Franchise lawyers advise franchisees and franchisors under the Franchising Code of Conduct.
firms
99
regions
16
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The Code requires disclosure documents and cooling-off periods. Buying a franchise is a major investment, and a review of the franchise agreement is essential.
Why franchising matters
Buying a franchise is a major investment governed by a long-term agreement heavily weighted to the franchisor.
The Australian context
The Franchising Code of Conduct, a mandatory industry code enforced by the ACCC, requires disclosure documents, cooling-off periods and good faith dealing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(35)Google rating from 35 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rowe Bristol Lawyers provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Debt Recovery.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Debt Recovery · Building & Construction · Insolvency & Restructuring · Franchising · Commercial Property & Leasing · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hwl Ebsworth Lawyers provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Partner & Family Visas+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Franchising · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Insolvency & Restructuring
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Coulter Legal provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Tax Law · Partner & Family Visas · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · FranchisingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★3.8(25)Google rating from 25 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Macpherson Kelley provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property & Trade Marks and Property & Conveyancing.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreIntellectual Property & Trade Marks · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Insolvency & Restructuring · Franchising2 languages
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(25)Google rating from 25 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Stacks Law Firm provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Medical Negligence · Franchising · Debt Recovery · Defamation · Employment LawNo win, no fee
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mornington, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Stidston Warren Lawyers provides legal services in Mornington, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Contested Wills & Family Provision.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Franchising · Family Law · Intellectual Property & Trade MarksFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Moonah, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hwl Ebsworth Lawyers provides legal services in Moonah, TAS. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Partner & Family Visas+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Franchising · Property & Conveyancing · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Insolvency & Restructuring · Banking & Finance
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bundall, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(17)Google rating from 17 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
McTaggart Grant Lawyers provides legal services in Bundall, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Commercial Property & Leasing.
Business & Commercial Law+5 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Commercial Property & Leasing · Buying or Selling a Business · Franchising · Health & Medical Practitioner Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Tamworth, NSW · New England & North West
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Stacks Law Firm provides legal services in Tamworth, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Medical Negligence.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Medical Negligence · Wills & Estates · Franchising · Debt Recovery · Defamation · Family LawNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Balcatta, WA · Perth North
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Anthony Prime Legal Services provides legal services in Balcatta, WA. Listed practice areas include Building & Construction, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Building & Construction+4 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Franchising
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wyong, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
EFFECTIVE LEGAL SOLUTIONS provides legal services in Wyong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Franchising · Divorce & Separation · Wills & Estates · Debt Recovery · Commercial Litigation
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Tweed Heads, NSW · Northern Rivers
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Stacks Law Firm provides legal services in Tweed Heads, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Medical Negligence · Franchising · Debt Recovery · Defamation · Personal InjuryNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(11)Google rating from 11 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Macpherson Kelley provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Franchising.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Box Hill, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Verge Legal 维智律师事务所 (Melbourne CBD) provides legal services in Box Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Franchising · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Criminal Law · Planning & EnvironmentFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Torquay, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Coulter Legal provides legal services in Torquay, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Tax Law · Partner & Family Visas · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · FranchisingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Barton, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hwl Ebsworth Lawyers provides legal services in Barton, ACT. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Partner & Family Visas+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Franchising · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Insolvency & Restructuring
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kingston, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hwl Ebsworth Lawyers provides legal services in Kingston, TAS. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Partner & Family Visas+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Franchising · Property & Conveyancing · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Insolvency & Restructuring · Banking & Finance
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cairns North, QLD · Cairns & Far North
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
AbsoluteLaw Lawyers & Attorneys provides legal services in Cairns North, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Franchising and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+4 moreFranchising · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
North Sydney, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Arc & Stone Legal provides legal services in North Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+4 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Franchising · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Port Melbourne, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★2.5(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Behan Legal provides legal services in Port Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★3.5(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hwl Ebsworth Lawyers provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Partner & Family Visas+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Franchising · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Insolvency & Restructuring
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Pialba, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Stone Group Lawyers Gold Coast provides legal services in Pialba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial Law · Franchising · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consult
Say whether you are entering, operating, renewing, transferring or disputing a franchise. Review the complete document set and commercial arrangements, not only the agreement’s title.
Confirm whether negotiations, related leases and guarantees are included in the engagement.
How the engagement may progress
01
Explain the transaction, amount involved, parties and desired result. Provide the current agreement and relevant entity or trust details.
02
Ask which risks need legal, accounting, tax or technical advice. Identify essential terms and those you are willing to negotiate.
03
Agree who negotiates, approves documents and tracks continuing obligations. Clarify whether post-completion advice is included.
Fees and the scope of work
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.
Dates to raise at first contact
Highlight signing dates, finance conditions and demands. Raise an inability to meet debts immediately so appropriate advice can be identified before further commitments.
Questions to ask a franchising adviser
Which obligations and exit provisions need attention?
What independent financial assessment should accompany the review?
Who is your client: the business or me personally?
What specialist input is required?
Which risks and exclusions should I understand before approving the document?
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
Frequently asked questions
Is there a cooling-off period for franchises?
Yes. The Franchising Code provides a cooling-off period after entering the agreement or paying money.
Do I need a lawyer to start a company?
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.
Should a lawyer review a commercial lease?
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.
