Practice area
Corporate and Commercial Law
Businesses make decisions every day that carry legal consequences. We help owners, directors, and management teams understand those consequences before they commit.
Overview
What this area covers.
Our corporate and commercial work supports businesses at different stages, from founders setting up a company to established organisations reviewing how they contract, govern, and grow.
Much of this work is preventative. A carefully drafted agreement or a clear governance structure can reduce the likelihood of disagreements later and make it easier to resolve them if they arise.
- Drafting and reviewing commercial agreements, including supply, distribution, service, and agency arrangements
- Company formation, shareholder arrangements, and constitutional documents
- Corporate governance and board matters
- Advice on joint ventures and commercial partnerships
- Ongoing general counsel support for growing businesses
Who we advise
- Founders and entrepreneurs establishing a new venture
- Small and medium-sized enterprises
- Established companies and their boards
- Non-profit organisations with commercial activities
Common issues we assist with
- Understanding the obligations and risks in a contract before signing
- Agreeing how shareholders will make decisions and resolve disagreements
- Clarifying the responsibilities of directors
- Structuring a relationship with a new commercial partner
Our approach
How we handle enquiries in this area.
Understand the commercial objective
We begin by understanding what the business is trying to achieve, so that legal advice supports the decision rather than obstructing it.
Identify the material risks
We highlight the issues that matter most to the matter at hand and explain them in plain language.
Document clearly
Where documents are required, we aim for drafting that the parties can read, understand, and apply in practice.
Advocates
Who works in this area.
Related insights
Further reading.
Business Law
What Businesses Should Consider Before Signing a Commercial Contract
A commercial contract sets out how a relationship will work, and what happens when it does not. A few questions asked before signing can prevent difficult conversations later.
2 min read
Every important decision deserves careful consideration.
If you need legal guidance, start by telling us a little about your matter. We'll help you understand the appropriate next steps.
Submitting an enquiry does not create a lawyer-client relationship. We will confirm whether we are able to assist after reviewing your enquiry, including a conflict check.