18 February

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What is a QP9?

By Erin Mitchell What is a QP9, where do I get it from and what do I do if it contains incorrect information? What is a QP9? A QP9 (also known as a Court Brief) is a document prepared by the Queensland Police Prosecutions when a person is charged with an offence. It outlines the exact charge/s against you and a summary of the alleged facts of the offence. It is also usually accompanied by a copy of your criminal and/or traffic history. It can contain other important information such as a summary of what other evidence might exist (eg. CCTV footage);...

12 February

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Enhanced Enforcement & Deterrence Regulations for Queensland Engineers

Posted by Jason Papoutsis

in Uncategorised

The New Regulatory Regime Comes Into Effect on 1 March 2021 The Board of Professional Engineers Queensland (BPEQ) has been protecting the public and setting the standards for engineers in Queensland for almost a century. But soon, the BPEQ will have enhanced investigative and enforcement powers, bringing it up to speed with many other regulatory bodies in Queensland and Australia. It is anticipated that the strengthening of the regulatory regime will lead to audits, investigations, and possibly also disciplinary action and criminal charges against engineers and the firms who employ them. Who is affected by the changes? Approximately 16,000 engineers registered in Queensland will be...

02 February

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From Collaboration to Conflict: When Business Disputes Arise

Posted by Jason Papoutsis

in Litigation, Uncategorised

By Jason Papoutsis What Happens When Your Joint Venture, Business Partnership, or Informal Collaboration With Another Business Turns Sour? An increasing amount of businesses across the world, and here in Queensland, are collaborating with other businesses. These types of collaborative relationships are very common these days, whether it’s GoPro & Redbull, a social media influencer who has entered into an agreement to promote a business and attend events, or your local coffee shop teaming up with a surf shop down the street. This recent trend should come as no surprise, as there are many benefits to businesses collaborating. Some of these benefits include: Collaborative relationships...

02 February

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Allegations of Criminal Wrongdoing in Civil Disputes – What You Need to Know

Posted by Jason Papoutsis

in Uncategorised

By Jason Papoutsis - Litigation Lawyer Individuals who are alleging (or have been accused of) criminal wrongdoing in a civil dispute should think twice about settling those disputes themselves without the assistance of lawyers. Some examples of civil disputes where criminal conduct is also alleged include: Claims for the recovery of debts or liquidated demands of money; Claims for unpaid wages or unfair dismissal, and other employment disputes; Claims arising out of contract between a consumer and trader, or two traders; Claims for damage to property; Claims in defects for goods, including motor vehicles; Claims for damages as a result of a...

23 December

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Family Violence and Australian Partner Visas

Posted by Tom Foran

in Uncategorised

1000 Partner visa application approvals each week and a very common problem. According to statistics published by the Department of Home Affairs, in the 2019 to 2020 financial year, 52,479 Australian Partner visa applications were lodged. That is about 1000 applications each week. 96,361 applications were in the pipeline at the end of June 2020, awaiting processing. An article in the Medical Journal of Australia[1] explains that it is difficult to specify the incidence rate of family violence. The incidence rates depends upon the definition used; and whether the data comes from community crime victim surveys, community samples, or prevalence studies in...

16 December

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High Court orders a re-trial for a man who violently stabbed and bludgeoned his wife to death in front of their children – Bill Potts comments

Posted by Bill Potts

in General Law News, Uncategorised

A man who had been sentenced to life in jail for stabbing and bludgeoning his wife to death in 2016 has been granted a re-trial by the majority of the High Court. The High Court found that the trial judge wrongly instructed the Jury about how they (the jury) could consider the defence of provocation and if it applied in this case. Background Section 304 of the Criminal Code (Qld), a person is only guilty of manslaughter (and not murder) if that person unlawfully kills another (a)in the heat of passion, (b)caused by sudden provocation, and (c)before there is time for the person’s passion...

14 October

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Potts Lawyers Awarded Leading Criminal Law Firm

Posted by Potts Lawyers

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Potts Lawyers Awarded as a Leading Criminal Law Firm by Doyle’s Guide 2020 Managing director Rob Franklin is pleased to announce that Potts Lawyers has again been recognised by the prestigious Doyle’s Guide as a “first tier” leading criminal law firm in Queensland. Director Bill Potts has been named as a leading criminal lawyer whilst director Cameron Browne, Mark Williams and Erin Mitchell have been named as a recommended criminal lawyers. Andrew Hanlon has been announced the criminal law rising star and the firm has also been recognised as the Leading Traffic & DUI defence lawyers in Queensland. It is heartening to see that amongst the...

14 October

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What’s different about Potts Lawyers?

Posted by Bill Potts

in Firm news, Uncategorised

What's it mean to be a Good Criminal Lawyer? https://youtu.be/Lpb9O9WDXC8 Firstly, it's important for our clients to know that we are their lawyers. We're not the judge, we're not the jury. So we are not going to be judging a person who is in those sorts of difficulties often in a society that doesn't understand what they're doing or why they're doing it doesn't understand how they got to be in that dark place, and need to understand that there is a way out of it. And often, that means giving some form of psychiatric or psychological assistance for sometimes it means explaining to...

01 September

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Blue card “No Card, No Start”: New Changes To the Blue Card System

Posted by Jason Papoutsis

in Litigation, Uncategorised

Blue Card “No Card, No Start” in Queensland On 31 August 2020, changes were made to the Blue Card system which all Blue Card applicants and Blue Card holders should be aware of. The “No Card, No Start” law The Blue Card system now states that applicants will be unable to work or volunteer in a position which requires a blue card until their application is approved. Previously, applicants were permitted to begin work which requires a Blue Card whilst their application was being processed. New Rules for Blue Card Expiring The new rules also state that if you do not renew your blue card...

22 July

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Bill Potts responds to news that Dreamworld is facing criminal charges arising from tragic accident

Posted by Potts Lawyers

in Uncategorised

Dreamworld can 'come back' from deadly disaster, PR expert says A public relations expert believes Dreamworld can make a comeback after a disastrous few years – but it won't be easy. Dreamworld's parent company faces a massive fine of $4.5 million after it was charged multiple times over the 2016 Thunder River Rapids tragedy which claimed four lives in Queensland. Ardent Leisure today confirmed it had been hit with three charges following an assessment by an independent prosecutor from Workplace Health and Safety, according to a statement given to the ASX. The three Category 2 charges, filed today in the Brisbane Magistrates Court, were...

What is a QP9?

Enhanced Enforcement & Deterrence Regulations for Queensland Engineers

From Collaboration to Conflict: When Business Disputes Arise

Allegations of Criminal Wrongdoing in Civil Disputes – What You Need to Know

Family Violence and Australian Partner Visas

High Court orders a re-trial for a man who violently stabbed and bludgeoned his wife to death in front of their children – Bill Potts comments

Potts Lawyers Awarded Leading Criminal Law Firm

What’s different about Potts Lawyers?

Blue card “No Card, No Start”: New Changes To the Blue Card System

Bill Potts responds to news that Dreamworld is facing criminal charges arising from tragic accident

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