Business & Commercial
Lawyers act in the purchase and sale of businesses, from due diligence to completion.
A business sale involves the contract, lease assignment, employees, intellectual property, stock and goodwill. Lawyers structure the deal and protect you from inherited liabilities.
A business sale transfers goodwill, contracts, staff and risks. Careful structuring and due diligence protect both buyer and seller.
Transactions involve the Corporations Act for share sales, state duties, GST going-concern rules, Fair Work obligations for transferring employees, and lease assignments under state law.
Buying or Selling a Business firms in the directory
51 firms
Newport, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
P.J. Donnellan & Co provides legal services in Newport, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Bentleigh, VIC · South East Melbourne
Probate Excellence provides legal services in Bentleigh, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Bacchus Marsh, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
The Conveyancing Quarters provides conveyancing services in Bacchus Marsh, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Buying or Selling a Business.
Understand the next step
Distinguish a sale of business assets from a transaction involving shares or another ownership interest. Explain what is being transferred and which employees, leases and licences are involved.
Ask which tax, accounting and valuation work must be obtained separately.
Explain the transaction, amount involved, parties and desired result. Provide the current agreement and relevant entity or trust details.
Ask which risks need legal, accounting, tax or technical advice. Identify essential terms and those you are willing to negotiate.
Agree who negotiates, approves documents and tracks continuing obligations. Clarify whether post-completion advice is included.
Request a defined scope or staged budget with assumptions about document review and negotiation rounds. Personal guarantees, tax and related disputes may need separate work.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Highlight signing dates, finance conditions and demands. Raise an inability to meet debts immediately so appropriate advice can be identified before further commitments.
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Good to know
Checking the business's finances, contracts, leases, employees and legal risks before you commit to buy.
You can register a company yourself. A lawyer is useful for the shareholders agreement, the right structure for tax and asset protection, and making sure your contracts and terms protect you.
Yes. Leases often run for years and can include costly obligations such as make-good, outgoings and personal guarantees. Some states also have retail leasing laws that affect your rights.
