8:15am - 9:15am

Registration & Exhibition Opens

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9:15am - 9:20am

SCA (ACT) 2026 Strata Law Forum Opening​​​​

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9:20am - 9:45am

Rules Are Binding

Presenter: Susan Proctor, Proctor Legal

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Rules are fundamental to creating safe, respectful and harmonious strata communities. While the UTMA provides a framework for rules that are legally binding on owners and occupiers, many owners corporations struggle with consistent enforcement and understanding the limits of their powers.

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This session explores the legal status of rules under the UTMA, including the differences between default rules, amended rules and house rules, and how these operate in practice. It will examine available enforcement mechanisms, including infringement notices and applications to ACAT, while also addressing the practical challenges that arise when committees are reluctant to enforce rules, apply them inconsistently or misunderstand what is legally enforceable.

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9:45am - 10:10am

Managing Mixed-Use and Short-Term Rentals

Presenter: Susan Proctor, Proctor Legal

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As our cities become denser and communities more diverse, strata schemes are increasingly accommodating a mix of residential, commercial and short-term accommodation uses within the same development. While this diversity brings opportunities, it can also create tension when expectations around amenity, safety, security and lifestyle differ.

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This session explores the legal framework governing the use of lots under the UTMA; with a particular focus on mixed-use developments and the growing prevalence of short-term rental accommodation. Susan will discuss common challenges such as noise, visitor behaviour, security concerns, parking and competing interests between owners, residents and businesses. The session will also examine the limits of current rules and consider whether legislative reform is required to better address the realities of modern strata living.

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10:10am - 10:35am

Committees, Quorum and Control

Presenter: Georgina Phelps, BAL Lawyers

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Effective governance sits at the heart of every successful strata community, yet many disputes arise from misunderstandings about who has the authority to make decisions and how those decisions should be made. This session explores the governance framework under the UTMA, focusing on the roles of the Owners Corporation and Executive Committee, quorum requirements, voting thresholds and the use of reduced quorum provisions.

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The session will examine common challenges faced by strata communities, including low owner engagement, over-reliance on reduced quorum, informal decision-making and poorly documented resolutions. Georgina will discuss practical approaches to improving governance, increasing participation and ensuring decisions are transparent, valid and defensible.

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10:35am - 10:55am

Morning Tea​​

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10:55am - 11:20am

Alterations to Common Property

Presenter: Allyson Hogan, Namadgi Legal ​

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From air-conditioning units and EV chargers to renovations, solar panels and modifications affecting building services, alterations to common property are among the most common and contentious issues faced by strata communities. While many requests appear straightforward, they often raise complex questions around ownership, approval pathways, ongoing maintenance responsibilities and liability.

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This session explores the distinction between unit property and common property under the UTMA, and the processes required when owners seek to alter, improve or make use of common property. Allyson will discuss approval requirements, decision-making thresholds and the role of the owners corporation and executive committee in assessing requests. The session will also examine common areas of dispute, including informal approvals, historical works, unauthorised alterations and inconsistent decision-making between owners.

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11:20am - 12:15pm

Understanding Why Disputes Escalate

Presenter: Allyson Hogan, Namadgi Legal ​

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Disputes are an inevitable part of strata living, but not all disagreements need to escalate into formal legal proceedings. This session explores why disputes arise, the common triggers that cause tensions to escalate, and the challenges faced by owners, executive committees, strata managers and residents when trying to resolve issues constructively.

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The session will examine the current reliance on ACAT as the primary dispute resolution pathway, including its benefits and limitations in terms of cost, accessibility and timeliness. It will also explore opportunities for earlier intervention, informal resolution pathways and internal dispute mechanisms that may assist parties to resolve issues before relationships break down or legal proceedings become necessary.

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Allyson will discuss practical strategies for managing conflict, improving communication and fostering a culture of early resolution, while also considering future reform options, including the potential role of a Strata Commissioner and alternative dispute resolution models.

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12:15pm - 12:40pm

Law of Enforcement

Presenters: Sarah Hendry and Shelley Mulherin, Thomsons​

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Unpaid levies can place significant financial pressure on owners corporations and create challenges for strata managers responsible for managing arrears. While standard debt recovery processes are commonly used, there are a range of legal enforcement options available when debts remain unpaid.

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This session explores the legal framework and processes available to owners corporations seeking to recover outstanding levies. It will examine the progression from initial recovery action through to formal enforcement, including bankruptcy and other less commonly used legal channels. The session will also consider practical strategies, common challenges and the factors owners corporations should consider when deciding which enforcement pathway to pursue.

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12:40pm - 1:30pm

Lunch​​​

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1:30pm - 2:00pm

Privacy, Redaction and Records

Presenters: Samuel Harper, Caroline Doherty and Shelley Mulherin, Thomsons​

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Strata communities operate in an environment where transparency and accountability are essential, yet these obligations must be carefully balanced against the privacy rights of owners, residents and third parties. As requests for information become more frequent and technology increasingly forms part of everyday strata operations, owners corporations and strata managers are often faced with difficult questions about what information can be shared, what must be protected and when redaction is necessary.

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This session explores how the UTMA requirements for access to records and disclosure interact with privacy considerations across a range of common scenarios, including CCTV footage, meeting minutes, email correspondence and owners corporation registers containing addresses and contact details. Samuel, Caroline and Shelley will discuss practical approaches to managing requests for information, balancing transparency with confidentiality, and reducing the legal and reputational risks associated with mishandling personal information.

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​​​​2:00pm - 3:00pm 

Mock Tribunal: Inside an ACAT Hearing

Presenter: Shelley Mulherin, Thomsons

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Ever wondered what really happens when a strata dispute ends up before ACAT? This interactive session recreates a realistic tribunal hearing, giving participants a behind-the-scenes look at how strata disputes are presented, argued and determined.

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Using a practical case study based on common strata issues, participants will observe the roles of the applicant, respondent, legal representatives, witnesses and the tribunal member. The session will demonstrate how evidence is assessed, how legislation is applied, and where parties often make mistakes that can weaken their case. Shelley will also explore the importance of preparation, record keeping and understanding the legal framework before commencing proceedings.

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Designed to be informative, practical and engaging, this mock hearing will help demystify the ACAT process and provide valuable insights into how disputes are resolved in practice.

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3:00pm

SCA (ACT) 2026 Strata Law Forum Closing ​​