BUSINESS & COMMERCIAL LAW
Business and commercial lawyers in Christchurch. Practical advice for your next move.
Protect your position before committing
Our Christchurch business lawyers advise on commercial contracts, business sales and purchases, shareholder arrangements, asset protection and trading risks. We help business owners understand obligations, negotiate terms and make informed decisions before commitments become costly.
How can we help your business?
Commercial legal needs do not always begin with a document. Start with the business decision you are trying to make.
Starting, structuring or protecting a business
Structures · Shareholders · Asset protection · Governance
Signing, negotiating or trading
Contracts · Negotiation · Terms of trade
Borrowing, lending or giving security
Finance · Guarantees · Securities · PPSR
Buying, selling or exiting a business
Buying · Selling · Due diligence · Exit
Business & commercial services
Asset protection & business structuring
Finance, securities & guarantees
Terms of trade & trading protection
Commercial contracts & negotiation
Sale & purchase of businesses
People who can help
Talk directly with people who understand business structures, transactions, property, finance and commercial risk.
Talk to us first.
Commercial problems are usually cheaper and easier to manage before a contract is signed, a guarantee is given or a transaction structure is fixed. Talk to us first, while there is still room to negotiate and protect your position.
Early advice can protect leverage and reduce expensive surprises later.
Early advice can help you…
- choose the right ownership and governance structure
- understand guarantees, securities and liability exposure
- strengthen commercial terms before committing
- identify issues before buying, selling or restructuring a business
Useful insights for business owners.
Practical guidance on commercial agreements, governance, business risk, transactions and structuring.
How did you get my details?
Company under financial pressure: what should directors do before taking on more debt?
IPP3A privacy notices: what must NZ businesses do when information comes from someone else?
Starting a business after 50: what legal decisions should you make first?
Digital identity in New Zealand: what should your business check before using a provider?
Protecting cash flow: what should your business payment terms cover?
Incorporated society or charitable trust board: which structure fits your group?
Facial recognition and biometrics: what New Zealand businesses need to check
Property joint ventures in New Zealand: agree the risks before you buy
Customer won’t pay an invoice? Your debt recovery options in New Zealand
Self-service, AI and consumer rights: Who carries the risk when technology goes wrong?
AI and DIY legal documents in New Zealand: When does legal advice still matter?
MAJOR REFORMS: THE COMPANIES ACT OVERHAUL
Rushed credit legislation leads to new lending requirements
New Privacy Act Changes Now in Place
Smart Contracts: The way of the future for New Zealand business?
Better contracts. Better protection. Better outcomes.
If you are starting, growing, restructuring, buying or selling a business, speak with our team before the paperwork locks the decision in.
Phone: +64 3 377 0792
Send enquiry.
Frequently asked questions.
Review it when ownership changes, new shareholders join, debt or asset exposure increases, or you are planning a significant transaction or exit.
A personal guarantee can expose personal assets if the business cannot meet its obligations. The scope and consequences should be understood before signing.
Where there is more than one owner, clear arrangements around governance, decision-making, funding, transfers and exits can substantially reduce uncertainty and disputes.
Ideally, yes. Once signed, the agreement may lock in obligations, liability, termination rights and risk allocation that are difficult to change later.
A purchase commonly involves due diligence, the sale agreement, finance, leases, warranties, employees, assets and the structure of the transaction.
