Business & Corporate Law
Commercial disputes need decisive legal action.
Breach of contract, unpaid invoices, partnership breakdowns, and director disputes can destroy years of business value if left unresolved. Submit your request and get connected with a commercial litigation lawyer who will assess your position and advise on the most effective path to resolution.
⚠ Limitation periods for commercial claims are typically 6 years from the date of the breach — and debts can become harder to recover the longer they sit — submit your request now.
Does This Sound Like You?
Common situations we help with.
Your business partner is acting against your interests
A co-owner, director, or business partner is making decisions without your consent, diverting business opportunities, or breaching their duties — and the relationship has broken down beyond repair.
A customer refuses to pay a legitimate invoice
You delivered goods or services and issued a valid invoice, but the customer is withholding payment, disputing the amount, or simply not responding to your follow-ups.
A supplier breached their contract and caused you loss
A supplier failed to deliver on time, provided defective goods, or breached a key contractual obligation — and the breach has cost your business money in lost sales, remediation, or reputational damage.
A director is acting against the company's interests
A director is misusing company funds, making self-interested decisions without disclosure, competing with the company, or breaching their statutory duties under the Corporations Act 2001.
A competitor is poaching your clients or staff using your IP
A former employee or competitor is approaching your clients, using your confidential information, or operating in breach of a restraint of trade clause that was meant to protect your business.
A business debt is going stale and you're not sure what to do
Another business owes you money and has been stringing you along. You're concerned about the limitation period and want to understand whether a letter of demand, court proceedings, or statutory demand is the right next step.
How It Works
One request. The right commercial litigation lawyer.
Describe the dispute in plain language — you don't need to know the legal pathway. A commercial litigation lawyer will review your matter, assess the merits, and advise on the most cost-effective approach to resolution.
Submit Your Business Dispute RequestSubmit your request
Describe the dispute, the parties involved, the amount at stake, and any deadlines or notices already issued. Include your state and whether proceedings have commenced.
Dispute assessed and matched
Your matter is reviewed for urgency, jurisdiction, and dispute type so it can be matched with a commercial litigation lawyer who handles your specific issue.
Legal advice and strategy
A commercial lawyer contacts you to discuss the merits, your options — from letters of demand through to court proceedings — and what resolution is realistically achievable.
Act Early
Early legal intervention — a well-drafted letter of demand — resolves many commercial disputes before court proceedings become necessary
All 8 States
Requests matched to specialist commercial litigation lawyers across every state and territory in Australia
Free
Initial consultation — understand your rights and options before committing to any action
6 Years
Standard limitation period for most commercial contract claims in Australia — don't let time run against you
Before You Act
Practical questions about business disputes and litigation.
What pre-litigation steps should I take before going to court? +
In most Australian jurisdictions, courts expect parties to make genuine attempts to resolve disputes before commencing proceedings. A solicitor's letter of demand is usually the first formal step — it puts the other party on notice, establishes a paper trail, and often prompts settlement. For larger matters, mediation or conciliation may be required or strongly advisable before filing. Your lawyer will advise on the most appropriate pre-litigation approach for your specific dispute.
Is litigation worth it? How do I assess the cost-benefit? +
Whether litigation is commercially worthwhile depends on the amount in dispute, the strength of your claim, the financial capacity of the other party to pay any judgment, and the likely legal costs. A commercial lawyer will give you a candid assessment of merits, estimated costs at each stage, and the realistic range of outcomes. Many matters settle well before trial — often after a letter of demand or following the exchange of evidence.
What is commercial arbitration and when is it better than going to court? +
Commercial arbitration is a private dispute resolution process where an independent arbitrator (often a retired judge or senior barrister) hears the dispute and issues a binding award. It is faster and more confidential than court proceedings, and arbitration awards are enforceable under the Commercial Arbitration Acts in each state. Many commercial contracts include arbitration clauses that require parties to arbitrate rather than litigate — your lawyer can advise whether your contract requires arbitration and what that process involves.
Can I bring a claim for breach of director's duties? +
Yes. Directors of Australian companies owe statutory duties under the Corporations Act 2001 — including duties to act in good faith, avoid conflicts of interest, not use their position for personal gain, and act with care and diligence. Where a director has breached these duties and caused loss to the company, shareholders or the company itself can bring a claim for compensation. Derivative actions under section 236 of the Corporations Act allow minority shareholders to bring proceedings on the company's behalf in certain circumstances.
What is the limitation period for commercial claims in Australia? +
The standard limitation period for contract-based commercial claims is 6 years from the date the cause of action accrues (typically the date of breach) in most Australian states. For claims based on deeds, the period is 12 years. Some states have different rules for personal injury, fraud, or latent damage claims. Once the limitation period expires, the claim is statute-barred. If your dispute is approaching 6 years old, seek legal advice immediately.
How do I enforce a court judgment against another business? +
Obtaining a judgment is only the first step — enforcing it is often the harder task. Enforcement options include garnishment of bank accounts, examination of the debtor's financial position, seizure and sale of assets, and in the case of a corporate debtor, issuing a statutory demand under the Corporations Act (which can lead to winding up proceedings if unpaid within 21 days). A lawyer can advise on the most effective enforcement strategy based on what you know about the debtor's assets and financial position.
Have a question not covered here? Submit your request and a commercial lawyer will be in touch.
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