Real Estate Transaction
Buying off the plan
PB Lawyers acted for a client who previously had a lawyer acting for her regarding an “off the plan” conveyancing purchase. The Purchaser approached our firm to take over from her previous lawyer and complete the matter on her behalf moving forward. The client had been feeling disgruntled and dissatisfied with her previous solicitor as she felt as though she wasn’t receiving significant and requested communication regarding her matter. The client was buying a property which was 95% complete, however, the vendor was unnecessarily delaying registration and completion. Our firm took over the file and the client finally was able to see some progress with her matter, and she finally begun receiving communication as to the status of her matter, and she also found out the real reason and cause of the delay. She was also given options as to what she could do to force the vendor in completing. The client finally felt as though she was achieving some progress. “Communication was what I wanted. I was getting no communication from my previous lawyer. What a relief to change solicitors to a solicitor who actually cared about me and my matter. I definitely could see that I wasn’t just another number to Yvonne or Papantoniou Blake Lawyers. Thanks guys”.
Drive Manner Dangerous & Affray
Mount Druitt Local Court
PB Lawyers acted for a client who previously had a different lawyer acting for him in relation to two criminal charges of Driving in a Manner Dangerous and Affray. The offences had occured when the client was suffering from a mental illness and his previous solicitor had made an Application to the Court that it was more appropriate to deal with the client by way of a Community Treatment Order (CTO) addressing his mental health concerns rather than a criminal trial. The Court was not convinced and determined that the client must stand trial and face possible criminal punishment. Our firm took over the matter and could see immediately that this really was a case where the best outcome for the client and the community would be a CTO. If the client stood trial it was possible he wouldn’t get the help he needed. On the day of trial we advised the Court that we were making another Application to have the matter dealt with by way of a CTO. The Magistrate initially refused to hear a second Application but after a vigorous submission finally agreed to hear the Application with a warning that it was “extremely unlikely to be successful”. We made our Application and despite finding that the offences were very serious the Magistrate was persuaded that a CTO was the most appropriate way to deal with the matter. The Police were grateful to see an outcome that ensures community safety and the client was thrilled that he didn’t have to stand trial.
Defended Police Application for Apprehended Violence Order
Blacktown Local Court
PB Lawyers acted for a client who was accused of assaulting their pregnant housemate giving rise to an Application by Police for an AVO against our client for the protection of the housemate. The client was adamant that although he had waved knives around during an argument he didn’t do it in a threatening or menacing way. It was a tough case. We arranged Court Ordered Mediation however the housemate failed to attend. The matter went for hearing. We vigorously cross examined the Police and the housemate and ultimately proved that, although our client waved knives around, it was a dramatic gesture that no reasonable person could possibly interpret as threatening. Our client was not even required to give evidence. The Magistrate found that there were no grounds for the AVO and dismissed the matter.