Henry Street Law assists business owners, companies, partnerships and other organisations in Traralgon and across Greater Gippsland with commercial law and contract matters.
From reviewing and drafting business agreements to advising on company matters, transactions and commercial risk, we provide practical advice tailored to each client’s circumstances. With 30 years’ experience in commercial law matters, we can help you understand your options and take the next appropriate step.
How We Can Help
Our Contract and Commercial Law services may include:
- Reviewing commercial contracts before they are signed.
- Drafting contracts and business agreements.
- Advising on contract terms, obligations, risks and termination rights.
- Company incorporation and restructuring.
- Business purchases, sales, mergers and acquisitions.
- Due diligence and risk management.
- Partnership and joint venture agreements.
- Commercial, licence, confidentiality and franchise agreements.
- Business succession planning.
- Advice about alleged breach of contract and commercial disputes.
- Debt recovery and related business disputes.
Commercial Contract Review
A commercial contract can affect payment, delivery, liability, intellectual property, confidentiality, termination rights and the way a dispute is handled. Before you sign, it is important to understand what the agreement requires and where the main commercial and legal risks may sit.
Henry Street Law can review a proposed agreement, explain its practical effect and identify clauses that may need clarification or negotiation. The advice will depend on the contract, the transaction and your business objectives.
What We May Review
- The parties and their respective obligations.
- Price, payment terms, variations and late-payment consequences.
- Delivery, service standards and performance requirements.
- Contract duration, renewal and termination rights.
- Liability, indemnity, warranty and insurance provisions.
- Confidentiality and intellectual property terms.
- Default, breach and dispute-resolution clauses.
- Restraint or exclusivity clauses, where relevant.
Contract Drafting and Commercial Agreements
A standard template may not reflect the way your business operates, the risks of the transaction or the obligations the parties have agreed. A properly drafted agreement should set out the commercial arrangement clearly and provide a practical process if circumstances change or a dispute arises.
Henry Street Law can prepare or update commercial agreements based on your instructions and the needs of the transaction.
Agreements We May Assist With
- Client and supplier agreements.
- Service agreements and terms of trade.
- Distribution agreements.
- Partnership and joint venture agreements.
- Commercial and licence agreements.
- Confidentiality agreements and Deeds of Confidentiality.
- Franchise agreements.
- Other agreements connected with the purchase, sale or operation of a business.
When to Seek Commercial Legal Advice
You may wish to obtain commercial legal advice when:
- You have received a contract and are unsure about its terms or risks.
- Your business needs an agreement tailored to a new client, supplier or commercial arrangement.
- You are entering a partnership, joint venture, franchise or licence arrangement.
- You are buying, selling or restructuring a business.
- Another party says that you have breached an agreement.
- The other party has not met its obligations.
- Payment is overdue or a commercial disagreement is developing.
- You want to update existing agreements before a problem arises.
Business Transactions and Structuring
Commercial legal advice may also be required when a company or business is established, acquired, sold or restructured. Depending on the matter, this may involve company incorporation, due diligence, directors’ duties, risk management, transaction documents, business succession planning or other commercial arrangements.
The Business Law page will continue to provide the more detailed information about buying, selling and restructuring a business.
Breach of Contract and Commercial Disputes
A contract dispute may arise when one party does not perform an obligation, payment is not made, goods or services do not meet the agreed requirements, or the parties disagree about what the contract means.
The first step is usually to review the agreement, the surrounding documents and what has occurred. Henry Street Law can advise on the available options, including correspondence, negotiation, alternative dispute resolution and formal legal proceedings where appropriate.
Where the issue concerns an unpaid business debt, the dedicated Debt Recovery page provides more detailed information about that process.
What to Expect
1. Initial discussion
We discuss the business, the proposed transaction or agreement, the issue you are facing and the outcome you want to achieve.
2. Document and information review
We review the relevant contract, correspondence and background information and identify any further material that may be needed.
3. Advice and options
We explain the main legal and commercial issues, the available options and the practical considerations relevant to the matter.
4. Drafting, review or negotiation
Depending on the matter, we prepare or revise the agreement, suggest changes, assist with negotiations or advise on the response to a dispute.
5. Finalisation and next steps
We help finalise the documents or outline the next steps required to progress or resolve the matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
A legal review can help you understand the obligations, payment terms, liability, termination rights and dispute provisions before you commit. Whether a review is appropriate will depend on the value, risk and complexity of the agreement.
Yes, subject to the type of agreement and the services confirmed above. We can discuss the commercial arrangement and prepare or update an agreement to reflect your instructions and circumstances.
Keep the agreement, correspondence, invoices and other relevant records, and obtain advice before ending the contract or taking formal action. The appropriate response will depend on the contract terms, what has occurred and the outcome you are seeking.
Subject to confirmation of the service scope, Henry Street Law can assist with partnership and joint venture agreements. These agreements may address responsibilities, contributions, decision-making, profit arrangements, dispute procedures and what happens if a party leaves.
Speak With a Commercial & Contract Lawyer
Clear commercial agreements and timely advice can help a business understand its obligations, manage risk and respond appropriately when an issue arises. Speak with Henry Street Law about the contract, transaction or commercial matter relevant to your business.
Call (03) 5181 6363 or send us a web enquiry to arrange an appointment with our Traralgon office.
