Neighbourhood Disputes | By Lawyers
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Neighbourhood Disputes

VIC

A practical guide to the law applicable to neighbourhood disputes in Victoria.

1 Matter Plan

Overview

The commentary covers disputes over dividing fences, trees, companion animals, and Nuisance.

The Reference materials folder includes guidance on electronic signing and witnessing, and the comprehensive Getting the matter underway folder includes compliance and client care documents. Using the extensive Retainer Instructions when gathering information ensures nothing is missed.

Precedents in this publication include:

  • Library of notices and applications;
  • Example letters to the other side for:
    • tree issues;
    • dog bite;
    • stormwater;
    • nuisance.
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1 Matter Plan Included

  • Item icon ALERTS - Nil
  • Item icon Full Commentary - Neighbourhood Disputes (VIC)
  • Folder icon Reference materials
    • Item icon AI Prompts
      An AI prompt defines a specific task for AI to perform, like drafting a particular document, and provides clear instructions on how to execute that task. The goal is for the AI to quickly create a useful first draft of a document, which the user verifies and refines into a final version, ultimately ...

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    • Item icon Looking to the Future
    • Item icon Electronic Signing and Witnessing
    • Item icon 101 Costs Answers
    • Item icon Further information
  • Item icon Overview
    While many issues between neighbours are directly addressed by a law or regulation and may finally – perhaps after many months or years – be resolved by recourse to the courts, these types of dispute can potentially compete with family law conflicts when it comes to creating emotional pain and ...

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  • Folder icon A. Getting the matter underway
    • Item icon File cover sheet - Neighbourhood disputes
    • Item icon First steps
    • Item icon Client details and verifying identity
    • Item icon Retainer instructions - General
    • Item icon Conflict of interest check
    • Item icon Letter to client enclosing costs agreement
    • Item icon Costs agreement - VIC
    • Item icon Standard costs disclosure form for clients - Fees under $3000
    • Item icon Time and costs estimates
    • Folder icon If required - Updating costs disclosure
      • Item icon Letter to client updating costs disclosure
      • Item icon Charge securing costs
      • Item icon Guarantee securing costs
      • Folder icon Costs disclosure before settlement in litigation matters
        • Item icon Letter to client - Costs disclosure before settlement - NSW, VIC, and WA
        • Item icon Letter to client - Costs disclosure before settlement - QLD, SA, TAS, ACT, and NT
    • Folder icon General deeds, agreements, execution clauses, and statutory declarations
      • Item icon Deeds and Agreements
      • Folder icon Deeds
        • Item icon Deed for general use
        • Item icon Deed of guarantee
        • Item icon Deed of release
        • Item icon General deed of indemnity
        • Item icon Deed of assignment of agreement
        • Item icon Deed of gift
        • Folder icon Library of standard clauses for deeds
          • Item icon Amendment
          • Item icon Confidentiality for defined information - All parties
          • Item icon Confidentiality for defined information - One party
          • Item icon Confidentiality for terms of deed - All parties
          • Item icon Confidentiality for terms of deed - One party
          • Item icon Costs
          • Item icon Counterparts
          • Item icon Dispute resolution
          • Item icon Events beyond control
          • Item icon Governing law and jurisdiction
          • Item icon Interpretation
          • Item icon No assignment
          • Item icon Notices
          • Item icon Severance
          • Item icon Waiver
          • Item icon Whole agreement
      • Folder icon Agreements
        • Item icon Agreement for general use
        • Item icon Heads of agreement
        • Item icon Non-disclosure agreement - Formal
        • Item icon Non-disclosure agreement - Informal
        • Folder icon Library of standard clauses for agreements
          • Item icon Amendment
          • Item icon Confidentiality for defined information - All parties
          • Item icon Confidentiality for defined information - One party
          • Item icon Confidentiality for terms of agreement - All parties
          • Item icon Confidentiality for terms of agreement - One party
          • Item icon Costs
          • Item icon Counterparts
          • Item icon Dispute resolution
          • Item icon Events beyond control
          • Item icon Governing law and jurisdiction
          • Item icon Interpretation
          • Item icon No assignment
          • Item icon Notices
          • Item icon Severance
          • Item icon Waiver
          • Item icon Whole agreement
      • Folder icon Execution clauses
        • Folder icon Library of execution clauses for agreements
          • Item icon Attorney
          • Item icon Authorised officer
          • Item icon Company
          • Item icon Company - Sole director
          • Item icon Individual
          • Item icon Individual - No witness
        • Folder icon Library of execution clauses for deeds
          • Item icon Attorney
          • Item icon Authorised officer
          • Item icon Company
          • Item icon Company - Sole director
          • Item icon Individual
      • Folder icon Statutory declarations
        • Item icon Commonwealth statutory declaration
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - ACT
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - NSW
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - VIC
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - QLD
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - TAS
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - SA
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - WA
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - NT
        • Item icon Standard annexure note for documents
      • Item icon Standard annexure note for documents
  • Folder icon B. Fences
    • Item icon Fences
      The law on this subject is governed by the Fences Act 1968. ‘Dividing fence’ means a fence located on the common boundary of adjoining land, or if not located on the common boundary, that has the purpose of separating adjoining lands.

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    • Item icon Fencing notice
    • Item icon Urgent fencing notice
  • Folder icon C. Trees
    • Item icon Trees and neighbours
      A frequent source of angst is the next-door neighbour’s tree overhanging a property, dropping fruit, leaves, or branches, and generally making a mess. What can one do about it? Has your client spoken to the neighbour about the problem? Often the situation can easily be resolved.

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    • Item icon Example letter to other side - Problems relating to trees
  • Folder icon D. Domestic animals
    • Item icon Domestic animals
      The title of the Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994 was changed to the Domestic Animals Act 1994 in 2007. If the owner of a cat or dog is under 17 years old then the parent or guardian of the person is deemed the owner of the animal.

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    • Item icon Example letter to other side - Dog bite
  • Folder icon E. Other nuisance
    • Item icon Other nuisances including lights, security cameras, neighbours and noise
      Tolerance is required. Try to get your client to sort it out themselves with minimum emotion. The law relating to neighbours' rights and responsibilities is covered largely by the common law of nuisance.

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    • Item icon Example letter to other side - Nuisance
    • Item icon Example letter to other side - Stormwater
  • Folder icon F. Finalising the matter
    • Item icon Letter to client finalising the matter
    • Item icon Example invoice incorporating notification of client's rights - VIC
    • Item icon Closing the file
    • Item icon File closing checklist
  • Item icon Comments and suggestions for By Lawyers

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