New rental laws, mobile phones and traffic fines: Law Week to focus on common legal problems

6 May 2025

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 19 to 23 May.

“This year we are focusing on everyday legal problems that affect many Australians,” said Legal Aid NSW's Natalie Neumann. “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 Neumann said the webinar on mobile phone laws will focus on whether people can 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 Neumann said.

Recent changes to NSW rental laws effective from 19 May, 2025 will also be covered in a webinar about rental rights. People will be able to learn about new rules 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 Neumann said. “And we’ll provide information about traffic fines.”

NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley said Law Week 2025 was an opportunity for the community to learn about the legal system.

“Empowering people to understand their rights and responsibilities under the law is important to facilitate equitable access to justice,” he said.

Legal Aid NSW CEO Monique Hitter emphasized the importance of legal awareness in empowering individuals to protect their rights.

“From time to time, everyone experiences legal problems – so it’s vital for people to have an understanding of the law and the free legal help that is available to them,” she said.

You can register for the webinars through the Law Week event schedule. Each live webinar will be through Zoom and Auslan interpreters will be available.

Media are encouraged to use the media kit for images to promote Law Week 2025.

Media

Solicitor Emma Langton-French is available for interview about the legal topics mentioned above.

Media contact

Georgia Clark

Email: media@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 0438 606 092

Download

Law Week 2025 media release

Law Week 2025 media release PDF | English | May 2025 | 178 kb