Business Disputes often arise between business owners, shareholders, directors, or partners. The disputes involve persons who are commercially and legally bound together. These matters often tie into legal duties, financial entitlements, and reputational interests in commercial relationships.
Citilawyers acts in business disputes across Sydney and New South Wales. We work to resolve matters commercially where possible and protect our clients’ interests when formal legal action becomes necessary. Our civil and commercial litigation lawyers represent both plaintiffs and defendants in NSW courts.
A business dispute occurs when there is a disagreement between parties who share a legal or commercial interest in a business.
Parties involved in business disputes usually have ongoing legal obligations owed to each other. Legal obligations may include fiduciary duties, statutory duties, shareholder rights, or partnership obligations.
Business disputes commonly involve allegations of a:
Types of Business Disputes We Handle
A joint venture arises when there is an agreement between two or more people who work together for a specific business project. A joint venture includes a legally binding contract that provides an outline of the shared obligations and liabilities. There are two forms of a joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated:
Disputes generally arise in relation to:
Directors’ and officers’ owe a variety of duties and obligations under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). Business disputes often arise when there is a breach of a duty, such as a directors’ duty.
See Corporate Governance Lawyers for more information.
Shareholder disputes can impact the commercial relationship between members and the company. Understanding the potential conflicts that can arise and the benefits of implementing a Shareholders Agreement can assist in managing disputes.
See Shareholder Dispute Lawyers for more information.
Partnership disputes generally arise when there is a breach of an obligation or fiduciary duty that is owed under a Partnership Agreement.
See Partnership Dispute Lawyers for more information.
Disputes can arise when there are disagreements or breaches under a contract. It is important to be aware of what can be done to handle the existing conflict and to minimise the risk of any future issues.
See Contract Commercial Disputes Lawyers for more information.
For the full range of commercial law services we provide, including contract drafting, business sales, and commercial negotiations, see our commercial lawyers page.
Business disputes do not need to progress to litigation to be resolved. Citilawyers assesses the strength of the claim, available remedies and the commercial viability.
The use of ‘without prejudice’ concerning correspondence keeps the negotiations confidential when settlement discussions are made to resolve the dispute. When offers are made by a party in a genuine attempt at settlement, the use of ‘without prejudice’ means that the offer cannot be used as evidence against you in court if negotiations fail.
Mediation and arbitration are two of the most common forms of dispute resolution that can be utilised in business dispute matters. It is important to businesses that speed and expertise are exercised by the legal professionals assisting with a dispute. Dispute resolution offers a more efficient and cost-effective mechanism, as opposed to litigation, to resolve an issue.
Before commencing court proceedings, mediation can often resolve business disputes more quickly and cost-effectively. See our guide to mediation as an alternative to litigation.
If the business dispute cannot be resolved through dispute resolution, the matter may proceed to litigation.
Our business disputes lawyers act for businesses throughout Sydney and across New South Wales, including Parramatta, Chatswood, North Sydney, Liverpool, Penrith, Ryde, Bondi Junction, Inner West, Sutherland Shire, Hornsby, Burwood, Bankstown, Manly, and Newtown, as well as clients in regional NSW.
Most business disputes are managed through negotiation and mediation conducted remotely by phone, email, and video conference, with court or NCAT appearances where required across the Sydney metropolitan area.
Citilawyers provides legal solutions that address your commercial needs and individual interests that commonly arise in business disputes. Our team delivers strategic and practical advice to resolve conflicts and minimise operational disruptions to the business wherever possible.
If you are currently involved in a business dispute, Citilawyers can assist you in each stage of the process, through to a resolution. Contact us online or call (02) 9233 7737.
Business Disputes often arise between business owners, shareholders, directors, or partners. The disputes involve persons who are commercially and legally bound together. These matters often tie into legal duties, financial entitlements, and reputational interests in commercial relationships.
Citilawyers acts in business disputes across Sydney and New South Wales. We work to resolve matters commercially where possible and protect our clients’ interests when formal legal action becomes necessary. Our civil and commercial litigation lawyers represent both plaintiffs and defendants in NSW courts.
A business dispute occurs when there is a disagreement between parties who share a legal or commercial interest in a business.
Parties involved in business disputes usually have ongoing legal obligations owed to each other. Legal obligations may include fiduciary duties, statutory duties, shareholder rights, or partnership obligations.
Business disputes commonly involve allegations of a:
Types of Business Disputes We Handle
A joint venture arises when there is an agreement between two or more people who work together for a specific business project. A joint venture includes a legally binding contract that provides an outline of the shared obligations and liabilities. There are two forms of a joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated:
Disputes generally arise in relation to:
Directors’ and officers’ owe a variety of duties and obligations under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). Business disputes often arise when there is a breach of a duty, such as a directors’ duty.
See Corporate Governance Lawyers for more information.
Shareholder disputes can impact the commercial relationship between members and the company. Understanding the potential conflicts that can arise and the benefits of implementing a Shareholders Agreement can assist in managing disputes.
See Shareholder Dispute Lawyers for more information.
Partnership disputes generally arise when there is a breach of an obligation or fiduciary duty that is owed under a Partnership Agreement.
See Partnership Dispute Lawyers for more information.
Disputes can arise when there are disagreements or breaches under a contract. It is important to be aware of what can be done to handle the existing conflict and to minimise the risk of any future issues.
See Contract Commercial Disputes Lawyers for more information.
For the full range of commercial law services we provide, including contract drafting, business sales, and commercial negotiations, see our commercial lawyers page.
Business disputes do not need to progress to litigation to be resolved. Citilawyers assesses the strength of the claim, available remedies and the commercial viability.
The use of ‘without prejudice’ concerning correspondence keeps the negotiations confidential when settlement discussions are made to resolve the dispute. When offers are made by a party in a genuine attempt at settlement, the use of ‘without prejudice’ means that the offer cannot be used as evidence against you in court if negotiations fail.
Mediation and arbitration are two of the most common forms of dispute resolution that can be utilised in business dispute matters. It is important to businesses that speed and expertise are exercised by the legal professionals assisting with a dispute. Dispute resolution offers a more efficient and cost-effective mechanism, as opposed to litigation, to resolve an issue.
Before commencing court proceedings, mediation can often resolve business disputes more quickly and cost-effectively. See our guide to mediation as an alternative to litigation.
If the business dispute cannot be resolved through dispute resolution, the matter may proceed to litigation.
Our business disputes lawyers act for businesses throughout Sydney and across New South Wales, including Parramatta, Chatswood, North Sydney, Liverpool, Penrith, Ryde, Bondi Junction, Inner West, Sutherland Shire, Hornsby, Burwood, Bankstown, Manly, and Newtown, as well as clients in regional NSW.
Most business disputes are managed through negotiation and mediation conducted remotely by phone, email, and video conference, with court or NCAT appearances where required across the Sydney metropolitan area.
Citilawyers provides legal solutions that address your commercial needs and individual interests that commonly arise in business disputes. Our team delivers strategic and practical advice to resolve conflicts and minimise operational disruptions to the business wherever possible.
If you are currently involved in a business dispute, Citilawyers can assist you in each stage of the process, through to a resolution. Contact us online or call (02) 9233 7737.
A commercial dispute involves a disagreement between parties in a business context that is often between parties transacting at arm’s length. A business dispute involves parties who share a legal and commercial interest in the same business (shareholders, directors, partners, franchisees). Business disputes typically involve ongoing fiduciary or statutory duties, which can become legally and individually complex.
If the conduct of the business partner is in breach of a partnership agreement, directors’ duty, or fiduciary obligation, then a cause of action may be available. Possible remedies include an account of profits, equitable compensation, an injunction, or in serious cases, termination of the partnership or winding up of the company. It is important to seek advice early to prepare a case to seek an appropriate remedy. For issues that are specific to partnerships, see our partnership disputes lawyers page.
Whilst there is no set timeframe for the period by which a matter may be settled, business disputes may be resolved within 3 to 12 months through negotiation or mediation. Court proceedings typically take 12 to 24 months from filing to final hearing. Urgent injunctive relief can usually be obtained within days or weeks.
No. Even without a written agreement, parties have rights under the Partnership Act 1892 (NSW), the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), and the general law of fiduciary duty. A written agreement makes the claim easier to prove, but its absence is not always detrimental to a claim. See our partnership disputes lawyers page for more information.
Resolution time depends on the approach taken. Many business disputes resolve within weeks through negotiation or mediation, particularly where both parties want to preserve the commercial relationship. Where a matter proceeds to court, Local Court proceedings typically take 6 to 12 months, and District Court matters 12 to 18 months. We always assess whether a faster, lower-cost resolution is available before recommending litigation.
