Business & Commercial · Geelong & Surf Coast
1 insolvency & restructuring firm in Geelong & Surf Coast, Victoria, including Geelong, Torquay.
1 firm
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Harris Jodie provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Early advice gives directors more options, including small business restructuring and safe harbour. Creditors use insolvency lawyers to recover debts and protect security.
Early advice gives directors more options to save a business and avoid personal liability.
The Corporations Act provides voluntary administration, small business restructuring for companies with liabilities under $1 million, liquidation, and safe harbour protection for directors pursuing a better outcome.
Understand the next step
Explain the entity, current debts and any demands, enforcement or appointment. Ask for advice that distinguishes the company’s position from the responsibilities and interests of directors or guarantors.
Legal advice and the role of an insolvency practitioner are distinct; clarify coordination and fees.
Geelong and Torquay are grouped with the Surf Coast for browsing. For a property, building or business matter, make clear whether you need advice before signing or help resolving an existing disagreement.
For insolvency & restructuring, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant VIC experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Geelong & Surf Coast. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
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.
In Victoria, the Magistrates' Court hears most criminal and minor civil matters, with the County Court and Supreme Court handling more serious cases. Residential tenancy, planning, building and discrimination disputes often go to VCAT. Lawyers are regulated by the Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner, which also handles complaints.
Good to know
Protection for directors from insolvent trading liability while they develop a course of action likely to lead to a better outcome.
Most matters start in the Magistrates' Court. More serious cases go to the County Court or the Supreme Court of Victoria. Family law matters are heard by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Practising certificates in Victoria are managed by the Victorian Legal Services Board. You can check a solicitor's status on its public register or by contacting it directly.
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.