Small Business Legal Advice: Small and Medium Enterprises

Setting up or growing a small business? Get the legal advice and services to make it a success - and keep it one.

We provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with practical, tailored, down-to-earth legal advice and support.

You've got the idea. You've put in the hard work. And now it's time to make your business a reality. We'll help you get it set up, or keep it on the right track. We can help you with all your business' legal needs, including:

Structuring your business
Employment contracts
Creating, reviewing and updating terms of trade
Registering your business
Asset protection
Intellectual property protection and trademarking

Business comes with a lot of uncertainty. Keep it to a minimum with the right team in your corner.

How our SME lawyers can help your business

Structuring Your Business

A business is a business, right? Not quite. There are a number of ways you can structure your business in New Zealand, each with its own pros, cons and obligations. Picking the right one will help you take your business where you'd like to go.

The main three structures in New Zealand are:

Sole Traders
Companies
Partnerships

We can help you identify the right structure for you, and make that structure a reality.

Sole Traders

This is where you're in business on your own. This is the most straightforward option. You won't need to register as a company, but it might make it harder to grow your business.

Companies

There are a few more requirements to meet forming a company, but it's a lot easier to grow the business, bring on other people, or eventually sell it.

Partnerships

Partnerships are popular among professionals. Unlike sole traders, it's where two or more people are involved. But you do take on a little more risk and liability than you would with a company.

Employment Contracts

If you have employees, you'll need employment contracts. We can set you up with employment contracts for your entire staff, and for individuals.

Terms of Trade/Terms & Conditions

Terms of trade, or terms and conditions, serve as the generic contract between your business and all the customers to whom you provide goods or services. They set out the processes, rights, responsibilities and obligations that fall on each party.

If you’re starting from scratch or want to review your existing terms and conditions, we’re here to help. Let us know what you want to achieve, and we’ll get you there.

"The Canterbury Legal team made it easy for me to set up my business. They pointed out all the things I needed to think about, and got them sorted on my behalf. It gave me a lot more confidence going ahead with things."

Jane Doe

Registering Your Business

If you're starting a company or a partnership, you'll need to be registered. We can help you meet all your obligations and ensure you're set up for success.

Intellectual Property Protection

Your business will inevitably involve something that's unique to you, whether it's your branding or business name, or the novel works you create.

You'll want to make sure that no one else can use those. Our team can set you up with the right kind of intellectual property protection.

Talk with us about your business law issues

     Excellent  
     Based on 13 reviews 
    
 
 
   
 
 
        
   Ashley Murphy 
 2023-12-11
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. An excellent team that provide a very professional level of service and expertise
  
 
       
   edwin whanau 
 2022-11-02
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very helpful and understanding
  
 
       
   Rick Connor 
 2022-10-06
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very kind and helpful people, they did what I needed in a professional manner at a reasonable cost
  
 
       
   Mike Harrington 
 2022-03-14
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service! ✅
  
 
       
   Olivia Stevens 
 2022-01-27
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Perfect, easy, friendly and no stress!!!
  
 
       
   Allan Dunstan 
 2021-05-28
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fast efficiency  legal papers sorted in one day. Came to me in hospital. Highly recommended