Murdoch Clarke

Personal Injury & Public Liability

Tripped on an unsafe footpath ? Hit by falling debris from a construction site ? Been served a dodgy hot dog ? If you have been injured as a consequence of another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. These claims can sometimes be complex, so you need to receive advice from experienced public liability lawyers. Strict time limits may apply, so contact Murdoch Clarke to learn about your rights to make a claim.

Making A Claim

Once you have told us about your claim we would normally contact the party at fault. Often settlements can be achieved without the necessity for Court proceedings. However, if a settlement cannot be achieved by negotiation then Murdoch Clarke has the team to push your matter through Court to either settlement or hearing.

What You Need To Do

If you are injured you should :

• try and obtain names of witnesses who can assist;
• take photographs of the accident site (such as an uncovered hole, dangerous footpath, etc);
• make a detailed note (a diagram would assist) of what happened.

All of this can prove crucial at a later stage and will help your lawyer progress your claim.

What Can You Claim

If you have been injured you may be able to claim compensation for :

• pain and suffering;
• medical expenses;
• loss of income.

Children & Custody

As a result of media reporting over the last few years there are more popular myths than ever about the law relating to children. Do parents have equal rights to care? Do grandparents have any rights? Can children make their own minds up?

The Federal Government encourages people to participate in counselling and mediation and to sign “parenting plans” but many parents do this without understanding the practical and legal consequences which can be far-reaching and even irreversible. They are not aware that it is not a counsellor’s or mediator’s job to explain the pitfalls.

It is vital to get early family law advice not only about the law concerning children but also about the legal effect of care arrangements.

De Facto Relationships

These days the parenting and property settlement aspects of de facto relationships are dealt with by the Family Courts under the Family Law Act. However there are important differences in property law between de facto and marriage relationships.

Child Support

Child support is a minefield but it is also closely linked to parenting arrangements, property settlement and spouse maintenance. A specialist family lawyer will explain the connections and so the traps.

Criminal

Being charged with a criminal offence can be a stressful and worrying experience, whether it be a drink driving matter or something more serious. If you are in Court, you need a competent advocate to ensure that your rights are protected. Murdoch Clarke has a long history of ensuring that everyone’s rights are protected and a just result is achieved. Contact us for any Court matter.

If You Are Charged

If you are charged you should :

• seek advice from a lawyer as soon as possible;
• obtain your lawyer’s advice before undertaking a Police interview;
• make sure you have the details of any witnesses who might assist your case.

Going To Court

Murdoch Clarke can represent you on anything from a parking fine through to murder. We have experienced criminal lawyers who have conducted numerous trials in both the Supreme Court and Magistrates Court.

If you have to go to Court there are usually a number of preliminary appearances before your matter is set down for trial. It is important to be represented from as early as possible to protect your interests.

Termination of Employment

We can assist you in bringing or defending Unfair Dismissal and Unlawful Termination actions and also provide you with advice in relation to the general protection provisions under the Fair Work Act 2009 and other relevant provisions under associated pieces of legislation and areas of law.

Commercial risk in many employment and industrial relations matters can be minimised by adopting a proactive approach from the outset, and through the implementation of policies and procedures which comply with the relevant legislative requirements. We can assist you in relation to the creation and implementation of such policies and procedures, and as to the correct process to follow when faced with a potential issue.

We regularly appear on behalf of clients in matters before the Federal Court, Fair Work Australia, Fair Work Ombudsman, Tasmanian Industrial Commission and various other courts and tribunals.

We understand that matters concerning the termination of employment can often be emotionally and commercially sensitive and we strive to provide independent but supportive representation to assist clients in traversing what can be a very difficult time in their lives. We recognise the benefits of achieving mediated outcomes wherever possible.

Buying & Selling Commercial Property

At Murdoch Clarke we understand that commercial property transactions are fundamental to the business community. We have respected and extensive experience and expertise in relation to commercial property transactions. With the benefit of expertise and experience we can provide you with prompt, pragmatic, clear and cost-effective advice. Whether you are sourcing a commercial property for your own business or for an investment, we are available to assist with all commercial property transactions.

Our services include:

• preparing and advising in relation to commercial real estate contracts
• preparing documents for sale by tender
• preparing particulars and conditions of sale by auction
• due diligence searches and enquiries regarding commercial property
• commercial property conveyancing (sales and purchases)
• industrial property conveyancing (sales and purchases)
• rural, farm and forestry property conveyancing (sales and purchases)
• financing - Murdoch Clarke Mortgage Fund
• intergenerational land transfers
• title storage facilities

Business Purchases and Sales

The right advice at the right time is essential when buying or selling a business.  At Murdoch Clarke our experienced commercial law team understands this.

We will communicate to you in a clear and easy to understand manner and draft our documents in “plain English” so that they accurately reflect your requirements.  We will provide you with the advice you need regardless of the nature or complexity of your business sale or purchase transaction.

Our expert commercial law team will be able to assist you when it comes to buying or selling your business interests.  Our commercial law experience and expertise allows us to clearly identify to you the pitfalls of these types of transactions.  We can then work with you to find solutions so that the transactions achieve the outcomes you desire.

At Murdoch Clarke we understand the importance of timely advice in business transactions.  We know that the right advice at the right time will help you achieve the results that you need with your business transactions.

Our services include:

• leasehold and freehold business transactions;
• mergers and acquisitions;
• due diligence work; and
• joint ventures and partnerships.