Smarter Lawcast with Hall & Wilcox

WA's workers' compensation scheme has been rewritten from the ground up – and for self-insurers, the new framework leaves little room for missed deadlines or technical mistakes. From tighter liability decision timeframes to stricter settlement and notice requirements, getting the process right matters.Hall & Wilcox Partner ⁠Ilona Strong⁠ is joined by Special Counsel Megan Cramp to explore how the reforms are playing out in practice, including changes to psychological injury claims, tax treatment of settlements and why strong systems and early evidence gathering are more important than ever. 

What does it mean when someone feels they need to change their name to fit in? The stories behind our names can reveal powerful insights about identity, culture and the experiences that shape us.Hall & Wilcox Partner Seun Idowu is joined by Diana Yaqco and Jade Tillekeratne to explore the personal and professional significance of names, why some people choose to adapt or change them, and how curiosity and respect can help createworkplaces where people feel they belong.

Workers' compensation reforms are changing the expectations on self-insurers in Queensland and South Australia, but with little judicial guidance so far, navigating the new landscape isn't straight forward.Hall & Wilcox Partner ⁠Ilona Strong⁠ is joined by Partner Angela Brookes and Special Counsel Ben Clarke to explore what the reforms mean in practice and why early intervention, clear communication and good documentation can make all the difference.

More than two years after Victoria workers' compensation reforms took effect, some of the biggest questions remain unanswered. With little judicial guidance on key tests for mental injury and ongoing weekly payments, self-insurers are still navigating plenty of grey.Hall & Wilcox Partners Ilona Strong and Andrew Stamp unpack the areas still causing headaches in practice, from determining what constitutes a mental injury and its predominant cause to approaching 130-week reviews, and why sometimes self-insurers need to look beyond the medical report and make their own judgment call.

Getting someone's name right is about more than respect – it's a reflection of the culture we create and the value we place on belonging. While small moments matter, lasting inclusion also depends on representation, curiosity andleadership. Hall & Wilcox Partner Seun Idowu⁠⁠ is joined by StephenAkinsanya, a London-based criminal barrister, to explore why names matter in the legal profession, the importance of representation at senior levels, and how individuals can help build more inclusive workplaces. 

A major shake-up to psychological injury claims is now in effect in New South Wales. From new eligibility thresholds to a different approach for trauma and conduct claims, the reforms have significant implications for employers.Hall & Wilcox Partner Ilona Strong and Special Counsel Belinda Walsh explain what has changed and where organisations should focus first.

Getting someone's name right is one of simplest ways to build trust, but it's something the legal profession doesn't always get right. The way we recognise, and respect people's identities can shape their experience of the legal system, strengthen client relationships and foster a more inclusive profession.Hall & Wilcox Partner Seun Idowu⁠ is joined by Teagan Naidu, criminal solicitor at Marrickville Legal Centre, to explore why names matter in legal practice and what individuals can do to create more inclusive experiences for clients and colleagues. 

Lauren Separovich and Ian Clarke-Fisher continue their discussion on how artificial intelligence is impacting legal professional privilege, exploring how AI is changing litigation practice in the United States and what this means for Australia. They examine judicial guidance, the implications of AI-assisted legal work and the practical considerations for lawyers using AI in litigation. 

Creating inclusive workplaces starts with the choices each of us makes every day. From the language we use to the assumptions we make, small actions can have a lasting impact on whether people feel they belong. Hall & Wilcox Partner Seun Idowu is joined by James d'Apice, founder of Gravamen and creator of Coffee and a Case Note, to explore how the role individuals play in fostering inclusion, the responsibility that can come with relative privilege and how moving beyond good intentions can help drive meaningful cultural change.

Lauren Separovich and Ian Clarke-Fisher discuss how US courts are responding to artificial intelligence and what Australian lawyers can learn from these developments. They explore the landmark United States v Heppner decision, whether AI should be treated as a third party and the implications for confidentiality and legal professional privilege that flow from this catalyst decision.

Fay Calderone is joined by Hall & Wilcox Chief Executive Partner Graydon Dowd and employment partner Alison Baker to discuss what great leadership looks like in today's increasingly complex workplace environment. From psychosocial safety and high performance to communication, resilience and workplace culture, this episode explores how leaders can support their people through ongoing change while building safe, engaged and high-performing teams.

Fay Calderone is joined by partners Emily Harvey and Suzie Leask to discuss how leaders can navigate workplace transformation amid rapid technological change, economic uncertainty, and growing employee expectations. From AI governance and board accountability to psychological safety and workforce trust, this episode explores the leadership, governance and people considerations organisations should be thinking about as they adapt to disruption and the future of work.

Seun Idowu and Sewar Mitanis discuss the connectionbetween names, cultural identity and professional experience. They explore the realities of having a name that is often mispronounced, the impact of assumptions in the workplace, and how experiences of bias and belonging canshape how individuals show up at work.

Fay Calderone is joined by Sean Sullivan and Clare Kerley to discuss reasonable management action and the challenges employers face when managing performance, conduct and workplace complaints. They explore common misconceptions, why workplace issues often escalate into legal claims and how employers can balance fairness, process and communication when managing difficult situations.

Fay Calderone is joined by Jessica Luker and Nicholas Beech to discuss the growing focus on psychosocial hazards in the workplace and what it means for employers. They explore what psychosocial risks are, how regulators are enforcingcompliance and what organisations should be thinking about when identifying, assessing and managing these risks.

Seun Idowu, Aash Velhal and Stephen Lin discuss how names reflect cultural identity and the role workplaces create in creating inclusive environments. They explore personal experiences of adapting names, the confidence to correct others and practical ways organisations can make it easier to get names right.

Fay Calderone is joined by Rosemary Roach and Piers Mitchem to discuss the legal and practical challenges organisations face when navigating restructures and redundancies. They explore what makes a redundancy genuinely compliant under the Fair Work Act, where employers commonly get it wrong and the practical steps organisations can take to reduce legal risk while leading workplace change with transparency and compassion. 

Karl Rozenbergs, Alison Choy Flannigan and David Markham discuss how registered providers in Australia can manage debt risk under the new Aged Care Act 2024, including the shift to means-tested co-payments, what security of tenure rules mean in practice and practical steps providers can take to reduce risk early.

Seun Idowu and Sonia Sawant discuss the role names play inrecognising identity and fostering respect in the legal profession. They explore name fatigue, the pressure to anglicise and how greater awareness and confidence, particularly among the next generation, are driving more inclusive practices.

Seun Idowu and Kenny Trần discuss the significance of names in professional settings, including the impact of correct pronunciation, the use of diacritical marks and how small actions can signal respect and inclusion. They explore Kenny's experience with court recognition of his name and what it means for culturally diverse communities. 

Suzie Leask, Alison Baker and Eden Winokur discuss Australia's privacy landscape, to celebrate Privacy Awareness Week 2026, which has a theme of ‘Trust is built here'. With businesses holding more data than ever before, organisations should focus on transparency, consent and security when it comes to customers' personal information. They also highlight how the Australian Information Commissioner is now focusing as much on enforcement as dispute resolution. 

Jacqueline McGrath and Adam Dimac unpack the capital versus revenue distinction in property development and why it remains a key ATO focus. They explore recent cases, common risk areas and practical steps, like strong documentation, to help manage risk.

Seun Idowu and Sumith Perera discuss what's in a name and why it matters, including the cultural significance of names, the impact of mispronunciation and how getting names right can foster inclusion, respect and belonging in the workplace. 

Sophia Wang and Frank Hinoporos explore when money received from overseas relatives is truly a gift for Australian tax purposes, and when it may attract scrutiny from the ATO. They highlight key red flags, what the ATO looks for, and why clear documentation, including a deed of gift, is critical to reducing risk.

Lauren Separovich and James Shiel continue their discussion on how artificial intelligence is impacting legal professional privilege, comparing developments in Australia and the United Kingdom. They examine differences and similarities in judicial language, the evolving distinction between open and closed AI, emerging procedural responses and the practical risks facing litigators, including disclosure, governance and the use of AI in legal workflows.

Catie Moore and Zachary Whale of GrainGrowers discuss the Commonwealth Government's $1.1 billion Cleaner Fuels Program and what it means for Australia. They explore the role of canola in low carbon fuel production, lessons from the US and EU and the policy settings needed to support a domestic industry. Learn more about GrainGrowers at graingrowers.com.au

Lauren Separovich and James Shiel discuss how artificialintelligence is impacting legal professional privilege, with a focus on how the issue is being approached in both Australia and the United Kingdom. They explore key similarities and differences in legal frameworks, significant UpperTribunal commentary from the UK, emerging Australian judicial consideration, and the risks associated with using public AI tools when handling confidentialinformation. 

Gloria Lim and Ruby Wensor look beyond core eligibility requirements to unpack the broader risk and governance considerations for businesses claiming the R&D tax incentive in Australia. They explore ATO focus areas, commercial arrangements that can affect R&D claims, the relevance of considering R&D claims in a transaction context, and why legal oversight can make all the difference. 

Laura Hanrahan and McLane Edinger discuss what happens when an informal will application is unsuccessful and how estates are dealt with in those circumstances. They explore the potential outcomes, including the role of earlier wills, intestacy and partial intestacy, and the risks of beneficiaries when a will fails. 

Laura Hanrahan and Karen Gaston discuss the rise of informal wills in Australia and how the courts determine whether a document can be admitted to probate. They explore the key legal requirements, recent case examples including digital documents, and the practical challenges in proving testamentary intention and capacity. The episode also highlights the risk of informal wills and why getting proper advice upfront can help avoid costly disputes.

Catie Moore and Lauren Separovich discuss how Australian courts and regulators are responding to the growing use of AI in legal practice and what it means for legal professional privilege. They explore recent Family Court decisions, emerging judicial commentary, and key developments, including the Victorian Law Reform Commissions' report on the use of AI in courts and tribunals. The episode also highlights the risks of using generative AI tools and the current approach to maintaining confidentiality when engaging with AI.

Catie Moore⁠ and ⁠Lauren Separovich⁠ discuss the growing intersection between AI and legal professional privilege, including recent developments in Australia and overseas. They explore the risks of uploading confidential information to open AI platforms, emerging court decisions, and considerations for lawyers and clients when using AI. 

⁠⁠Erin Brown⁠⁠ and Emma Woolley discuss the role of the family office in succession planning, including trends in family governance, how families can prevent future conflict and why documenting values and preparing the next generation is key to preserving wealth and purpose across generations.

⁠⁠⁠Ilona Strong⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Stephanie Driscoll and Ben Clarke discuss how psychological injury work claims are assessed in Western Australia and South Australia.

⁠Erin Brown⁠ and Jacqui Barrett discuss the transition of directly held businesses and why it is vital to plan for the transition of your business, whether to ensure a smooth transfer of wealth and control to the next generation or to avoid an unexpected business partner in case of an unplanned death or total and permanent disability. Putting in place planning tools, such as buy sell deeds and shareholder agreements can help ensure continuity and stability.

⁠⁠⁠Ilona Strong⁠⁠⁠⁠, Rebecca Huleatt and Kate Frost discuss the differing approaches taken in the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory towards psychological injuries in the workplace.

Nathan Kennedy and guest Gillian Moon discuss the Australian Human Rights Institute's ‘State of Denial' report, and the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion, in which it stated, among other points, that all states have a binding international law duty to prevent significant harm to the earth's climate. They outline Australia's emissions, human rights law obligations, the significance of the ICJ opinion, and what practical steps companies should be taking now to align themselves with international law and avoid legal risk.

Erin Brown and James Whiley discuss the fundamentals of business succession planning, including why a structured plan matters, how different business structures impact succession and the key documents and strategies that help business owners protect continuity, preserve family harmony and plan for the unexpected.

⁠⁠Ilona Strong⁠⁠⁠ and Angela Brookes discuss psychological injuries at work in Queensland, including what is compensable and how to defend these types of claims.

⁠Mark Dunphy⁠ and Kristopher Kunasingam discuss Australia's approach to migration and its intricate employment laws. There's many issues for foreign investors to be aware of, from visas to employer record-keeping obligations, strict unfair dismissal to penalties for non-compliance.

⁠Ilona Strong⁠⁠ and Andrew Stamp outline two hypothetical scenarios and explore how Victorian law deals with psychological injuries at work.

Mark Dunphy and Ed Paton discuss key issues for South East Asia investors to consider when investing in Australia, including how to navigate Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approvals and the effect on foreign investment that new merger clearance laws from 1 January 2026 will have.

Ilona Strong⁠ and Tim Ainsworth discuss how NSW law applies to psychological injuries in the workplace. They outline two hypothetical scenarios, exploring what needs to be satisfied for a claim to be compensable and what defences are available under NSW law. 

Historical ties bind Australia and the UK – but the legal systems have evolved to be very different, particularly in financial regulation and industrial relations.  Chris Brown and guest Nigel Clark discuss the UK and Australian markets. There are plenty of opportunities for UK companies looking to invest, while challenges include making incorrect assumptions about the Australian legal landscape and navigating Australia's foreign investment approvals process.

Mark Dunphy⁠, Jacqui Barrett and Ben Hamilton discuss key issues US investors need to navigate when investing in Australia. They explore the sectors currently attracting US investors, the growing influence of the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) on cross-border deals and the impact of Australia's new merger clearance regime – including the serious risk of a deal being declared void if investors don't comply.

Alison Choy Flannigan and Nathan Luker, co-founder of Your Call, unpack the new whistleblowing obligations for aged care providers under the new Aged Care Act, commencing 1 November 2025. They discuss internal vs external reporting pathways, confidentiality requirements and what providers must do now to comply – from updating policies to building a culture that supports safe disclosures.

Jacqueline McGrath and Sara Shahin discuss the evolving role of the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) – from changes to the Tax Agent Services Act to new code obligations and what triggers a TPB review. They break down breach reporting requirements, extended investigation timeframes and what tax practitioners should be doing now to stay ahead.

Partner and Head of Cyber Eden Winokur⁠⁠⁠ and barrister Tamir Maltz explore the use of cyber injunctions in Australia in response to data breaches. The discussion includes how they work, when to seek them and the value they offer victims of data breaches. They also discuss non-publication orders, class action risk and how Australia compares with the UK in the use of cyber injunctions. 

In raising default assessments, the Commissioner of Taxation may utilise the ‘asset betterment' methodology to deem an amount to which tax will be payable. Jacqueline McGrath and Lloyd Miller explain the methodology and outline what sort of mistakes taxpayers commonly make in challenging these assessments.

Nathan Kennedy, Alison Choy Flannigan and guest Alex Green from Loom Consulting explore the drivers behind not-for-profit mergers – from regulatory pressures to funding and leadership change – and share practical guidance on how boards can navigate mergers with clarity, care and purpose.

Frank Hinoporos⁠ and Bradley White uncover the hidden traps in state taxes – covering land tax, payroll tax and stamp duty quirks that continue to catch businesses off guard across different jurisdictions.