new place of residence;
- Donating blood;
- Undertaking legal obligations;
- Accessing social services;
- For children who do not live in the same household as their parents or siblings, continuing existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children or siblings;
- Avoiding injury or illness or to escape risk of harm;
- For emergencies or compassionate reasons.

It is a criminal offence to breach the Orders and attracts heavy penalties.

For an individual, the maximum penalty is $11,000, or 6 months imprisonment, or both. The NSW Police may also issue on-the-spot fines of $1,000.

For a corporation, the maximum penalty is $55,000 and a further $27,000 for every day the offence continues.

27/03/2020

As we work as a community to navigate the changing circumstances of COVID-19, we are as much as possible working remotely.

We want to assure you that we will continue to provide you with our services and you can contact us by the usual email addresses for our solicitors, conveyancing and support staff (or at all times to [email protected]) or by phone as follows:

Newcastle office phone: (02) 4911 7634
Singleton office phone: (02) 6572 2911

These measures will continue until further notice and we will update you of any changes as they occur.

Thank you for your ongoing understanding and patience as we continue to support you and our local community.