Business

Whether you are establishing, buying or selling a business, organising finance, or dealing with leases, we can help you by offering cost-effective practical advice, with prompt and efficient support.

Our lawyers advise on a diverse range of business matters, such as the most effective ownership structure, the appropriate structure for company constitutions, shareholder agreements, joint venture agreements, intellectual property protection, licensing, terms of trade, ownership succession arrangements and franchising.

Find out how we can help you with:

• Buying and Selling a Business

  • We can help you with the complexities of buying or selling a business. Our lawyers can advise on funding, the best structure for the business, dealing with occupancy and lease issues as well as ensuring the appropriate contractual protections are in place for you.

• Buying and Selling Commercial Property

  • Our lawyers can advise on funding, ownership structure and ensuring your rights as the property owner are adequately protected. 

• Company Formation and Restructuring

  • Companies can be structured in a number of different ways depending on the number and type of investors or shareholders involved.  As well as the various options available under the Companies Act, we can advise you on shareholders’ agreements to regulate the company’s operation and management.  Talk with us early on so our lawyers can tailor your company structure to your specific needs.

• Effective Business Structures

  • Choosing a business structure which is effective and works in with your personal situation requires specialist advice.  Commonly used business structures include trusts, partnerships, companies and sole traders.  Our lawyers provide advice on the options available to you and make recommendations on the most suitable structure for your circumstances.

• Financing and Securities

  • Ensuring appropriate financing and security arrangements are in place is important for both individuals and businesses.  In addition to the preparation of loan and security documentation, our lawyers will help you ensure that your security structures are relevant to you and meet your needs. 

• Commercial Leasing

  • Commercial leases create long term obligations and it is important that you understand the extent and nature of those obligations.  While most commercial leases are recorded using standard form documentation, there are situations where those obligations require modification or a different form of lease should be used.  Our lawyers can work with you on proposed lease documents or prepare a more appropriate form of lease for you.

• Franchising

  • Franchising is a complex area of law. The quality of franchise systems operating in New Zealand can vary greatly and there are some pitfalls for the unwary. Franchise documents are generally lengthy and the content can vary markedly. We have a specialist franchising partner who can advise you whether you are a prospective franchisee or are seeking to franchise your business idea. It is essential that specialist advice is obtained before entering into a franchise agreement.

• Joint Ventures

  • A joint venture involves two unrelated parties coming together for a specific business venture.  It is important that the interests of the individual partners are protected, and that the duties and responsibilities of each party are accurately identified and recorded.  These matters are usually covered in a joint venture agreement or shareholders’ agreement. Getting this foundation right is critical to the success of any joint venture arrangement.  We can provide you with advice at any stage of your joint venture.