A Kominar Chronicle

During my studies at Bond University I was a legal research assistant at the Department of Law. I had the pleasure of working with the other research assistants and contributing to a law textbook. I assisted with the Privacy and Spam Law chapters along with some draft review.

Internet and E-commerce Law is published by the Oxford University press and is available for order online. I was surprised last week when a copy from Australia arrived for me!

Congratulations to both Jay Forder and Dan Svantesson on their recent publication, and to all of the others who worked behind the scenes to make it happen.

Tags: Bond

That’s it! Bond University Juris Doctor academic requirements complete! I finished my sixth and final semester with the best schedule of my life! Class timings for assignments, classes, and tutorials were perfect. For exam season, I only had to sit Canadian Constitutional Law and Civil Procedure, and I wrote them both in one fell swoop yesterday morning.

So, while I haven’t officially graduated yet, all the work is done, and now we play the waiting game! I’ve got a lot on the go for the next few weeks though. There are a number of odd jobs that need to be taken care of and I’m supporting a number of projects around campus. Also, we’re planning a trip to Thailand in the middle of September, so lots to take care of before I head back to Canada.

Stay tuned!

Tags: Zack

Jere and Emily flew into Brissy International on Monday morning and were quickly whisked off to the Gold Coast. (Note: Jere’s Nerdy Hat reads ‘Kitchener/Waterloo Software Quality Association’)

Tired, weary and jet-lagged, they were good-natured about seeing local highlights. We went grocery shopping at Robina Town Centre and toured around Bond. Dinner was a special treat as we dined on Kangaroo and Crocodile cooked up for us by a true Aussie, Nadine! It was particularly delicious and a great way to start any Australian adventure.

The next day we scouted out the coast itself and got to some of the beaches. We started at the northern end of the Gold Coast and slowly worked out way south. Lunch in Southport with Nadine, and idle wandering down civilian pavilions. by the courthouse in Southport for a delicious lunch at Mason’s.

I decided that we should head over to Q1 to get a birds-eye view of the land (Left). Q1’s claim to fame is that it is the world’s tallest all residential tower. It is apparently the 20th tallest building in the world, and the fact is well advertised at the base of the tower. Suspiciously absent in any comparison is mention of Canada’s own CN Tower. Amongst the 30 some odd technological tower-marvels, the CN doesn’t deserve to be listed!? More to follow, informal investigation to follow.

We went down the coastline and hit North Burleigh Lookout at sunset (Right). After getting lost in Miami on the way back home we indulged with some Tuk Tuk Thai Takeaway.

The next morning, I cooked up a continental brekky for the travellers and we ventured off to Brissy for our last day together. I learned something that day, Brisbane is a terrible city to drive in if you haven’t driven there before. We enjoyed the adventure because it was a good way to see the city, but stopping right turns for three streets in a row simply can’t be good for traffic. Anyhow, we made it to the airport with plenty of time and I saw them off to Cairns. They’ve got a great tripped planned, owed mostly to Emily from what I hear!

It was quite a treat to see Canadian family and friends down in Australia, and a nice way to celebrate finishing my degree! Thanks to my family who sent me down graduation cards, very appreciated and safely received.

Wishing Jere and Em all the best on the rest of their journey!

Bon Voyage!

Tags: Bond, Canada

This is as live and raw as law school blog posting can get. I’m updating the blog in the middle of my final class of law school. I’m finishing how I came in, with a whole swath of Canadians. Too bad we’re studying Canadian Constitutional Law! I’m glad to be finished with classes and tutorials for the foreseeable future.

My brother, Jeremy is coming to visit Australia next week with his girlfriend Emily. They’ll be visiting me on the Gold Coast first from August 6 to 8 and I hope to show them what can be seen in 2 days time! There was a rumoured evening-dinner visit to Q1, the world’s tallest all-residential building. Of course a trip to the Gold Coast would not be complete without a trip to the beach, and possibly into the hinterlands. Anyhow, more on their travels to follow.

As I near the end of my Bond academic career I wonder what to do with my life. I think this is an important time to reflect on where I want to go, and how I want to get there. I’m also considering what to do with this space. This site has served me will for 2 years but I think that its primary function will be changing after I leave Australia and Law School.

Don’t fear! I haven’t left yet! (I still have a paper, 2 exams, celebrations, a trip to Thaliand, graduation and some closing thoughts to regale you with!)

Thanks for sticking with me!
- Zach

Tags: Bond

Yes, it is that time again already. Just like that another semester as blown by. Mind you, there are still exams to be completed, but class work has finished for 071!

This semester, I’ll be writing the following:

• IT & The Law
• Equity
• Evidence
• Bookkeeping ( /Ethics)

I’ve been pretty on the ball with regard to IT & The Law, contributing in tutorial and paying attention. As such, the exam doesn’t worry me that much, it’s only an hour long and has short answer, fill in the blanks, and one or two problem style questions. It only covers the last half of the semester which includes Copyright, Patents, Encryption, Privacy considerations. It’s my first exam and I’m happy to get it out of the way early before the exam season officially begins. (Tues April 10)

Equity will require much more studying. These are comprehensive exams and require much more diligence to do well. For equity we’re allowed to pick areas to study as there is always choice on the exam. Dennis Ong particularly likes to taunt students by offering them a gamble of a lifeline by doing a ‘tracing’ question. Tracing involves tracing the money trail of goods in order to give appropriate equitable remedies. It’s apparently hit or miss, if you get some of the numbers wrong you can expect a 3~4 out of 20. However, if you get the numbers right you will automatically be given ~17 out of 20, Dennis will assume that you know the law and it is correct if you get the calculations correct. I haven’t decided which route I’m taking yet, but I may opt to study for tracing. (Mon April 16)

Evidence is very different from any other law class I’ve studied so far. It requires you to learn a new method of thinking rather than studying specific laws within standard areas (property, land, criminal law, etc..) We’re generally responsible for knowing the rules of evidence which include considering relevancy, hearsay exceptions, judicial notices and a host of other evidence-like things. (Wed April 18)

Bookkeeping involves keeping track of trust account money and dealing with the rules/regulations governing them. It was only a half semester course, Ethics was the other half and I’ve already finish the take home exam for that. The exam is mostly practical involving us cooking the books and balancing trial balances, cash books and investment accounts. (Thur April 19)

Wish me luck! I’ll be done soon…

Tags: Bond

Hello readers,

It is indeed December and an entire semester has passed us by with little posting. I think this was because it’s been a relatively low-key semester. The novelty of studying law has worn off in my 4th semester. Although, it has been a notable semester and I’m glad that I’m here studying still. The view from our balcony is particularly enjoyable.

Coming back to Canada
I’m very excited to be returning back to Canada 10AM 22 Dec until 6PM 12 Jan! Since I’ll be bringing a tourist along it will be an especially fun-filled holiday. Plans include a visit to Science Centre, CN Tower, Niagara Falls, Maple Leafs Game, and general ~Wintery~ hodgepodge. We’ll also hope to make it down to Windsor to see family and to pop over into Detroit.

Christmas in Summer
Despite Queensland’s lack of snow, it is possible to get into a festive mood down under. For some reason, Australia media considers summer to start at the 1st of December. Apparently Australians think they are immune to the rotation of the earth and Winter Solstice itself! Pah!

This year we have a fake tree and some cheap Santa decorations but they’re doing a great job of spreading Christmas spirit. (Side story: as we put up our tree a high-school kid was assaulted/abducted outside of our apartment and police were involved; what a touching display of Christmas joy!)
We’ve already put some presents under the tree for some of Nadine’s family. I’ve never had to shop for young children before. It can be very difficult, all praise to the ’suitable ages’ label put on toys!

Semester at Bond

I’ve finished all my tutorials/lectures for this 4th semester of the Juris Doctor. During the semester I was awarded a $5,000 Law Bursary recognising my studies in both IT/Law. On the right is a photo of the Dean of Law, CEO of SpartaMatrix and myself at the Bond University Law Library. The photo was taken after a celebratory lunch which also involved the Vice-Chancellor of the university. It was quite an experience to have lunch with some University notables. (Read the Bond News Article)

I’ve also managed to secure a position as a Research Assistant for a forthcoming textbook on E-Commerce and the Law. It’s great to be part of the inner-workings of the law faculty and part of a publication!

On the Domestic Front
When we moved into the new apartment we also got two new Siamese fighting fish. Lorax is the little red guy on the left, and Walter is the larger of the two. Unfortunately, Walter passed away a few days ago, he was caught in a new plant and exposed for a few hours. Although Nadine managed to save him from his plant prey, it was ultimately too much for him. We had a small ceremony for him down a the Jetty in Market Square.

And all that jazz..

Please advise me of any Australian paraphernalia or goods that I can bring back for you over the Christmas Season. This includes and suggested ideas for Christmas presents that you may wish to receive! Please note that I may have difficulty importing Vegemite.

With all that said I look forward to seeing many of you soon!

Tags: Canada