Clear the commercial law minefield

Commercial law covers the legal rights and obligations involved in setting up and running a business, including commerce, property, contracts, financial matters and consumer transactions.

As a commercial client you need pragmatic, straight-talking advice. Turner Freeman’s half-century of business experience gives you the benefit of sound advice tempered with real-world practicalities.

Your organisation is as unique as you, so we work hard to tailor our advice accordingly. We’ll tell you what you need to know, recommend a course of action, then implement it for you so you can get on with running your business.

Below are the many areas of commercial law we cover. If you’d like to know more, please feel free to call us.

Business and commercial practice areas

Business Structuring
Mergers and Acquisitions
Property and Planning
Contracts
Employment Law and Industrial Relations
Corporate Governance and Competition Law
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Financial Services Advice
Revenue Advice and Taxation
Insolvency and Debt Recovery
Intellectual Property
Information Technology
International Sale of Goods
Registered Clubs and Licensing
Sports, Entertainment and Leisure
Aviation

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Business Structuring: firm foundations
Restructuring your business can be fraught with complexity—especially when you have a listed enterprise and a large number of creditors. To ensure a smooth transition you need the varied skills and intricate knowledge of Turner Freeman’s experts.

We have considerable experience in corporate restructuring and thorough, up-to-date knowledge of commercial law to expedite your progress.

Mergers and Acquisitions: smooth the way
When you’re involved in a merger or acquisition you must be completely up-to-speed with the latest information and legal developments. Turner Freeman’s commercial team has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions and can provide cost-effective advice on:

Bid strategies for full and partial acquisitions
Tax
Employment law
Transactions
Other issues of corporate restructuring

Property and Planning: advice, advice, advice
If you’re about to buy or sell property or land, you should protect yourself with good advice on the legal aspects of the deal. Turner Freeman’s property planning service will tell you everything you need to know about:

Residential and commercial conveyancing

Planning

Business sales

Leases

Property development

Related financial matters

We can also advise you if you’re dealing with construction and property development projects. Our commercial team can give you concise and effective advice on drafting and negotiating contracts for major building projects, including engineering and architectural design work.

You’ll also benefit from our wealth of experience in dispute-avoidance and resolution, as well as advice on:

Day-to-day property maintenance requirements such as security and maintenance contracts
Supply and installation agreements
Building works and service agreements

Contracts: put it in writing
A considered and well-written contract can save you time, stress and money by avoiding future disputes and litigation. Our commercial team will help you produce clear, workable contracts and negotiate effectively on your behalf should a dispute arise.

If you are sued, our highly proficient litigation lawyers will work with you towards a favourable outcome to minimise the negative impact on your business.

Employment Law and Industrial Relations: working together
Whether an employer or employee, you need up-to-date advice on workplace legislation and the laws covering employment and industrial relations, to make sure your operations are fair, safe and lawful.

Our accredited and highly experienced employment and industrial law specialists can advise you on all aspects of workplace legislation, from compliance with regulations to handling disputes. We are experts on advice and litigation for disputes relating to:

Occupational health and safety
Harassment
Contracts
Dismissal
Discrimination
All other employment laws

Corporate Governance and Competition Law: know your rights
As a shareholder, secretary of an organisation, committee member or director of a public company, the law requires you to be aware of changes in legislation and in your responsibilities. We understand that keeping up with these changes is not easy.

Turner Freeman provides up-to-date advice and guidance on corporate, employment, anti-discrimination and environmental laws. We tailor our advice to your needs in all aspects of:

Corporate governance
Marketing practices
Risk management
Mergers and acquisitions
Capital or group restructurings
Financial transactions

We can also advise you of the implications of your business activities in relation to trade practices, and fight for your rights against competitors’ unlawful or damaging activity.

Our commercial team advises Australian and international companies on competition policy initiatives, franchising, trade practices compliance and other legislative matters.

Litigation and Dispute Resolution: resolve to resolve
Commercial litigation disputes can and have put companies out of business, so it makes sense to retain a well-regarded law firm that will give you insightful and reliable advice.

Turner Freeman have a proven record of successful litigation and dispute resolution over 50 years. Our experienced and highly skilled team of lawyers will work to understand your business needs and minimise the impact of litigation. We will pursue a favourable outcome for you, with the commercial realities of your business in mind.

Financial Services Advice: a wise investment
The reform of Australia’s banking and finance legislation and regulations have considerably changed the financial services landscape.

Legislative reforms—such as the overhaul of the Corporations Act—have made it imperative for businesses to be stay abreast of these changes or risk significant penalties. Our banking and finance lawyers can advise you on a wide range of financial matters, helping you make sound decisions that will impact your business far into the future.

With comprehensive experience in banking and finance, financial services regulation, funds management, insurance, securities and superannuation, our commercial lawyers can advise you on the best strategy for you to meet both your short- and long-term business goals.

Revenue Advice and Taxation: peace of mind
Keeping up with the latest Australian tax regulations can be a full-time job. You need professional advice to help you pay as little as possible while retaining peace of mind.

Our commercial team will not only advise you on your revenue and taxation liabilities (including GST, income tax and superannuation) but also how to best structure your business or investment activity to help you make the most of every dollar earned.

Insolvency and Debt Recovery: back in the black
Resolving matters of corporate or personal insolvency often requires expert legal advice. Turner Freeman’s commercial team helps insolvency practitioners, secured lenders, receivers and administrators and bankruptcy trustees to administer such matters with confidence.

We also have an excellent track-record in helping our commercial clients handle the effects of financial problems, and efficiently recover debts on their behalf.

Intellectual Property: make your mark
When business has boomed as a result of your idea, you need to take steps to protect it. Make sure you consult expert advice on intellectual property (IP) law. Turner Freeman can give you all the practical advice and guidance you need on brand protection strategies, copyright, trademarks, patents, advertising and unfair competition.

Information Technology: stay switched on
Your business relies on information and communications technology every day, but are you aware of your legal obligations? Our experienced legal team can give you smart, practical advice and guidance on all technology transactions, including software licensing, resolution of technology disputes, and general commercial advice in relation to technology.

International Sale of Goods: broaden your horizons
If your business is growing and you’re ready to take on the world, you need legal advice more than ever. Our international trade lawyers and their expert contacts with specialist firms will keep you up to date with international business developments, especially the regulation of trade in goods and services that affects imports and exports to and from your country.

The Turner Freeman team will help you be aware of local and foreign commercial tax and financial practices. We’ll also give you practical advice on breaking into and dealing with overseas markets, and the impact of international trade agreements and legislation.

Registered Clubs and Licensing: know the rules
To protect their licenses, club operators must be aware of the ever-changing legislation and how it can affect their activities. Turner Freeman has over 25 years experience in this area of law and is the trusted advisor to many clubs on all aspects of their activity, including:

Gaming
Liquor licensing
Club amalgamations
Venue acquisitions, leasing and licensing
Corporate governance
Related employment and commercial matters

Sports, Entertainment and Leisure: we’re on your team
Registered sports clubs can benefit from our complete commercial service, including advice in specialised areas such as naming rights, leasing and related contracts.

Having acted for a number of large sporting bodies over many years, our commercial team has extensive knowledge of the industry. As a leading advisor in industrial relations we can also assist sporting organisations with proactive advice that will help avoid unnecessary claims.

Aviation: safety in the skies
Turner Freeman has over 20 years’ experience helping aviation companies adhere to aviation law.

We provide practical advice on issues such as insurance and maintenance of aircraft, and the ownership and management of their components.

We can also represent you reliably and efficiently in regard to accident inquiries, litigation and dispute resolution.

Our clients: home and abroad

Turner Freeman’s Commercial Team gives advice to Australian and international companies, state-owned enterprises and government organisations.

We represent:

Financial institutions
Insurance companies
Administrators and liquidators
Statutory authorities
Airlines
Registered clubs
Sporting organisations
Universities
Large and small foreign companies
Small- and medium-sized businesses
Private clients
Family businesses
Farmers

Business and commercial law client testimonials

Avibe Pty Ltd

“The key difference with the service provided by Turner Freeman is the communication, honesty, integrity, customer service and treatment as a unique entity, not a number.

The service provided by Turner Freeman is unique and the value for money is beyond comparison. I would recommend Turner Freeman to anyone in business.“

Mrs Kim Burke - Avibe Group

Turner Freeman has worked with Avibe Pty Ltd on a variety of matters relating to property development, corporation litigation, employment law and joint venture agreements.

The Cancer Council

“What I most appreciate about the firm is the accessibility of senior partners, the emphasis on common-sense solutions, their ability to keep our organisation’s business and strategic interest in focus, and their ability to find least cost solutions.”

Andrew Penman - CEO, The Cancer Council

Turner Freeman has been the Cancer Council’s solicitor for many years and has delivered a full range of legal services to them, from the drafting of company documents to representation in court in litigation matters.

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Personal service you deserve: a refreshing change

We recognise that your business and situation is like no other, so before we even attempt a solution we thoroughly investigate every element with you.

You will also have direct access to our partners, who will treat you as if you were our only client.

More than that, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how we take every aspect of your business—current and planned—into account when presenting advice to you.

Because we want you as a long-term customer, we’re committed to tailoring legal solutions to you so your business grows and prospers.

Unlike other law firms, our half-century of business experience helps us understand your needs and give you proactive advice that works. And with a comprehensive range of practice areas we can handle all your legal needs under one roof.

Further information

If you’d like more information on your commercial law matter, apart from contacting us the following organisations may be able to help you:

For general information about commercial law matters and the commercial world:

Australian Law Online website:
www.law.gov.au
Australasian Legal Information Institute website:
www.austlii.edu.au

For information about corporate matters or products:

Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC): Tel. 1300 300 630 or
www.asic.gov.au

For further information on financial matters:

Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA): Tel. 1300 13 1060 or
www.apra.gov.au
Level 26, 400 George Street, Sydney, 2000