Business law
When should an SME engage a business lawyer in Queensland?
Making a business commitment? Makin Advisory can help you understand the legal risks, decide what matters and put workable agreements in place before the decision becomes difficult to reverse.
Is this the help you need?
For founders and established SMEs entering contracts, taking premises, bringing in an owner or changing how the business operates.
How Makin Advisory can assist
Review customer, supplier and commercial contracts against your business model.
Draft agreements that explain scope, payment and responsibility.
Advise on ownership and control arrangements alongside your accounting advice.
Identify connected risks across leases, guarantees and contractor arrangements.
Help prepare negotiation priorities and plan termination or a business exit.
What a review involves
Start with the decision you need to make, your deadline and the complete documents. Include schedules, quotes, side letters and promises made by email. We can discuss whether drafting, a focused review or negotiation support best fits the task, then agree the work to be undertaken.
Discuss your business agreement
Decisions worth getting right
A short contract can create a long commitment. Personal guarantees, exclusivity and automatic renewals deserve attention because they can narrow your future choices even where the initial price is modest. Prioritise exposure, dependency and reversibility rather than reviewing every clause with equal intensity.
Connected agreements need to work together. If a customer expects ownership of a deliverable but your contractor gives only limited permission to use it, the business may promise more than it can supply. Reviewing the whole transaction helps identify that mismatch before delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need drafting or a review?
Drafting suits a new arrangement where you control the document. Review suits terms supplied by another party. Tell us which documents exist and what you want to achieve so we can discuss the appropriate scope.
When should I seek advice?
Before signing, paying a non-refundable amount or making commitments that depend on the deal. Advice can still help later, but your negotiating options may be narrower.
Can I use a template?
A template may be a starting point, not a check that the arrangement fits your business. Scope, statutory rights, ownership and exit provisions need to match what actually happens.
Can you help if the other party will not negotiate?
We can help you understand the offered risk and compare your options. These may include accepting a documented risk, changing the commercial arrangement or not proceeding; advice cannot force the other party to change its terms.
Does incorporation remove personal risk?
Not every personal obligation disappears when a company is formed. A separately signed guarantee and obligations under other rules need their own assessment.
What affects the cost of this work?
Fees depend on the agreed scope, complexity and document volume. Enquire with the documents available and your deadline so we can discuss the work required and its cost before you decide to proceed.
Official resources
official contract preparation guidance
Related help
contractor agreements and customer terms guide
Take the next step
Makin Advisory serves Gold Coast and Brisbane clients remotely and in person by appointment. Tell us what you need help with and any relevant deadline; prefer no sensitive documents at first enquiry.
Tell us what you need help with
Tell us briefly what you need help with and any relevant deadline. Please do not include sensitive documents in your initial enquiry.