The OMB Law Board

In the Season 7 finale of The OMB Law Board, Simon Bennett is joined by property law Associate Erlinda Nunn to talk about off-the-plan contracts, where you’re buying a property that hasn’t been built yet.

These contracts can run to hundreds of pages and are often signed years before construction begins, so the fine print matters. 

Simon and Erlinda cover the costs a developer can pass on to you at settlement, who gets the interest on your deposit, and how sunset dates (the developer’s deadline to finish the project) work in Queensland. They also share a real Gold Coast example where buyers lost out when the market moved.

If you’re thinking about buying an apartment, townhouse or block of land off the plan, this one’s for you.

Body corporate disputes can feel complicated, especially when you’re not sure where you stand. In this episode, Simon Bennett is joined by Juliette Nairn, OMB’s body corporate partner, for a game: Who’s the Problem?

Inspired by real scenarios sent in by listeners, Simon and Juliette work through five common body corporate situations, from renovating without approval to rejected applications, noisy neighbours, disengaged owners, and stalled maintenance requests, breaking down who’s actually at fault in each one.

Juliette also runs through a red flag, green flag checklist that every lot owner and committee member needs to hear.

If you live in, own, or manage a body corporate property, this one is for you.

Think you know how family law works? You might be surprised.

In this episode, Simon Bennett sits down with family law partner Aleena Mills for a round of Fact or Fiction, working through the assumptions people most commonly carry into separation. Does cheating affect your property settlement? Can a short relationship mean no claim? And if you’ve agreed on everything, do you actually still need a lawyer?

Aleena sets the record straight in plain English. Whether you’re navigating a separation, a de facto relationship, or just want to understand your rights, this one is worth a listen.

What does it really take to build one of Australia's most loved craft beer brands?

Ross Jurisich, co-founder of Stone & Wood, joins Simon Bennett to share the full story: from mortgaging everything to start a brewery in Byron Bay, to surviving cash crises, building a team of 200, and selling the business on their own terms.

This isn't just a story about beer. It's about the legal foundations that protected them, the shareholders agreement that made a successful exit possible, and the lessons Ross learned the hard way along the journey.

If you're an entrepreneur, a founder, or someone thinking about starting a business, this one's for you.

Bailey Bennett, associate in OMB's property law team, joins Simon to unpack one of the most misunderstood areas of property law: verbal agreements.

What happens when a real estate agent promises to extend your deposit deadline? What are your rights when an off-the-plan seller won't let your valuer in? And what does Queensland law say when a family promise about property falls apart?

Bailey walks through two real cases from 2024 and 2025, explains what implied conditions mean in practice, and answers a real subscriber question about a family home promise. 

Essential listening for anyone buying, selling, or navigating property in Queensland.

A creditor's statutory demand can look a lot like junk mail, but ignoring one could see your company wound up (legally closed down). In this episode, host Simon Bennett is joined by OMB litigation partner Cameron Marshall for his first appearance on The OMB Law Board.

Cameron explains what a statutory demand actually is (a formal demand for payment of a debt a creditor says your company owes). He covers why the 21-day deadline is so unforgiving, what to do if you genuinely dispute the debt, and why an out-of-date registered address catches so many business owners out. Plus, he answers a subscriber's question: do you need to be tough and nasty to be a good litigator?

If you own, run or direct a company, this one's for you.

Making a will is one of the most important things you'll ever do, and most people put it off for far too long.

In this episode, Simon sits down with Harley Wilkinson, Senior Associate in OMB's Estates team, to walk through the key dos and don'ts of making your will. From choosing the right executor and avoiding vague instructions, to why a DIY will kit might not be right for your situation. 

Harley also answers a listener question: if you own everything jointly with your spouse, do you still need a will? Spoiler: yes. 

If this helped you finally take the will conversation seriously, please subscribe to The OMB Law Board on YouTube and Spotify and drop us a rating.

Everyone's heard it. "I'm taking my ex to court." But what does that actually mean, and is it always the right move?

In this episode, Simon sits down with family law partner Aleena Mills to unpack when court is, and isn't, necessary during a separation. They cover the real reasons people end up in the court system, why Australia's no-fault divorce laws change the picture completely, what the process actually looks like from start to finish, and the one thing most people underestimate: the cost.

Whether you're navigating a separation now or just want to understand your options before it matters, this episode will give you the clarity to make smarter decisions.

Buying in strata for the first time? Before you sign, you need to read this.

In this episode, Simon Bennett and Juliette Nairn break down the essential documents every first-time strata buyer should review, and what they reveal about your building and budget.

Discover why the sinking fund forecast is absolutely vital (most buyers miss it), how to spot red flags in committee minutes, and the real difference between "on title" and "exclusive use."

We also dive into new NSW legislation changes that affect body corporates and what they mean for your money. Plus, Juliette answers a subscriber's question about handling unexpected special levies.

Perfect for: First-home buyers, downsizers, and anyone considering strata ownership.

If this helped, please subscribe to the OMB Law Board on YouTube and Spotify, and drop us a rating.

You did everything right — got a binding financial agreement drawn up, thought you were protected. Then your relationship ends, and your ex successfully gets it overturned. So what went wrong? 

In this episode of The OMB Law Board, host Simon Bennett is joined by Family Law Partner Aleena Mills to unpack how binding financial agreements (Australia's version of a prenup) actually work, when they can be used, and most importantly, the common mistakes that can get them set aside.

Aleena shares her top three factors for making an agreement genuinely binding, the legal grounds that can unravel one, and why rushing the process is the biggest risk she sees. 

Whether you're entering a relationship, already married, or separating, this episode gives you the clarity to protect what matters.