It’s a familiar narrative in the legal world: lawyers approach new technology with a level of caution that borders on suspicion. They circle innovation, armed with a long list of questions and a healthy dose of skepticism. But a fascinating pattern emerges time and again. Once convinced of its value, lawyers don’t just adopt technology—they...
It’s a scenario that might seem tempting. A handshake deal was finalised years ago, but the formal paperwork was never completed. A crucial contract was signed and executed, but the original has been lost to time. The urge to simply create a new document and date it in the past—to “fix” the problem quickly—can be...
“You can pretend to be happy if you want to,” Joey Bishop once told a reporter with characteristic bluntness. “I’m a worrier by nature,” he confessed to another. “No worrier is ever good-humored. I don’t know if a worrier ever is happy.” The comedian, known as the “Frown Prince” of Frank Sinatra’s legendary Rat Pack,...
A senior Victorian lawyer’s apology to a Supreme Court Justice has sent a shockwave through the Australian legal community, highlighting the high-stakes reality of using artificial intelligence in practice. In August 2025, Rishi Nathwani KC, a respected King’s Counsel, was forced to take “full responsibility” for filing submissions in a murder case that were riddled...
He was a decorated hero of World War II. Norman William Maddock signed up to fight at 17, served in Tobruk, and was captured during the fierce Battle of Crete before making a daring escape back to Allied lines. In his later years, however, this tenacious soldier faced a different kind of battle—one of failing...
There’s a special kind of gobsmacking irony in the Australian government’s latest brain bubble: slapping a new tax on the very people who are actively trying to do the right thing. Federal MP Tanya Plibersek has called the idea of a new road tax for electric vehicle (EV) drivers “sensible” 1, a sentiment flagged earlier...
Elder Abuse, Legal Capacity and Document Control: A Cautionary Tale for Victoria At Hayton Kosky Lawyers, we’ve recently dealt with a concerning matter that highlights a growing problem in Victoria’s ageing population: elder abuse involving legal documents, including wills and certificates of title. While we must keep the details confidential, the situation involved a 90-year-old...
A Practitioner’s Guide to High-Risk Conveyancing Encounters An Anonymous Perspective from the Legal Trenches Disclaimer: This post reflects the anonymous author’s professional observations and experience. It is intended for educational discussion only. No specific allegations are made against any individual or entity. There comes a moment in many practitioners’ careers when a contract lands on...
