A century of UNIDROIT: Australian lawyers and global private law
William Brydie-Watson is an expert in secured transactions law and private international law, and an Australian Senior Legal Officer at UNIDROIT, which is now officially…
Wills and succession: navigating complex family relationships
When it comes to wills, cutting the ‘black sheep’ of the family from a will may prompt them to make a claim against the estate….
Death benefit dilemmas: trustee discretion and AFCA’s approach to law and fact
Recent cases demonstrating how AFCA re‑weighs evidence, wishes and dependency with less formal fact-finding processes.
Elder law & succession: April 2026
Influential decisions highlighting how flexibility, discretion and restraint define contemporary estates practice.
Elder law & succession: March 2026
Discussion of key principles on relevance for disclosure, rebutting revocation presumptions, identifying testamentary intent, estoppel and family provision relief.
Who gets it now? Navigating disclaimers and judicial advice in estate administration
The rise of conduct‑based disclaimers shows why executors must document communications carefully and why wills require explicit provisions.
Elder law & succession: February 2026
Key rulings highlight elder abuse risks, statutory will complexities, appropriation powers and judicial willingness to impose personal costs or contempt findings.
Succession law’s inheritance: exploring its foundations and future
It’s not just about wills—it’s a centuries-old mix of canon, common law and equity. Understanding its roots reveals its logic and trajectory.
Elder law & succession: December 2025
Doctrine of hotchpot, probate guidance, adult child family provision, family tree diagrams, interpretation of ‘vesting’ and international disclaimers.
Wilfully blind
Trust structures can derail estate plans. This scenario shows why lawyers must check deeds, vesting dates and foreign person clauses before drafting a will.
Elder law & succession: November 2025
Decisions on informal wills, EPoA compliance and forum disputes—offering guidance on intention, donor protection and international estates.