With the introduction of the Seller Disclosure Scheme and amendments in the Property Law Act 2023 fast approaching their commencement date, it’s now more important than ever to ensure you’re across the latest updates impacting your property transactions. Delve into critical issues often overlooked in conveyancing transactions. Gain practical insights into securing FIRB approvals, managing body corporate debts, and mitigating disputes over boundary and survey issues. Enhance your professional skillset with best practice tips to handle encroachments and contract variations effectively, ensuring smoother property transactions.

Presenters

Angela Hellewell, Barrister, Inns of Court
Angela has a broad public, regulatory and commercial litigation practice. She advises and appears in a range of planning, environmental, construction, human rights, mining, family, property and land-related matters.  Her experience has included appearances in courts and tribunals in both state and federal jurisdictions, as well as appearing as Counsel Assisting in an inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act. Angela has developed a significant practice in mining, energy and resources, and environmental law. She regularly appears in cases before the Land Court of Queensland and the Planning and Environment Court for mining proponents, statutory parties, and landholders. Angela has acted (led and unled) in resource compensation disputes, land access disputes and mining objections proceedings. She has experience in objections proceedings before the Land Court including appearing in the New Acland and Waratah Coal objection proceedings. She is a nationally accredited mediator, family dispute resolution practitioner (FDPR) and has been appointed to the Land Court ADR Panel as a Panel Mediator. Angela was admitted as a solicitor in 2007, and prior to being called to the Bar in 2017 was an in-house corporate lawyer for an energy company advising on regulatory approval, land access, environment and property. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Business (Accounting).


Warren Denny, Partner, Piper Alderman
Warren is the National Head of Real Estate at Piper Alderman. He has over 30 years’ experience acting for clients on a wide variety of real estate transactions and leads a large team of lawyers in the Brisbane office. Warren is a transaction lawyer highly skilled in the preparation and negotiation of all common real estate transactions, including leasing, acquisition and sales. Warren's capability extends to more complex transactions such as development and fund through agreements, put and call options, large commercial property transactions, strata title residential, commercial and mixed use developments, receiver and mortgagee sales, joint venture agreements, title structures, staged developments and real estate dispute resolution. Warren acts for clients across all sectors of real estate, including property development, real estate investment trusts, funds management, air and sea ports, large format retail centres, commercial office, business parks and community title. Warren also has experience in the sale and purchase of business assets subject to leases, predominately in the health industries such as medical and dental. Warren is a Queensland Law Society accredited specialist in Property Law and has been recognised by The Best Lawyers in Australia in the field of Real Property Law from 2015 to 2020.


Peter Nugent, Partner, Piper Alderman
Peter has over 30 years’ experience with property development and is a recognised expert on structuring property developments involving mixed uses, shared facilities and multiple stages. Peter has acted for some of Australia’s leading developers, as well as banks, managers, and bodies corporate. Peter has been listed in the 2018 to 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia for Real Property Law. He is also recognised in the 2017 to 2021 edition of Doyles Guide as a recommended lawyer in Property & Real Estate Law for Queensland.


Alistair Byrom, Senior Consulting Surveyor, Land Solution Australia Pty Ltd
Alistair commenced his tertiary education in surveying in 1985, culminating in obtaining a Graduate Diploma in Surveying. Alistair gained his Cadastral Endorsement from the Surveyors Board of Qld in 1991 and his Consulting Endorsement in 2007. During his time in the profession he has worked on numerous projects in SE Qld and Far North Qld where he work for few years in the late 90’s. Prior to joining Veris, Alistair was Managing Director of a well-respected Brisbane based firm Goodwin Midson. Which merged with other survey firms around the country to form Veris, in late 2016. Alistair was Qld Property manager until late 2023. Alistair’s affinity with land law, as it relates to surveying, has led him into forensic consulting. He has prepared numerous Expert Reports for the Supreme Court, Land Court and the Planning & Environment Court. The subject of these reports have been: Administrative boundaries, Boundary disputes, Building Heights, Constraint Mapping for highest & best use, Easement rights, responsibilities & restrictions, Flood levels, Land valuations, Mining tenure, Professional indemnity claims, Resumptions under the Acquisition of Land Act & Volume Calculations. During Alistair’s professional career he has volunteered his time to the profession and has played an active role on many advisory committees, been the local Chairman for SIBA and is currently national Deputy Chairman for the Geospatial Council of Australia. His contribution to industry has been recognised with him being awarded 2010 Qld Spatial Professional of the Year, 2015 SIBA Chair Award for Service to Industry and in 2016 being awarded a Fellow of SSSI.


Kathleen Ready, Director, RHR Legal
Kathleen Ready is the managing director of RHR Legal, a boutique firm that specialises in Property, Planning, Commercial Litigation, Family, Wealth protection, Estate Planning and Commercial Law and Family Law. Kathleen has extensive experience in all aspects of commercial, industrial, residential, retail property and planning law. As a highly skilled professional her experience extends to the following areas: acquisition and disposal of high rise commercial, retail and medical buildings, industrial property, multi-use development sites, high value islands off the Queensland coast, large and small retail shopping centres, property financing arrangements, and all associated documentation. She has a keen interest and knowledge in all aspects of Property which extends to consulting and negotiating with local councils in obtaining development approval; advising on allegations of contravention of the Environmental Protection Act; advising and acting for applicants and respondents in the Planning and Environment Court; and advising and acting for applicants seeking compensation under the Acquisition of Land Act in the Land Court. While practicing mainly in Queensland, Kathleen has a multi-jurisdictional practice that includes New South Wales and Victoria.


Duncan Bedford, Partner, McCullough Robertson Lawyers
Duncan is an expert in business and transaction structuring, taxation and foreign investment with a solid foundation in general commercial law which ensures his advice and solutions deliver value to clients. He designs and implements effective structures for transactions and asset ownership, always seeking to secure his clients cost-effective tax and stamp duty outcomes. This includes advising on stamp duty exemptions, assessments, private rulings and objections. Additionally he advises on corporate reconstructions, demergers, holding company interpositions and rollovers and general commercial matters. Duncan is also recognised for his expertise in managing matters before the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). He focuses on identifying and managing restrictions on foreign investment and advising on appropriate structures and processes for foreign companies, governments and individuals proposing to invest in Australia. Duncan has provided advice to clients across a range of industries and leads our Food and Agribusiness team.


Simon LaBlack, Legal Practitioner Director, LaBlack Lawyers Pty Ltd
Simon practises exclusively in Property Law in Queensland. In 2017, he became one of now 25 Accredited Specialists in Queensland Property Law. Simon assists organisations and private clients in all property law related matters including property acquisitions and disposals, commercial property matters including leases, developments, transactions and disputes, subdivisions and compulsory acquisition matters. Simon is a member of the Queensland Law Society Property Law Specialist Accreditation Advisory Committee, he is a member of the PEXA Member Advisory Council, he acts as a Court-Appointed Statutory Trustee for Sale and as a specialist consultant to the profession and he is a contributing author for LexisNexis in their practical guidance materials.


Jason Carlson, Partner, Chambers Russell Lawyers
Jason Carlson is a Partner at Chambers Russell Lawyers and an industry expert in strata and community titles law. He was a director of Strata Community Association (Qld) from 2016 – 2022 and a director of Strata Community Association Australasia from 2022 – 2024. In 2022 he received the SCA (Qld) President’s Award in recognition of his significant contributions to, and leadership within, Queensland’s strata sector. Jason has practiced exclusively in strata law since 2009 at industry leading strata law firms. His focus has been on dispute resolution, strategic advisory work and management rights disputes. He has led bodies corporate through some of the most significant pieces of strata litigation in Queensland over the last 15 years. Jason has also served on the Legislation Committee of SCA (Qld) since 2013 and was its advocacy director from 2020 – 2022, playing a significant role in shaping, reviewing and advising on legislative changes to Queensland’s strata legislation. Jason holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts (majors: Philosophy and Psychology) from Griffith University. He is a regular presenter at strata conferences and a prolific contributor to strata education platforms.


Roland Taylor, Director, Statewide Conveyancing
Roland was admitted as a solicitor in 1993. He was made a partner of Mckays Solicitors in 2003. He has been in charge of Statewide Conveyancing, the conveyancing division of Mckays Solicitors since 2000. Statewide incorporated in 2011 and Roland was the managing director until January 2024 when he sold out of the business. Roland has since completed a masters of applied law. Roland is currently a lecturer at the College of Law. Roland has presented at over 50 Legal seminars since 2004. He is also the author of the legal textbook "Agent's Handbook".


Sammuel Dobbie-Smitham, Senior Associate McCullough Robertson Lawyers
Sammuel is a Senior Associate at McCullough Robertson with 7 years’ experience in taxation law. Sammuel specialises in indirect taxes, primarily including stamp duty, GST, land tax and payroll tax. This specialisation is supported by a strong general tax knowledge base. Sammuel also holds expertise in FIRB laws, regulations and policies, and has experience in preparing FIRB applications and communicating with FIRB. Sammuel’s practice has provided exposure to a broad range of transactions, businesses and corporate structures. Sammuel has worked closely with clients in key industries, including property development and management, finance, insurance, mining and resources, defence, and retail.