As July comes to a close, we’re reflecting on another busy month at Harriss Jones Lawyers. From exciting new developments within the firm to key legal updates, we’ve got a lot to share with our valued clients and colleagues. Here’s a look at what’s been happening.
We’re excited to announce that Ivy, who has been interning with us over the past few weeks, has now been offered a casual position as a Legal Clerk! Ivy’s dedication and enthusiasm have made her an invaluable member of our team that we couldn’t let go of and we’re thrilled to continue working with her. She will be working on Mondays, so feel free to reach out to her if you need assistance. Earlier in the month, our team celebrated the end of Ivy’s internship with a lovely lunch at Union Place on 15 July. It was a great opportunity to reflect on her achievements and officially welcome her into her new role.
Additionally, our law clerk, Amelie, has returned from her travels to Europe and is now back with us on a regular basis, working Fridays. Welcome back, Amelie!
In other news, our Solicitor Seth took part in the iconic Tradies Sutherland 2 Surf on Sunday, 20 July. This long-running event, which raises funds for the Wanda Surf Life Saving Club, saw Seth pacing the 11km from Sutherland to Wanda Beach in under two hours. Well done, Seth!
Our team has been busy networking and learning from fellow legal professionals this month. On 8 July, several team members attended the St George Sutherland Law Society Young Lawyers Dinner at Bianchini’s in Cronulla. The event featured a variety of speakers, including the Mayor of Sutherland Shire Council, Jack Boyd, who shared valuable insights with the next generation of legal practitioners. It was a great night for building connections and strengthening our ties with the local legal community.
We recently brought into focus a significant change for certain businesses this month, with updates to the Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Terrorism Financing Act that will affect industries such as solicitors, real estate agents, currency exchanges, car dealerships and even jewellers.
From 1 July 2026, businesses in these sectors will be regulated by AUSTRAC and will no longer have reporting obligations under the Financial Transaction Reports Act, which has been repealed. With these changes, it’s essential to be proactive in understanding the new obligations, which include:
- Implementing an AML/CTF program to protect your business from criminal exploitation
- Conducting a risk assessment and establishing tailored policies
- Appointing an AML/CTF compliance officer
- Completing customer due diligence for each transaction
- Reporting any suspicious transactions and retaining records for at least 7 years
Guidance for businesses will be provided by December 2025, but we encourage you to seek advice now if you are involved in any of these sectors to ensure full compliance with the upcoming changes.
We’d also like to extend our congratulations to all of our clients who have recently purchased property or sold and moved into new homes. We are grateful for your trust and are always here to support you with your legal needs as you move forward.
As we move into August, we’re excited for what the next month will bring. Our team remains committed to providing high-quality legal services to all of our clients. Whether you need assistance with a property transaction, will or business-related matter, we’re here to help.
We’d also love to hear from you! If you’ve worked with us recently, we’d appreciate your feedback. Feel free to leave a Google or Facebook review or drop us a note at admin@hjlaw.com.au. From all of us at Harriss Jones Lawyers, thank you for your continued support. We look forward to helping you navigate the legal landscape in the months ahead.
