VCAT planning
Harwood Andrews Lawyers is highly experienced in representing clients at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), where planning application-related appeals are heard.
We act on behalf of local government authorities in appeals held against them for refusing or approving an application, and also act on behalf of parties in dispute with councils.
Our strong understanding of local government, planning and environmental law is complemented by our particular experience in the workings of VCAT.
Due to our proficiency and experience in this area of law, we appear in VCAT as counsel. This gives our clients the benefit of being represented by a highly skilled advocate who has detailed understanding of their case, as well as avoiding a replication of costs.
Equal opportunity
Harwood Andrews Lawyers represents clients dealing with equal opportunity law matters.
We provide specialist advice and act for clients in such diverse areas as disability discrimination, sex discrimination, racial and religious vilification and sexual harassment.
Jim Rutherford, principal of the Harwood Andrews Lawyers Litigation department, appears as an advocate for clients in the Equal Opportunity Commission, VCAT and the Australian Industrial Relations Commission in relation to cases involving the freedom of association provisions of the Workplace Relations Act. He is accredited as a specialist in workplace relations law by the Law Institute of Victoria.
A salient example of the type of successful outcome we deliver to our clients relates to acting on behalf of the owner of a shopping complex, which had been sued pursuant to the provisions of the Equal Opportunity Act for failure to provide wheelchair access to a mezzanine floor within the complex.
We were able to apply our solid understanding of equal opportunity law and our pragmatism to produce a satisfactory result for our client by outlining that the complex incorporated an existing building, which had been renovated but did not allow for wheelchair access.
All courts
Harwood Andrews Lawyers regularly appears on behalf of statutory authorities at all courts across Australia, including the Magistrates’, County, Supreme and Federal courts.
Where possible, we always aim to resolve disputes without requiring court proceedings. However, when this cannot be achieved our highly skilled lawyers are experienced advocates and frequently appear on behalf of clients as a cost-effective alternative to briefing external counsel.
We have successfully acted for statutory authorities in a broad range of matters ranging from Magistrates’ Court prosecutions to more complex contractual disputes in the Supreme Court.