A business advisory lawyer helps you set up and run your business soundly, from choosing the right structure to drafting the contracts you depend on. In NSW that usually means advising on company, trust and partnership structures, commercial contracts, franchising, and the agreements between owners, with company structures governed by the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). We advise businesses from our offices in Newcastle, and act for clients across NSW and interstate.
How we help
We handle the legal side of starting, running and growing a business, so you can get on with running it. That includes:
- Choosing and setting up the right structure.
- Drafting and reviewing commercial contracts.
- Partnership, shareholder and joint venture agreements.
- Franchising, for both franchisors and franchisees.
- Debt recovery and credit terms.
- The day to day questions that arise as you trade.
Some clients come to us for a single piece of advice, others keep us on call as the business grows. Either suits us.
Why business owners choose Mullane Lindsay
Our business and commercial work is led by Lachlan Page and Elise Goura, supported by a wider commercial team. We have advised businesses since 1976, and we keep a commercial perspective throughout, because the best legal outcome is not always the best commercial one. We tell you the difference, in plain language and without a file full of jargon.
How should you structure your business?
The right structure depends on your goals, your risk and your tax position. The common options are a sole trader, a partnership, a company, or a trust, and many businesses use a combination. Each affects your personal liability, your tax, and how readily you can bring in partners or sell later. We work through the legal considerations with you, and alongside your accountant on the tax outcomes.
What should be in a commercial contract?
A sound contract is clear about who does what, for how much, and what happens if something goes wrong. At a minimum it should set out the parties, the scope of work or goods, price and payment terms, how it can be ended, and how disputes are handled. We prepare contracts that protect you and still read plainly, and we review contracts before you sign so you know exactly what you are agreeing to.
