New rental laws, mobile phones and traffic fines: Law Week is set to put the focus on common legal problems.

Lawyers are providing free webinars during Law Week this month to simply explain people’s rights about everyday issues like traffic fines, mobile phones, rental problems, disputes over used cars and parenting arrangements after separation.

Legal Aid NSW is hosting Lunch and the Law webinars from May 19 to 23.

One webinar will be delivered each weekday during Law Week from noon to 1pm — which is ‘lunch break’ for most.

“This year we are focusing on everyday legal problems that affect many Australians,” Legal Aid NSW solicitor in charge community legal education Emma Langton-French said.

“We are hoping these sessions will help dispel the complexities of the law and empower people with an understanding of what their rights are."

Ms Langton-French said the webinar on mobile phone laws would focus on whether people could record you, whether you must hand your phone to police if they ask, and what to do if you think someone is tracking your phone.

“Nearly everyone has a phone, but there is limited understanding among the general public about people's legal rights when using a phone,” Ms Langton-French said.

Recent changes to NSW rental laws will also be covered in a webinar about rental rights.

People will be able to learn about new rules effective May 19, 2025 making it easier to keep pets, as well as other changes limiting rent increases, and rental agreement terminations when there is no valid reason given.

In a separate session, an experienced family lawyer will talk about parenting after separation and laws around parenting and how parenting orders are made.

“We will also be talking about what people should know before buying a used car and what their consumer rights are if something goes wrong,” Ms Langton-French said.

“And we’ll provide information about traffic fines.”

Legal Aid NSW online webinars, via Zoom and the Legal Aid NSW YouTube page are:

Parenting arrangements and the law, Monday, May 19: This session will cover how parenting arrangements are made after a separation. Hear an experienced family lawyer discuss the new laws about parenting, and how parenting orders are made.

Renting and the law, Tuesday, May 20: Learn all about the new changes to NSW rental laws. Hear about the ending of ‘no grounds’ terminations, changes to keeping pets, limiting rent increases and more.

Secondhand cars and the law, Wednesday, May 21: Hear from experts about what you need to know before buying a used vehicle, including your consumer rights if something goes wrong.

Traffic fines and the law, Thursday, May 22: Put the brakes on traffic offences. Learn all about what your options if you receive a penalty notice, what to consider before going to court, good behaviour licences and ways to pay your fines.

Mobile phones and the law, Friday, May 23: Nearly everyone has a mobile phone. But do you know your rights and the laws related to mobile phones? When can you use a mobile phone while driving? Can you record other people in public? Can people film you? Can you secretly record a phone conversation? Do you have to hand your phone to police if they ask? What can you do if you think someone is tracking your phone? Join this Law Week webinar to learn more about mobile phones and the law from an experienced criminal lawyer.

You can register for the webinars through the Law Week website.

Each live webinar will be through Zoom and Auslan interpreters will be available.

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