Putting the right structure in place is invaluable if you are considering
- Establishing a new business
- Entering into a joint venture or strategic alliance with another business
- Acquiring a new investment
The right legal structure can help you to
- maximise asset protection and minimise your legal risk;
- minimise tax; and
- maximise value for later in life.
It is critical to put the right legal structure in place at the outset, to avoid potentially hefty stamp duty, tax and other issues arising down the track.
We will work with your accountant and other advisers to help you decide on the right business / investment structure for you.
If you are considering going into business with others, you should consider how to manage and document that business agreement. Communication is the key, between you and your business partners from the outset.
Ownership Agreements
By legally documenting your relationship with your business partners, it can help to avoid costly and unwanted disputes later on. Everyone agrees to the responsibilities and how the business will work.
Business ownership agreements we can help you with are partnership agreements (for partnerships), shareholder agreements (for companies), unitholders’ agreements (if your business is being operated through a unit trust) and joint venture agreements.
These agreements will typically cover
- what each business partner is expected to do and contribute;
- the decision-making processes and control of the business;
- exit mechanisms (for example, this could be a right of first refusal in the event that one business partner wishes to sell his/her interest)
- mechanisms to deal with disputes if they arise;
- each party’s obligations towards each other including confidentiality;
- the imposition of restraints if someone ceases to be a business partner.
