A focused commercial practice serving New South Wales.

Common questions

Practical answers to the questions clients ask most often.

• Can a commercial lawyer help me negotiate, not just review documents? +

  Yes. Reviewing documents is only part of what a commercial lawyer does. A good commercial lawyer will help you identify your leverage, understand the other side's interests, and develop a negotiation strategy. That might mean advising you on which terms to push back on, how to frame your position, or when to walk away. Legal review without commercial judgment is rarely enough.

• When should I involve a lawyer in a commercial deal? +

  Earlier than most people do. By the time heads of agreement are signed or a contract is drafted, the key commercial terms are often already locked in. Involving a lawyer at the term-sheet stage means you can structure the deal properly from the start, not just paper over decisions that have already been made.

• What does a commercial lawyer actually do that a general lawyer does not? +

  A commercial lawyer focuses specifically on business transactions and the legal risks that arise in commercial relationships. That includes contracts, business sales, leases, corporate structuring, shareholder agreements, and dispute resolution in a commercial context. A general practitioner might handle a wide range of legal matters, including family law, conveyancing, or criminal law. Commercial lawyers are specialists in how businesses operate and how deals are structured.

• What do I need to know before buying a business or signing a personal guarantee? +

  Before buying a business, you need to understand what you are actually acquiring, what liabilities come with it, and whether the price reflects the real value. That means due diligence on contracts, financials, employees, leases, and any legal claims. Before signing a personal guarantee, you need to understand that you are putting your personal assets on the line. The scope, duration, and cap on the guarantee all matter and can often be negotiated.

• Do I need a lawyer to review a lease before I sign it? +

  Yes, particularly for commercial and retail leases. These are long-term, high-value commitments with significant personal and business risk if things go wrong. A lawyer can identify unusual clauses, negotiate better terms, and make sure you understand exactly what you are agreeing to, including make-good obligations, rent review mechanisms, and assignment rights.

• Do co-founders need a shareholders agreement? +

  Yes. A shareholders agreement sets out how the company will be governed, how decisions are made, what happens if a founder wants to leave, and how disputes are resolved. Without one, you are relying on the Corporations Act defaults, which rarely reflect what founders actually want. The best time to put one in place is before there is any disagreement, not after.

• What should I look for in a franchise agreement? +

  Franchise agreements are heavily weighted toward the franchisor. Key things to look for include the length and renewal terms, the territory and exclusivity provisions, the fees and royalty structure, what happens if you want to exit or sell, and the obligations around fit-out and equipment. You should also review the disclosure document carefully and compare it to the agreement.

• What is a heads of agreement and is it binding? +

  A heads of agreement (also called a letter of intent or term sheet) is a document that records the key terms agreed between parties before a formal contract is prepared. Whether it is legally binding depends on its wording. Some clauses, like confidentiality and exclusivity, are often intended to be binding, while others are not. Getting legal advice before signing a heads of agreement is important, because it can shape the entire deal.

• How do you charge for commercial legal work? +

  We offer fixed fees for many types of work, including contract reviews, shareholder agreements, and business sale transactions. For more complex matters, we charge on an hourly basis. We will always give you a clear estimate before starting work so you know what to expect. We believe legal fees should be predictable, and we are transparent about costs from the outset.

• Can I get commercial legal advice in Persian or Farsi? +

  Yes. Our principal lawyer is fluent in Persian (Farsi) and can advise clients in that language. For clients who prefer to discuss complex commercial matters in their first language, this can make a significant difference to how clearly legal issues are understood and how confident you feel in making decisions.