Property Dispute Lawyers
When a sale, settlement or co-ownership goes wrong
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Most property disputes start small: a settlement date missed, a deposit held back, a co-owner who will not sign, or a defect found at the final inspection. How they end often depends on what happens in the first few days, and on the notices served under the contract.
Optimum Lawyers is a property law firm in Parramatta Square, led by principal solicitor Wisam Assi. We act on property in every Australian state and territory.

Call us before you serve or answer a notice
We offer a free initial contract assessment. It is a brief first look at whether the contract appears ready for a full paid legal review. It is not the full review, and it is not free conveyancing.
Disputes we deal with
- Failed or delayed settlements. In NSW a notice to complete can make time essential. Under the standard Queensland contract, time is already of the essence. Victoria and WA use default notices under the contract. Each has to be served correctly to work.
- Deposit disputes. Who keeps the deposit depends on the contract and on why the sale ended.
- Disclosure and misrepresentation. A missing or wrong Section 32, Form 1, Form 2 or other disclosure can give a buyer the right to end the contract.
- Caveats. Lodging a caveat to protect an interest in land, or dealing with one that is holding up a sale. In NSW an owner can serve a lapsing notice, after which the caveator usually has 21 days to get a court order or the caveat lapses.
- Co-owners who disagree. In NSW, a co-owner can apply to the Supreme Court under section 66G of the Conveyancing Act for trustees to be appointed to sell the property.
- Family and estate property. Disputes about property held for, or promised to, family members.
How we approach a dispute
- Read the contract, the notices and the correspondence, and tell you where you stand.
- Act quickly where a deadline is running.
- Try to resolve it by negotiation or mediation.
- Where it cannot be resolved, advise on proceedings and their cost before you commit.
Under the Legal Profession Uniform Law we disclose our costs before we start. For court work, see our litigation lawyers.
Disputes in other states
Each state has its own contract terms, notices and tribunals. We act on property disputes involving property in NSW and interstate.
What clients say
“He represented me through a time-sensitive property purchase and was exceptional from start to finish.”
Jarrod Oliver, Google review
Questions about property disputes
What is a notice to complete?
In NSW, a notice served after the settlement date has passed that makes time essential and sets a new deadline to settle. It must be served by a party who is ready, willing and able to settle.
Can a co-owner force the sale of a property in NSW?
Yes, by applying to the Supreme Court under section 66G of the Conveyancing Act for trustees to be appointed to sell it.
How do I remove a caveat?
In NSW an owner can serve a lapsing notice. Unless the caveator obtains a court order in time, usually 21 days, the caveat lapses.
Who keeps the deposit if a sale falls through?
It depends on the contract and the reason the sale ended. Get advice before you demand or release it.
Related: Property lawyers | Strata lawyers | Litigation lawyers
From Our Clients
We are the leading interstate Queensland conveyancing property lawyers in Sydney for a reason. Ethical, Trusted, Optimum Lawyers Parramatta at your service. Still unsure? We let our reviews do the talking.
Top Rated
Service 20265.0 verified by TrustindexTrustindex verifies that the company has a review score above 4.5, based on reviews collected on Google over the past 12 months, qualifying it to receive the Top Rated Certificate.



























