Commercial litigation and dispute lawyers in Newcastle

We act fast on contract breaches, debt recovery, shareholder and partnership disputes across the Hunter and NSW.
Two Mullane Lindsay solicitors reviewing legal documents

A commercial dispute ties up cash, time and relationships, so the sooner you act, the stronger your position. We act for businesses in contract breaches, debt recovery, shareholder and partnership disputes, misleading conduct and confidential information claims. Where it helps, we use the oppression remedy under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and the protections of the Australian Consumer Law. We act from our offices in Newcastle, for clients across the Hunter and NSW.

How we help

We move quickly to protect your position and recover what you are owed. We:

  • Assess your prospects and the likely cost before you commit.
  • Send a clear letter of demand and pursue early resolution.
  • Run the matter in the right court, from the Local Court to the Supreme Court Commercial List.
  • Pursue the remedy that fits, damages, debt judgement, specific performance, injunctions or an account of profits.

Why clients choose Mullane Lindsay

Our litigation team is led by Director Kristy Nunn and Special Counsel David Collins. We give commercially focused advice, not just legal advice, and we keep your costs in proportion to what is at stake. Backed by the firm since 1976, we are trusted with serious commercial work and we are not afraid to run a matter to judgement when that is what it takes.

What should you do before starting court proceedings?

Court should be a considered step, not a reflex. Before commencing we review the contract and the evidence, send a formal letter of demand, preserve the documents and records that prove your case, attempt negotiation or mediation, and check the limitation period. These steps strengthen your position and often resolve the matter without a hearing, and courts look favourably on a party that tried to resolve things first.

FAQs

A legal disagreement arising in business, from debt recovery to complex multi-party litigation. Common types include breach of contract, unpaid debts, misleading and deceptive conduct, shareholder and partnership disputes, intellectual property, construction, and insolvency-related claims. They are resolved through negotiation, mediation, arbitration or court, depending on the matter.

It depends on the amount and nature of the claim. In NSW, the Local Court handles claims up to about $100,000, the District Court up to about $1.25 million, and the Supreme Court the largest and most complex matters, with a well-regarded Commercial List. Federal matters, such as some Corporations Act claims, go to the Federal Court.

Damages, judgement for a debt with interest, specific performance, injunctions (including urgent orders), declarations of your rights, an account of profits, and in some cases winding up a company. We pursue the remedy that actually fixes your problem.

Simple debt recovery can resolve in three to six months; mid-range matters in one to two years; complex Supreme Court matters longer. We manage cost with an early, realistic view of prospects, alternative dispute resolution, clear fee arrangements, proportionality and targeted discovery.

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Strategic legal guidance when it matters most.

We start with a confidential conversation. There is no jargon and no pressure, just a clear sense of your options and what we would do next.

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