Insights Library

Leasing Update: Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme Reintroduced for Victorian Businesses

Article by Giancarlo Romano

Subdivision of Land in Two Zones

Article by Edward Mahony

Major Amendments to Stamp Duty and Land Tax in Victoria: The winners and losers

The Victorian budget delivered on 20th May 2021 proposed some highly controversial and almost immediate…

Article by Giancarlo Romano

Case Update: Application and Drafting of Development Contribution Plans

Article by Best Hooper

Case Update: Scope of Council Powers in relation to Compulsory Acquisition

Manor Central Nominees Pty Ltd v Wyndham City Council [2021] VSC 92 This case concerns…

Article by Best Hooper

Getting to Know Excess (Hiatus) Land

Article by Joel Snyder
& Ruby Rockman

VCAT Update – A return to face to face hearings

Eliza Minney, Senior Associate, of our office was part of a small group of industry…

Article by Eliza Minney

Best Hooper: The Next Generation

Article by Joel Snyder
& Romy Davidov

The Dangers of Service by Post

Legislation often allows for the service of documents by sending them through the postal service….

Article by Robert McKay

BEST Lawyers recognises BEST Hooper Lawyers

Article by Best Hooper

Compensation for Planning Blights – Amendments to Part 5 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987

Article by Joel Snyder
& Ruby Rockman

Best Hooper recognised again as First Tier Planning & Development Law Firm

Article by Best Hooper

Amendment GC172- policy neutral or material impact?

Recently, the Minister introduced Planning Scheme Amendment GC172 into a number of planning schemes across…

Article by Edward Mahony

Childcare Centres: Recession Proof Essential Services

Article by Giancarlo Romano

Roll out of Stage One of the Suburban Rail Loop

As part of the State Government’s “Victoria’s Big Build”, the Suburban Rail Loop (the Loop)…

Article by Joel Snyder
& Ruby Rockman

Clause 52.18 – Planning exemptions to assist in hospitality recovery

Article by Emily Marson

Leasing Update: Extension of Relief – and some Surprises

A new Bill was introduced on 2nd September 2020 titled the COVID-19 Commercial and Residential…

Article by Giancarlo Romano

HomeBuilder Scheme – Victorian Guidelines Announced

Article by Giancarlo Romano

Giancarlo Romano, our newest Principal Lawyer

We are delighted to announce the appointment of our newest Principal Lawyer Giancarlo Romano as…

Article by Best Hooper

New VCAT Practice Notice PNPE9 – Amendment of Plans and Applications

Article by Emily Marson

Construction to Help us Re-Build – HomeBuilder Scheme Announced

Article by Giancarlo Romano

Virtual Witnessing and Electronic Documents

Article by Ruby Rockman

Roll Out of North East Link Acquisitions Commences

The Department of Transport has commenced the acquisition process for land affected by the North…

Article by Emily Marson

Maximising the Development Potential of Land

Article by Lucy Eastoe

COVID-19 – A little bit of positivity goes a long way

As featured on Urban.com.au on 20 May 2020 view article Us lawyers, whether we like…

Article by Giancarlo Romano

VCAT Update from Deputy President Bisucci – 19 May 2020

Article by Eliza Minney

Amendments to Corporations Act in Response to COVID-19

On Tuesday 5 May 2020, the Treasurer announced changes to the Corporations Act 2001 and…

Article by Ruby Rockman

The Best Hooper Version of “Business as Usual”

Article by Joel Snyder

Leasing Update: New Regulations Place Onus on Tenants

All you need to know if you are a party to a Commercial Lease during…

Article by Giancarlo Romano

Update on VCAT Hearings

Article by Eliza Minney

Land Tax Relief Legislated for Victorians

Article by Giancarlo Romano

Leases Update: Omnibus Bill – Regulations Still to Come

Article by Giancarlo Romano

Planning and Development Update: Omnibus Bill

The Victorian Parliament passed the COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Bill 2020 (Bill) today. The Bill…

Article by Best Hooper

APDA Insights Series: Live Interview with John Cicero

Article by Best Hooper

Leasing Update: “Mandatory Code of Conduct” Announced for Commercial Tenancy Relief

On 7 April 2020, the Prime Minister announced a ‘Mandatory Code of Conduct’ approved by…

Article by Giancarlo Romano

Our new normal

Article by John Cicero

COVID-19 – Practical Solutions for landlords and tenants (Part 3)

The COVID-19 health crisis has escalated quickly into an unprecedented economic crisis. Government intervention is…

Article by Giancarlo Romano

COVID-19 – Government Assistance Overview for landlords and tenants (Part 2)

Article by Giancarlo Romano

COVID-19 Leasing Trilogy – a legal overview for landlords and tenants (Part 1)

COVID-19 has forced individuals into isolation, businesses into indefinite closure, communities into uncertainty and economies…

Article by Giancarlo Romano
& Robert McKay

A Letter to Our Developer Community

Article by Best Hooper

10 consecutive years as a first tier leading Town Planning and Development Law Firm

Article by Best Hooper

Visitor car parking the PPTN and the ghost of Benedettis case

Article by Dominic Scally

Have Water Authorities Gone Too Far?

As we understand it, there is a long-standing practice of water authorities entering private land…

Article by Joel Snyder

Best Hooper Offering Free Legal Services to Victorian Community Groups for those affected by the bushfires

Article by Best Hooper

UDIA Life Member Award

The Best Hooper team are proud to announce that Principal, John Cicero has been made…

Article by Best Hooper

Introduction of Solar Energy Facility guidelines

Article by Edward Mahony

Have we hit bottom of the market – population and building approvals projections?

The Urban Design Institute of Australia (“UDIA”) residential development index yearly update research 2019 was…

Article by Robert McKay
What is a Garden?

Garden area requirement revisited

Article by Edward Mahony

Best Hooper recognised as a First Tier Planning and Environment Firm and five lawyers recognised in The Doyle’s Guide 2019

The Doyle’s Guide 2019 Victorian Planning & Environment Law Rankings have just been announced and…

Article by Best Hooper

Best Lawyers in Australia 2020 Edition – Ian Pitt QC Wins prestigious Lawyer of the Year Award

Article by Best Hooper

The Plunkett Decision – How it affects loss on sale claims

Article by Joel Snyder

Alkero Reconsidered – The latest development in ‘Jezmac’

Article by Eliza Minney

The Roll-Out of Reformed Infrastructure Contributions Plan

The Infrastructure Contributions Plan (ICP) system was reformed by the ascent of the Planning and Environment…

Article by Joel Snyder

New regulations for owners corporations

Article by Joel Snyder

VCAT Decision Small Lot Exemption Aboriginal Heritage Regulations

The Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018 (“AH Regs”) commenced on 23 May 2018. The Tribunal in…

Article by Lucy Eastoe

Ground level – what is natural?

Article by Edward Mahony

Garden Area application – per lot or planning unit?

This was considered in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (‘VCAT’) decision of Sargentson v…

Article by Edward Mahony

A recent warning about bearing the risk of DCP Infrastructure Projects

Article by John Cicero

Integrated Decision Making – A Timely Reminder

Best Hooper successfully acted on behalf of the Stonnington City Council (Council) in the Victorian…

Article by Best Hooper

Planning permits and applications may be eligible for reduced car parking

Article by Edward Mahony

AIG forum w Hon. Matthew Guy MP and Mr. John Cicero

Article by Edward Mahony

Amended Garden Area Requirement – Clarity or Further Confusion?

Article by Emily Marson

Garden area requirement Tribunal decisions, clarity or confusion?

In the recently published decisions of Sargentson v Campaspe SC (Red Dot) [2018] VCAT 7110…

Article by Emily Marson

Best Hooper recognised as Best Lawyers in Australia 2019 Edition

Article by Best Hooper

Best Hooper recognised in The Doyle’s Guide 2018

The Doyle’s Guide 2018 Victorian Planning & Environment Law Rankings have just been announced.  Best…

Article by Best Hooper

A Slice of Heaven | The Development Potential of Air Rights in Victoria

Article by Joel Snyder

Rose Maina now Senior Associate at Best Hooper

Best Hooper is pleased to announce the successful promotion of Rose Maina to Senior Associate…

Article by Best Hooper
What is a Garden?

What is a Garden?

Article by John Cicero

Due Diligence – How Much is Enough?

When purchasing existing residential premises, most people do not consider due diligence until after they’ve entered into a contract to buy the property. This is a common mistake.

Article by Best Hooper

Electronic conveyancing; a no-brainer for property developers

Article by Giancarlo Romano

How healthy is our Victorian residential development industry?

Article by Best Hooper

Is it more than just a simple fencing dispute?

Article by Best Hooper

Planning scheme amendments to remove/vary restrictive covenants

There are four principal ways to remove/vary covenants in Victoria: By application to the Supreme…

Article by Edward Mahony

Best Hooper lawyers top Doyle’s Guide 2017

Article by Best Hooper

Report and Consent’ under the building regulations – What it is, and what it isn’t

Report and Consent – What it is: The Building Interim Regulations 2017 (Vic) and its…

Article by Best Hooper

Good Design gets green light for Seaford Local

Article by Dominic Scally

Landowners – Know your rights

As the boundaries of urban Melbourne continue to expand, there’s an increasing demand for new…

Article by Joel Snyder

Why You Should Want a Lawyer (and Not a Robot)

Article by Best Hooper

Recognised In The Best Lawyers List

Best Hooper lawyers John Cicero (Principal), Ian Pitt (Q – Special Counsel) and Teresa Bisucci…

Article by Best Hooper

Trespass by Tower Crane

Article by Best Hooper

VCAT Decision on the Transitional Provisions in Reformed Residential Zones

Article by Tania Cincotta

Development Requires Experience and Passion

Article by John Cicero

Title Insurance Holds the key for Homeowners and Buyers

If you’re a current homeowner, selling a property or developing land, there is a raft…

Article by Giancarlo Romano

‘Better Apartment Design Guidelines’ The Importance of Dates

Article by Best Hooper

Melbourne’s Population Set To Soar

Melbourne is Australia’s fastest growing city and predictions indicate its population could soar to 7…

Article by Dominic Scally

Avoid a Dispute by doing a little digging

Article by Best Hooper

Best Hooper Launches New Property Transaction Services Division

Best Hooper’s new Property Transaction Services division launched last month, with a fresh, holistic approach…

Article by Giancarlo Romano

Recent Changes To The Victorian State Government’s Planning Provisions

Article by Lucy Eastoe

The State Government’s Changes To Residential Zones

The long-awaited amendments to the residential zones will be gazetted on 27 March 2017 via…

Article by Emily Marson

Council Reform Key to Unlock Renewal Development Sites

Article by John Cicero

Highly contested case facing Gardiners Creek in Glen Iris

Article by Romy Davidov

When Mistakes Happen

Article by Best Hooper

Tribunal’s Latest Decision on the Meaning of Natural Ground Level

Faversham Mews Pty Ltd V Boroondara CC [2016] VCAT 1954 (“Faversham Mews”) This case commenced…

Article by Best Hooper

Best Hooper Joins Australia Post’s Land Title Verification of Identity (VOI) Service

Article by Emily Marson

The Infrastructure Contributions Plan and Melbourne’s Greenfield Growth Areas

We all know that development contributions help fund vital infrastructure in key growth areas of…

Article by John Cicero

New Regime For Appointing Building Surveyors In Victoria

Article by Best Hooper

VCAT Decision Favours Laneway Development

The Moonee Valley City Council’s refusal to grant a planning permit for a residential development…

Article by Best Hooper

Legislative Changes to the Application of GAIC OCT 2016

Article by John Cicero

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