Unfair Dismissal – Definitions, Advice and What to do to Seek Help

Should an employee be dismissed from their employment in a harsh, unreasonable or unjust manger, they can claim it to be an unfair dismissal.

Such an incident can cause great stress, frustration and financial pressure. There is also the potential for the dismissal to affect future career prospects, should it not be addressed with the assistance of an experienced lawyer.

The application process

Assistance and counsel are available in making applications of unfair dismissal, claims for compensation and damages, and Fair Work hearings. Applications to Fair Work must be made within a 21 day period of the dismissal and it is therefore necessary to seek expert legal assistance in a timely manner.

Unfair dismissal is not to be confused with wrongful dismissals, where an employee is terminated without the employer having the legal ability to do so within the context of their contract. Should you find yourself in such a situation, assistance is also available.

It is important to seek assistance from a lawyer in whom you have complete confidence; check to ensure they have experience in the field or specialise in employment law. Employment law is a complicated field as it incorporates various pieces of legislation, the Fair Work Act 2009, enterprise agreements, award agreements and more. Whilst time is of the essence in these cases, there is a process that must be closely adhered to. Often tensions and emotions can be high and as such it is important that these cases are handled with sensitivity and professionalism.

Le Brun Glezakos are Melbourne based unfair dismissal specialists, with locations in the Melbourne CBD, Moonee Ponds, Werribee and Hawthorn who have experience in assisting clients in unfair dismissal claims. It is important at this time to have a proficient, knowledgeable and sympathetic lawyer to understand and represent your interests. Our principal Helen Le Brun and Andrew Sutton both have extensive experience in representing and supporting clients in such difficult times.

Contact us for more information – your initial consultation is cost and obligation free. Call us today on 03 9642 1800 or enquire now.

Three Steps to Selecting A Divorce Lawyer

The process of going through a divorce is difficult and taxing, often taking a very real emotional toll on all parties involved. It is vital that you find a team that works in partnership with you, providing the support, understanding and compassion you need and, where possible, mitigating any further unnecessary harm. It is important to select a divorce lawyer you feel comfortable with, and there are many divorce lawyers to choose from in Melbourne, but when you are selecting one to represent you, there are three important considerations to take into account:

Have a clear goal in mind
Allow yourself to be really candid and open; reflect upon the issues in your relationship and why you have arrived at divorce being the only solution. Consider you aim for both yourself and your family, as well as your lifestyle, living situation and how this will impact the various aspects of your life.

A good lawyer will provide guidance and counsel you on what is to be expected throughout the entire process. It is important that you are provided with clear, digestible advice that makes sense to you. This might mean using plain, understandable English, or where English is not your first language, legal advice can be provided in your language. Le Brun Glezakos has lawyers who are fluent in French, Greek and Mandarin.

Knowledge and experience are key
Is the solicitor and experienced family law practitioner? Don’t be afraid to conduct some background research into their experience in the field and where their specialty lies. Le Brun Glezakos has knowledgeable and experienced lawyers, who are accredited specialists in the field of Family Law by the Law Institute of Victoria.

Be very clear about any fees or services
Be upfront about your budget and ask potential solicitors about their fees. It is important to understand this from the outset and manage expectations early on. Solicitors in Melbourne can be expensive and their fee structures often confusing.

Le Brun Glezakos provides fixed fee quotations and does not charge compound fees should additional staff need to become involved. Furthermore, we offer an initial 30 minute consultation that is free of charge, to assist in understanding and assessing your situation and options and to discover what Le Brun Glezakos can do to help!

Divorce is always a sensitive process, and for this reason it is of utmost importance that you trust and feel comfortable with your lawyer. A well suited lawyer will be open and accommodating of your enquiries and will provide counsel tailored to suit your needs.

Call our friendly team at Le Brun Glezakos Lawyers on (03) 9642 1800. Our offices are located in Melbourne CBD, Hawthorn, Werribee and Moonee Ponds and our expert team will guide you through the entire process with care and compassion.

This Blog has been Taken from : Le Brun Glezakos Lawyers 

Family Law – Topical Issues

Law Firms with Male-Only Clients

Family Law firms targeting male-only clients are emerging in the UK after growing success in the US. Specialising in representing men’s interests in divorce and custody proceedings, these firms predominantly exist to represent men who feel they have been wronged or unfairly represented in Family Court.

Whilst this may appear to simply be catering to a legal niche, the move has been described by some as a dangerous marketing gimmick, promoting distrust in the legal system. Critics are arguing these male-only firms are playing upon the fears and assumptions of men at a stressful time when they are perhaps at their most vulnerable. Some firms advertise about these appeals being positive for the hip pocket – alluding to widespread unfair division of assets in such proceedings.

However lawyers at these male-only firms argue they’re representing their clients to ensure equal opportunity in the achievement of positive outcomes in their clients’ favour.

Legal Aid Underfunding puts Women at Risk 

National Legal Aid (NLA) chair Gabrielle Canny has warned of a crisis in the legal aid sector due to underfunding. Canny revealed the equivalent of only six cents per Australian is allocated to legal aid each day. The Access to Justice Arrangements Report in 2014 by The Productivity Commission recommended a $200 million increase in funding per year, to meet current demands.

Underfunding will mostly impact upon low-income earners and it is believed that half of the Family Law issues requiring legal aid will be for cases of domestic violence. 2015 Australian of the Year barrister Kylie Hillard has spoken of the anxiety and stress faced by those attending the Family Court without access to legal aid. The biggest resulting issue is that some women are then unable to legally fight to protect their children from the perpetrators of domestic violence, and their children may end up in the custody of these perpetrators.

Rob Hulls criticised the federal government in an opinion piece in May for not increasing funding of legal aid and community legal centres. Hulls cited that despite the government’s recognition that domestic violence is a significant issue, the lack of funding means legal assistance out of many victims’ reach.

Revision of Victorian Adoption Laws

The Victorian Government is seeking to review adoption laws to have them better accommodate modern day families.

Kerrie Hancox and George Deka are the biological parents of two children, however Deka is legal guardian of only one as the other child was conceived through his sperm donation. When seeking to rectify this issue on their child’s birth certificate, the couple were informed that Deka would need to apply to legally adopt his daughter, despite being her biological father.

This type of problem and many others highlight the need for a review, which will also investigate the adoption rights of same-sex couples, who under existing legislation can legally foster children, but are not currently allowed the right to adopt.

Given the rights of same-sex couples are being increasingly discussed both in the political and public arena, it is commonly anticipated that changes in family law such as same-sex adoption and marriage equality are on the horizon.

This Blog has been Taken from : Le Brun Glezakos Lawyers