South Australian School Teacher Jailed
Former South Australian School Teacher Jailed for Abusing Students Stephen John Hamra, a former primary school teacher at St Ignatius College and Christian Brothers College in South Australia has been found guilty of persistent sexual exploitation of a child and maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child between 1977 and 1982. He was sentenced by Adelaide District Court Judge Paul Rice on the 4 April...
Pseudonyms in Historic Child Sexual Abuse
The Use of Suppression Orders and Pseudonyms in Historic Child Sexual Abuse Cases A common barrier to seeking compensation for people who have suffered sexual abuse as a child in institutional settings is a sense of fear. Additionally embarrassment or shame occur at the prospect of being identified as a victim/survivor of child sexual abuse. The decision to seek redress for historic child sexual abuse...
Equestrian Safety – Generational Change Needed
Please see original article published in The Australian newspaper on 15 April 2019 here: https://koffels.com.au/official-warned-riders-risk-more-falls/ Generational Change Needed to Bring Equestrian Safety into 21st Century Koffels Solicitors & Barristers view with interest and applaud the article in The Australian on the 15 April 2019 regarding safety protocol at Equestrian Events, and specifically in Eventing. We have long held the view that the standards within equestrian sports...
Paedophilia in Private Schools
To read the original article published in The SMH and written by Peter FitzSimons, please click here. Is paedophilia more prevalent in private schools? Recently a number of our clients spoke to Peter FitzSimons about the abuse they say they suffered at the hands of Knox teachers. As a matter of fact paedophilia in private religious schools has been an ongoing issue for some time. Correspondingly...
Knox Grammar Sued for Child Sexual Abuse
To read the original article published in The Australian newspaper and written by Olivia Caisley, please click here. Knox Faces Payout Claim Our client, Phillip Ashworth, spoke to The Australian about what he asserts happened to him as a student at Knox Grammar. Phillip’s statement of claim alleges: "Nisbett used his position of authority to groom Mr Ashworth by regularly spending “private time” with him when he was...
Institutions Blocking Legal Advice
Institutions are Actively Trying to Keep Claimants from Instructing Koffels, and we couldn't be more flattered. Koffels Solicitors & Barristers are achieving the highest and most consistent level of payouts in Australia, and needless to say the institutions are not happy with us. How do we do it?... Koffels have taken a totally different approach when it comes to taking action against an institution for Childhood...
Mosman Swim Teacher – Child Sexual Abuse
Mosman Swim Teacher - Alleged Child Sex Abuse The Sydney swim instructor Kyle James Henk Daniels, twenty (20) years old, has now had an additional twenty-eight (28) charges of sexual abuse laid against him in court. This has been a result of sexual abuse allegations made by students at the Mosman Swim Centre located on Vista Street in the prestigious suburb of Mosman in Sydney. The casual swimming instructor who...
Buying a Horse
What you need to be aware of when buying a horse Contract (applicable to all sales) A contract is entered into between a seller and buyer when an offer is made by one party and accepted by the other. An advertisement (an invitation to treat) is not necessarily an offer and any sale should be confirmed in writing. While a contract can be written and/or oral it...
Golden Slipper – Business of Racing Lunch
Ross & Julia Koffel get as close to the racing industry’s “Golden Slipper” trophy as they could ever have hoped to be Ross and Julia Koffel were the guest of the Commonwealth Bank at the Business of Racing Lunch. The lunch was hosted by the Sydney Turf Club, and the Western Sydney Chamber of Commerce at Rosehill Racecourse. Guest speakers included the top racehorse trainer Chris...
International Women’s Day in Sydney
Koffels Solicitors & Barristers Staff Support International Women’s Day in Sydney Members of the Koffels staff attended the Law Society Panel presentation in honour of International Women’s Day. In particular, the panel presented issues facing professional women in the work place. Thereafter note was made of their on-line facility to assist those facing issues of discrimination, bullying and/or sexual harassment. Providing safe, balanced work places is...
Networking in Singapore
Ross and Julia Koffel Koffels Solicitors & Barristers: Networking in Singapore Ross and Julia Koffel spent the week in Singapore. Time well spent networking with colleagues and business contacts as part of their cross-border practice. As usual the welcome from IR Global members around the world is always a warm one. Accordingly it was a pleasure to visit the offices of WNLEX LLC and meet with Ng...
Corporate Governance Rules
What corporate governance rules do investors need to be aware of and what applies to them? The Australian Government welcomes productive foreign direct investment. A good understanding of the Australian corporate governance rules is the key to success in investing in Australia. Main legislation and regulatory sources The Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the “Act”) is the principal legislation regulating companies in Australia. The Australian Securities and Investment Commission...
Selling a Horse in Australia
Contract & Misrepresentation (applicable to all sales of horses) The law of contract and misrepresentation apply to sales of horses regardless of whether the seller is conducting a private sale, say a one off sale, or is in the business of selling horses. A purchaser can sue on the contract or in relation to any representation. Care should be taken when selling a horse to ensure...
Regional Meeting IR Global Brisbane
Regional Meeting of IR Global Members Held in Brisbane and Plan for Tokyo Ross Koffel (Koffels Solicitors & Barristers Sydney); Mark White (White & Mason Lawyers Melbourne) Paul Warden-Hutton (Houlihan2 Melbourne). The Australia/New Zealand Regional Group enjoyed another successful, and well attended meeting in Brisbane on Friday 22nd February. The hosts were our two Brisbane based firms, James Conomos Lawyers, represented by James Conomos and Wiebke...
The National Redress Scheme
The National Redress Scheme: Waiving your Common Law Rights The Government’s National Redress Scheme was implemented on 1 July 2018 following the findings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Scheme is an alternative to a civil claim for child sexual abuse (exercising your common law rights). However, the amount of compensation available to a victim under the Scheme is significantly...
