Cut through to the conveyancing issues you need to know and focus not only on the disputes that arise but importantly on avoiding the risks. Gain confidence on costly stamp duty traps, FIRB compliance issues and planning surprises. Understand the major changes to strata legislation, land use planning and the Home Building Act.  It’s more important than ever to be properly equipped and avoid the risks.

Presenters

Judy Bliss, Principal Licensed Conveyancer, Bliss Conveyancing
Judy Bliss has been in the industry since 1984. She started Bliss Conveyancing when she saw the need for a conveyancing service that spoke plain English, not legal jargon. Her mission is to help people buy property with peace of mind for the future. Her professional experience is extensive, beginning in 1984 as Personal Assistant to the Chief Magistrate of NSW, then clerking at the Nowra Local Court and the Milton Local Court. She has been a Coroner, Registrar and Marriage Celebrant. Over 10 years ago, she earned her conveyancing license and entered legal private practice so that she could use her extensive legal experience to help people buy property. Judy is a current NSW State Representative in the Pexa Advisory Board.


Sydney Jacobs, Barrister, 13 Wentworth Chambers
Sydney Jacobs is a barrister at 13 Wentworth Chambers and an accredited mediator, with additional credentials as a BarADR-accredited arbitrator and expert determiner. An LL.M graduate from Cambridge, Sydney’s commercial equity practice spans property, partnership, corporate law, building and construction, and strata disputes. He brings particular expertise in easement and covenant disputes, including matters involving both Torrens and Old System land. Sydney also has extensive experience in leasing disputes, off-the-plan contracts, rescission, termination, specific performance, relief against forfeiture, and the recovery of deposits. Sydney advises on restraint of trade matters, as well as disputes involving options, rights of first refusal, and notices to perform or complete. Beyond his practice, Sydney is the sole author of two leading publications—Commercial Damages and Injunctions: Law and Practice—and was a key contributor to Commercial & International Arbitration (Thomson Reuters). Outside of work, Sydney enjoys time with family, competing in tennis, snowboarding, and exploring the arts.


Vikram N Misra, Barrister, Clarence Chambers
Vikram Misra was admitted as a solicitor in 2012 and called to the NSW Bar in 2015. He maintains a broad commercial practice and is regularly briefed in matters relating to taxation law, property law, construction law and equity. Vikram has completed a Graduate Diploma in Taxation Law at the University of Sydney in 2015 and a Master of Laws majoring in construction law and contract law at the University of Melbourne in 2016. Vikram is also a contributing author to the Domestic Arbitration, International Arbitration, Security of Payment (NSW) and Security of Payment (SA) sections of the looseleaf “Commercial Arbitration Law and Practice Service” for Thomson Reuters. Vikram is currently a casual academic at Western Sydney University in the subject "Building Law".


Alistair Knox, Partner, Pikes and Verekers Lawyers
Alistair is part of the local government and planning law team at Pikes and Verekers, acting for both private and public clients. Alistair worked at the Land and Environment Court during his legal studies. During this time, Alistair worked in various roles through the registry as well as doing work for various Judges and Commissioners of the Court. This role required Alistair to be familiar with all classes of the Court’s jurisdiction. Through his studies, Alistair also gained valuable experience working in other areas of the law including regional practice (family, conveyancing, personal injury), legal aid (criminal) and work as a tipstaff at the Industrial Relations Commission.


Dominic Maley, Partner, Maclarens Lawyers
Dominic Maley was made a partner of Maclarens Lawyers in 2015. He is a Casual Academic at WSU, where since 2017 he has been the sole lecturer in Professional Practice and Building Law, and more recently he has taken up positions at the university teaching Building Law (under grad), Construction Law (post grad) (Course Coordinator), and the Expert Evidence modules of Construction Claims. He is also a Casual Academic at UTS, where he is the Course Coordinator in Property Transactions, as well as two new upcoming subjects: (i) Contractual Documentation, and (ii) Construction Law. Dominic has built up a large practice in option contracts, conveyancing, easements, retail and commercial leasing, and property law related litigation.


Gary Newton, Partner, HWL Ebsworth Lawyers
Gary Newton is a partner in the Property and Development Group of HWL Ebsworth Lawyers. He has been practising in the area of property law since 1983, providing advice on a wide range of matters to business, government and individuals. Gary has been an Accredited Specialist in Property Law since 1994. Gary is a long standing member of the Property Law Committee of the Law Society of NSW. Gary is the co-author of "Land Acquisition" 7th edition by Gary Newton and Christopher Conolly and "Real Property Law Case Summaries" Newton’s 4th edition and the sole author and editor of the LexisNexis Butterworths NSW Conveyancing Service (loose-leaf). He is also sole author and editor of the book ‘Annotated Conveyancing & Real Property Legislation in NSW’ 2024-2025. Gary has been listed again in the 2024 and 2025 edition of Best Lawyers and Doyles Guide for Leasing Law and for Real Property Law.


Eva Vicic, Partner, McCullough Robertson
Eva Vicic is a real estate lawyer specialising in property sales and acquisitions, vendor and purchaser legal due diligence and leasing transactions in respect of large-scale agricultural land holdings and renewable energy projects. Eva has accumulated a wealth of experience within the renewable energy sector, giving her a comprehensive understanding of the project lifecycle and the importance of identifying key issues early to future-proof success. With this foresight, Eva is able to provide her clients with holistic, commercially pragmatic advice that address both client business objectives and legal obligations.


Cameron Steele, Partner, Dentons
Cameron is a partner at Dentons Australia, where he leads the taxation group in Sydney. He has over 25 years’ experience as a tax law specialist. Cameron has a particular focus on the taxation of property-related transactions, including GST, capital gains tax and on the stamp duty across all Australian jurisdictions. His experience includes investment structures for major commercial and residential property developments.


Sian Jones, Special Counsel, Colin Biggers & Paisley
A special counsel in the property and development team since 2017, Sian has extensive experience in commercial litigation, primarily in the area of property litigation, disputes and advisory. As an experienced litigator, Sian has been involved in resolving disputes using alternative dispute resolution procedures. Sian acts for property developers and throughout her career has acted for a variety of clients, including insolvency practitioners, directors, and authorised representatives, on litigated matters in the areas of contracts, easement disputes, caveat disputes, option disputes, trade practices, shareholder disputes, corporate and commercial, and professional negligence Sian has been a committee member for the Urban Development Institute of Australia Seniors Living and Alternative Housing since 2021. In addition to her Bachelor of Laws, Sian holds a Master of Law and Legal Practice from the University of Technology Sydney. Sian was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in April 2006, the Federal Court and High Court of Australia.


Allison Benson, Principal, Kerin Benson Lawyers
Allison is a strata & community titles lawyer who has provided general advice, acted in disputes, including building defect disputes, and worked with clients in preparing and enforcing by-laws and strata management statements since 2008. From 2012, Allison has acted exclusively on behalf of owners corporations, associations and lot owners in respect of providing advice and acting in strata and community association disputes and also in respect of building and construction disputes.