Business & Company Law
Commercial advice that helps your business succeed
Starting a business and running one are daunting tasks.
On the one hand, you want to carefully manage your cash-flow, ensuring you aren't spending hard earned money on unnecessary legal advice.
On the other hand you know that getting good commercial advice about your structure, operations, terms and collection process can make the difference between a business that succeeds and one that doesn't.
Quinn & Quinn can help you find the right balance.
We'll be the first to tell you if we don't think you need to chase down a particular legal avenue, but we'll also be up front if we think you're avoiding an important topic that could make a real difference.
Key areas we can help
Some key areas we can help businesses and corporations include:
- Leasing and commercial — leasing a commercial tenancy or buying/selling a business require a careful analysis of any proposed contracts or lease documents, and a proper due diligence to ensure you know what you're getting into. We can help you navigate the entire process.
- Structuring advice — we can work with your accountants to ensure that your legal structures are right from the outset, ensuring that you understand how they work and where your risks are. The right structure finds a practical balance between protecting you from personal risk, managing your tax liabilities appropriately, and giving you a sensible way to either bring on partners or investors, or exit the business down the track if that's your intention.
- Operations advice — each business has a slightly different need from the next when it comes to day-to-day trading. But for most, a simple suite of core documents will help your business get off to the right start. That might include employment contracts, trade terms, licensing documents or privacy policies. We can help you understand what you need and deliver it to you.
- Disputes — unfortunately while your obvious goal will be not to get into significant disputes, sometimes it can't be avoided. As we set out in our commercial litigation section, we can help your business get through the other side of a dispute and back to normal day to day operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
The right structure depends on your circumstances, including the nature of the business, the number of owners, your appetite for risk and your tax position. Common structures include sole trader, partnership, company and trust, or combinations of these. We work with your accountant to find the right balance between asset protection, tax efficiency and simplicity.
If your business supplies goods or services on credit, then yes. Clear terms of trade set out when payment is due, what happens if a customer does not pay, and who bears the risk of loss or damage. Without them, recovering debts becomes significantly harder and more expensive.
Ideally before you start trading, so your structures and core documents are right from day one. But if you are already operating, it is never too late to get your legal house in order. Key trigger points include taking on a lease, hiring employees, entering a significant contract, or bringing on a business partner.
Why Choose Quinn & Quinn
Commercially Focused
We understand that legal advice needs to make commercial sense. We will not send you down a path that costs more than the problem is worth.
Works With Your Advisors
We collaborate with your accountants, bookkeepers and other professionals to ensure your structures and documents work together.
Local Brighton Practice
Based in Brighton, we know the local business community and can meet face-to-face when it matters.
Honest & Direct
We will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. If you do not need a lawyer for something, we will say so.
How We Work
Initial Discussion
We sit down with you to understand your business, your goals and what keeps you up at night so we can focus on what actually matters.
Targeted Advice
We identify the key legal areas that need attention and give you a practical plan, whether that is structuring, contracts, trade terms or a combination.
Deliver & Support
We prepare the documents you need and remain available as your business grows, so you have a trusted legal advisor you can call when new issues arise.
Expanded Capability
Your network of trusted advisors
As part of the Sather Legal Group, Quinn & Quinn Lawyers clients can access specialist advice across multiple practice areas without leaving the network. One relationship, broader expertise.