Business Lawyer Sydney

Commercial and business law covers the legal rights, responsibilities, and transactions that arise when operating a business in NSW. Whether you are establishing a new business, negotiating contracts, hiring staff, or navigating industry-specific regulations, having the right legal support is essential.

At SlaterWatts Lawyers, we advise a diverse range of commercial clients, including childcare centres, service stations, hospitality businesses, and businesses subject to liquor and gaming regulation.

Business Formation and Structure

Commercial and business law often determines the complex processes of how business owners and directors form and structure their businesses. We can assist in electing and establishing the appropriate legal entity such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, company, or trust, with respect to liability, taxation, employment and leasing arrangements and ownership.

Contracts and Agreements

Contracts are fundamental in commercial transactions outlining the rights and obligations of all the parties involved. Carefully drafted contracts ensure clarity and protect the respective interests, reducing the risk of disputes, uncertainty and legal complications. In the Service Station industry, contracts come into play when dealing with fuel supply agreements, leasing arrangements and goods suppliers, distributors, and employees. We can draft your commercial contracts from scratch, or review and negotiate an existing agreement to flag issues and add provisions to protect your interests.

Intellectual Property (IP) Protection

Many businesses have invaluable intellectual property – unique branding, logos, and product names – that they wish to protect. Existing laws provide protection of these assets, for example, through trademark registration, which prevents others from using similar marks and helps establish a strong brand presence in the market. We understand that intellectual property is an important asset and can help you protect it, whether through trademark registration, licensing agreements, or enforcing your rights against infringement.

Employment Law

Employment law governs the relationship between employers and employees. Understanding and complying with employment regulations is essential for all businesses to establish and promote a healthy and legally compliant work environment and culture. We look forward to helping you navigate the vast range of employment and workplace matters in relation to the hospitality industry and ensure that you comply with your obligations when selling or buying a business.

Consumer Law and Competition Law

Competition law governs anti-competitive behaviour and protects fair competition in the market, preventing monopolies and price-fixing. Consumer protection laws traverse various commercial industries to ensure fair trade practices and prevent deceptive marketing or false advertising. Commercial and residential vendors must ensure they do not misrepresent their businesses or their viability when selling, otherwise they can expose themselves to claims from purchasers under the Australian Consumer Law.

Dispute Resolution and Litigation

Alternative dispute resolution methods, including negotiation and mediation, can be used to resolve conflicts without going to court when disputes arise between businesses, suppliers, customers, or employees. In some cases, however, litigation may be deemed necessary or be in your best interest. Understanding your legal position and your alternatives for resolving a dispute is fundamental to making an informed decision based on measured professional advice. Our experienced lawyers will explain your options, advise you and strongly advocate for you, to ensure that your legal interests are protected.

Data Protection and Privacy

As a business owner, you are responsible for protecting your customers’ data and complying with all applicable privacy laws. This is essential to maintaining customers’ customer data, financial information, and avoiding the costly consequences of ever-increasing data breaches.

Some steps which business owners can take to help protect their customer’s data include:

Developing and implementing a data protection policy that outlines how you collect, store, use, and share customer data;
Train your employees on data protection, privacy and collection;
Using two factor authentication or other strong security measures to protect your IT systems from unauthorised access; and
Regularly reviewing your data protection and privacy practices to ensure that they are up to date and remain effective.

If you need assistance, contact one of our lawyers at or call 02 9221 1088 for expert legal advice.

What Our Clients Say About Us

Lionel Asseraf, St James Cafe

“Ryan’s commitment to us has been unrivalled!

In the last decade, SlaterWatts Lawyers has helped us through Supreme Court litigation, leasing arrangements and disputes, NCAT mediation, licensing applications and personal matters. Ryan’s knowledge and poise during stressful times has allowed us to act with confidence and obtain the best possible outcome. His sharp commercial acumen and his always amiable but effective communication skills have made our litigious and transactional matters much easier. I would not hesitate to recommend him.”

Lionel Asseraf, St James Cafe

Loretta & Craig Coote – Coote Hotels Pty Ltd – Gladstone Hotel, Dulwich Hill

“We have used SlaterWatts Lawyers for over 30 years and we have always received personal and professional legal advice. Ryan has acted on a range of our matters personal and commercial matters ranging from Supreme Court Litigation to transactional and Liquor licensing & Gaming matters including development approvals. We have found Ryan’s knowledge to be in depth, his integrity to be flawless and passion for his clients to be unrelenting. We highly regard our relationship with SlaterWatts Lawyers and intend to continue to foster and maintain it. We without reservation recommend Ryan and his practice.”

Loretta & Craig Coote – Coote Hotels Pty Ltd – Gladstone Hotel, Dulwich Hill

Justin Small – Small Pubs – Balmain Hotel & Botany View Hotel

“SlaterWatts Lawyers has provided us with invaluable property and specialist liquor licensing & gaming advice. Ryan differentiates himself by his personal, pragmatic and outcome focused advice. Ryan is our trusted legal advisor when it comes to property and liquor licensing & gaming matters, and I would not hesitate to recommend SlaterWatts Lawyers.”

Justin Small – Small Pubs – Balmain Hotel & Botany View Hotel

Sandra Kelly – S & A Kelly FT Pty Ltd

“SlaterWatts Lawyers has extensive experience in commercial and property litigation. Ryan Watts’ experience and personal service was invaluable in our litigation matter, he instilled us with confidence to trust his advice which resulted in an excellent outcome for us. Ryan is commercially orientated, outcome driven, responsive to clients’ sensitivities and able to identify and pursue the most appropriate strategy to achieve clients’ objectives. SlaterWatts Lawyers provides the level of service and expertise one typically expects from a large commercial firm but in a boutique firm with a more personalised, flexible and practical manner.”

Sandra Kelly – S & A Kelly FT Pty Ltd

Ben Dunn – The Dunn Group

“Ryan has been providing The Dunn Group with personal, professional, and practical advice for over 10 years now and we highly respect his commercial advice and personal service. Ryan has provided professional advice on a variety of our matters ranging from litigation to transactional and service stations acquisitions including franchising negotiations. SlaterWatts Lawyers is a boutique firm with a commercial focus on reaching desirable outcomes for their clients and we highly recommend them.”

Ben Dunn – The Dunn Group

Greg Pilon & Brett Harvey – Amaroo Hotel & Pastoral Hotel Dubbo

“The team at SlaterWatts Lawyers are without doubt the most knowledgeable commercial and Liquor Licensing & Gaming lawyers we have dealt with. Ryan’s understanding of this area of law is exceptional and he is a pleasure to work with. Ryan’s astute commercial mindset and advice over the years has allowed us to resolve contentious property matters and transactions. Ryan and his staff have always managed to make the process easy to understand and more manageable. We would not hesitate to recommend Ryan and SlaterWatts Lawyers.”

Greg Pilon & Brett Harvey – Amaroo Hotel & Pastoral Hotel Dubbo

Phil, Moonacres

“SlaterWatts Lawyers, and in particular, their Solicitor Director, Mr Ryan Watts has been advising the Moonacres Group since 2016. During this time, the firm has covered a wide variety of issues including leasing, licencing, DA applications, tenant disputes, outraged customers and so on. Across this varied spectrum of legal issues Ryan consistently gave both wise and commercially relevant advice. His experience shines through in the very practical nature of the recommendations that he has made over the years.

His turn-around in contract drafting, particularly when time is short, has often left our counterparty embarrassed at how long they take to reply. This sort of professional readiness ensured that we were in a strong position from which to negotiate.

I have also appreciated Ryan’s willingness to advise when he is unable to advise on certain issues. While disappointing, he is well connected in the legal community, and has been able to put me in contact with extremely senior lawyers who are experts in their respective fields.

As a final note, it is well worth mentioning that despite the sometimes tense discussions we have had over the years, I have admired the way in which Ryan is able to keep the conversations enjoyable, verily, at times quite witty and amusing.

I heartily recommend this firm.”

Phil, Moonacres

John Morrison, Hotel Accountants

“We have worked closely with the Legal Practice ‘SlaterWatts’ for a period of over 20-years. The specialist Legal Practice has assisted many of our clients from a Sydney Hotel Transaction of $90.0mil to a Country client of $22.0mil and many in between. Over that period of time, I can attest to all of our very happy and successful clients not only on their sale expertise process but also the day to day Liquor Licensing issues. They have clear communication instructions, think outside the box, and are always available in the client’s hour of need. I would rate the firm as one of the best Legal Specialist Hotel practices available to Corporate and Mum & Dad Hotel clients. I am happy to attest to this in person and I would have no hesitation in recommending their services.”

John Morrison, Hotel Accountants

Ross and Beverley Wood

“Ryan Watts has been our legal adviser for the past 8 years. During this time he has given advice and managed a variety of matters on our behalf from the purchase and sale of residential and investment property to the drafting of Family Wills.

Ryan and Susana are an exceptionally professional team and have executed all our legal requirements in a prompt and pleasant manner. We highly value their expertise.”

Ross and Beverley Wood

Con & Sofia Bousgas – Bar Cleveland, Redfern

“SlaterWatts Lawyers has been advising us for over 20 years and they have always provided us with prompt and professional legal advice. Ryan’s hands on approach to our matters, has always instilled us with confidence and we highly respect his knowledge and expertise in property and liquor licensing and gaming matters. SlaterWatts Lawyers has assisted us with commercial and personal matters, and we have always found Ryan to be honest and a trustworthy advisor. As our trusted advisor, we highly recommend Ryan and SlaterWatts Lawyers services to anyone in need of commercial minded and client focused lawyers.”

Con & Sofia Bousgas – Bar Cleveland, Redfern

Brian & Louise Di Francesco

“We were very fortunate our pub broker introduced us to Ryan Watts at the time of the sale of our country hotel. I am absolutely certain that my husband’s first words – “it’s just a simple sale” – will be inscribed on a plaque on his wall.

The “simple sale” turned into a 20-month nightmare when there was a major fire at the hotel, completely destroying the beer garden and outdoor entertainment area – just three weeks before settlement.

Ryan’s constant communication, calm demeanour, very thorough knowledge of the law, friendly manner, wise counsel and attention to detail was exemplary. He was nothing short of brilliant as he helped us navigate an extremely difficult process with the constant, never-ending issues that arose for the next 20 months.

I cannot recommend Ryan highly enough. I would not hesitate to work with him again. For better or worse, he will be our go-to lawyer forever!”

Brian & Louise Di Francesco

“We are thrilled to share our fantastic experience with the legal services provided by Ryan Watts from SlaterWatts Lawyers. As a first-time homebuyer, we were initially overwhelmed by the complexities of the real estate process. However, Ryan guided us every step of the way, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience, on multiple occasions until the final purchase.

From the moment we engaged his services, we were impressed by his professionalism, expertise, and attention to details that calmed our nerves during these exciting times, knowing that our interests were protected throughout the entire home-buying journey.

Ryan was always accessible and responsive, promptly addressing any questions or concerns that arose and took the time to explain legal jargon in a way that was easy to understand, empowering us to make informed decisions.

We are now proud homeowners and highly recommend his legal services to anyone looking to buy a home. With Ryan’s help, the process was not only efficient but also enjoyable. Thank you very much Ryan from our whole family!”

Commercial & Business Law FAQs

What legal structure should I choose for my business?

The right structure depends on factors like liability, taxation, and ownership. We can help you choose between a sole trader, partnership, company or trust based on your goals and risks.

Do I need a lawyer to draft or review a contract?

Yes. Having a lawyer draft or review a contract helps ensure your interests are protected and can prevent disputes. We handle a wide range of commercial agreements, including lease, supplier, loan and various commercial sale contracts.

Can you help with legal issues specific to childcare centres?

Absolutely. We assist childcare centres with development consent, service approval, and ongoing compliance obligations in New South Wales.

How do I protect my business’s intellectual property?

We help register trademarks, draft licensing agreements, and take enforcement action if others use your branding or IP without permission.

What are my obligations when hiring staff?

Employment laws require you to follow regulations around wages, safety, termination and more. We can help guide you on best practices, especially if you’re buying or selling a business.

What should I do if I have a business dispute?

We’ll advise you on your legal position and whether to negotiate, mediate, or pursue litigation. Our goal is to resolve disputes efficiently and in your best interest.

Do you offer legal services for service station and convenience store businesses?

Yes, we can advise on the sale and acquisitions, fuel agreements, development consent, and ongoing operating requirements in New South Wales

Do you offer legal services for businesses with liquor or gaming licenses?

Yes. We advise various types of hospitality businesses on liquor and gaming compliance and licence applications.

Explore Our Services

Commercial &
Business Law

Commercial and business law governs the rights, relationships, and transactions of businesses and commercial entities

Liquor License &
Gaming Law

Liquor licensing and gaming laws in New South Wales govern the regulation and control of the sale and consumption of alcohol and the operation of gaming machines.

Building and Construction

Our firm provides clients with advice on building and construction contracts and disputes. For contracts, we review and providing advice including on scope and risk allocation…

Retail Leases

Retail leasing law covers the legal rights, responsibilities, and agreements between landlords and tenants in retail spaces.

Conveyancing &
Property Law

Property law and conveyancing are key areas of our practice and we will assist you in dealing with all types of interests in property.

Wills &
Estates

Making plans to provide for your family after you pass away and to manage your affairs as you age or if you are incapacitated, is a sensible way to protect your assets and loved ones.