Commercial Law

BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS

We recognise the importance of the effective workings of a business which are critical to its survival. We can assist you with all legal aspects of your business operations including those pertaining to commencement and maintenance of a business.

We can advise you on relevant business planning options as well as business solutions.

FRANCHISING

In an era where retailing is constantly evolving and highly competitive the opportunities associated with franchising are significant.

We can provide you with legal advice in relation to the establishment or purchase of a franchise. We can tell you about your rights and obligations whether as a franchisor or franchisee. We can also assist with the management of a franchise and the sale or assignment of the franchise.

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

We can provide you with assistance whether you are an employer or an employee. Our areas of advice include:

  • Unfair Dismissal;
  • Underpayment of wages;
  • Redundancies;
  • Employment Contracts;
  • Awards and Enterprise Agreements.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The term "intellectual property" refers to the ownership of ideas, designs, artistic and literary works, manufacturing processes, new or unique products and trademarks.

We can assist in providing legal advice in relation to preliminary issues arising out of intellectual property rights, including copyright, patents and trademarks. If you wish to register a trademark or patent then we can act on your behalf to engage appropriate experts to protect your rights.

If you are entering into negotiations for the sale or other contractual obligation relating to a matter that is your intellectual property then we can assist with the provision of confidentiality agreements before you disclose the details of your idea, design or other property. You should ensure that you speak to us first to avoid any risk that you lose any intellectual proprietary rights.

LEASING

We assist clients in all forms of leasing and have many landlord and tenant clients. We advise on all forms of leasing including:

  • Retail Shop Leases;
  • Commercial Leases;
  • Residential Tenancies for Houses and Units;
  • Farm and Rural Leases

PARTNERSHIP LAW

To reduce the potential for costly disputes it is important to think about the terms of an agreement when entering into a business partnership and to get those terms put in writing so all parties are aware of their rights. If you spend a little time at the beginning to think about what you want to happen in the event of certain future occurrences and decide how those matters are to be dealt with you will give yourself peace of mind that your investment is protected.

We can give you advice in relation to the best way to form a partnership and what to do in the event of disputes and dissolution of a partnership.

TRUSTS

A trust is a vehicle by which assets may be held which is distinct from having a personal beneficial interest. Common types of trusts are Unit Trusts and Discretionary Trusts. The implications of a Trust can be quite complex and you should talk to us about:

  • Preparation of Trust Deeds and establishment of a Trust;
  • Amendment of Trust Deeds including the addition, deletion or substitution of beneficiaries and trustees;
  • Protection of assets involved in Trusts;
  • Enforcement of benefits arising from Trust Deeds.