Business - negotiation, structuring, transactions and governance

We can assist you with the negotiation and documentation for your business transactions.

We provide advice about the most appropriate business structure for you to use, and can establish the structures for you. These structures may include Partnerships, Joint Ventures, Discretionary, Fixed and Unit Trusts, Companies, Incorporated Associations, or any other structure including any combination of the above.

We act for buyers and sellers of businesses including dealing with assignments of franchise agreements, asset lease-purchase arrangements, assignments of property leases and other licenses (like liquor and gaming licenses) and planning issues (such as with food premises licenses).

We can also work with you to govern the relations between the parties by way of Shareholder or Unitholder agreements, Management agreements and Partnership Agreements.

Commercial and Retail Property Leasing

We have experienced lawyers who can:

• document commercial and retail leases and subleases, renewals, licenses, surrenders and variations, assignments and mortgages of leases,
• establish tailor-made Shopping Centre leases and leases of standalone premises,
• provide advice about the relevant legislative rights and obligations of the parties, and
• handle leasing disputes through mediation or with the Small Business Commissioner, or through VCAT or the Court system (see Commercial Litigation link)

Our commercial lawyers have a wide range of expertise and can advise you in regard to many other commercial matters. However, where we do not have a depth of knowledge in a particular area, we are happy to assist by referring you to specialists in that area.

Our commercial clients include local municipal councils, water authorities, property developers, commercial office owners, agribusiness, educational and religious institutions, clubs and hotels, as well as other commercial corporations and individuals.