Get Simple Legal Advice and Answers to Common Legal Questions for Small Businesses

Running a small business can be incredibly rewarding — but it also comes with a long list of legal responsibilities that many owners find confusing or overwhelming. Whether you’re setting up a new venture, managing staff, signing contracts, or expanding to new locations, the right legal advice can make a significant difference in protecting your business and avoiding costly mistakes.

At Greyson Legal, we understand the pressures that come with running a small business. We’re here to make the law simple — offering clear, practical, and affordable legal advice that helps you make confident business decisions. We work with small business owners across Redcliffe, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, and Tasmania, providing trusted guidance through every stage of your business journey.

Starting Your Small Business — Getting the Legal Foundations Right

Every successful business starts with the right legal structure and documentation. Many new entrepreneurs are eager to get started and skip this crucial step — only to encounter disputes or compliance issues later on.

At Greyson Legal, we can help you establish your business on a strong foundation by assisting with:

• Choosing a business structure — whether a sole trader, partnership, company, or trust, each option has different tax, liability, and reporting implications.

• Preparing partnership or shareholder agreements — to prevent future disagreements about ownership, profit-sharing, or management.

• Registering your business name and trade marks — to protect your brand identity and ensure no one else can use your logo or name.

• Drafting contracts with suppliers, customers, or contractors — setting out terms of trade, payment clauses, and dispute resolution procedures.

• Understanding licensing and regulatory obligations — including health, safety, or industry-specific permits required to operate legally.

These early legal steps are vital to protecting your investment, clarifying your obligations, and ensuring you’re compliant from day one.

Common Legal Questions Small Business Owners Ask

When you run a small business, legal questions arise almost every week. Here are some of the most common topics our clients ask about — and why getting professional advice matters.

“Do I need a written contract for my clients or suppliers?” Yes. Verbal agreements might seem easy, but they’re difficult to prove if a dispute arises. A clear, written contract helps both parties understand their rights and obligations, reducing the risk of misunderstandings or non-payment.

“What happens if my lease ends — can I renew it or will I have to move?” Most commercial leases include options to renew, but the timing and process are critical. We can review your lease to check your renewal rights, ensure compliance with notice periods, and negotiate more favourable terms.

“Can I hire staff as contractors instead of employees?” This depends on the working relationship. Misclassifying employees as contractors can lead to serious tax and Fair Work penalties. We’ll help you determine the correct structure and prepare compliant agreements.

“Do I really need to register my trade mark?” Absolutely — a registered trade mark gives you exclusive rights to use your business name or logo across Australia. Without registration, you have limited protection if another business uses something similar.

“What if a customer doesn’t pay their invoice?” Having properly drafted terms and conditions — including payment timeframes, interest clauses, and recovery rights — gives you stronger legal standing to recover unpaid debts efficiently.

“What kind of insurance do I need as a small business owner?” Public liability, professional indemnity, and workers compensation insurance are common requirements.

We can help you understand which apply to your industry and what your obligations are under applicable State law.

Getting the right advice early means you can avoid fines, penalties, and disputes that could easily derail your business.

Protecting Your Small Business — Everyday Legal Risks

Even the most organised small business owners can be caught out by unexpected legal problems. These issues can arise from a poorly written contract, unclear lease terms, or simply misunderstanding your obligations.

Some common risk areas include:

• Contracts and agreements – Missing or vague clauses can create uncertainty and disputes.

• Employment and HR compliance – Small businesses must follow the Fair Work Act, including modern awards, wages, and leave entitlements.

• Privacy and data protection – Collecting and storing customer data carries legal obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), where applicable.

• Commercial leasing – Understanding maintenance responsibilities, rent reviews, and outgoings prevents disputes with landlords.

• Intellectual property – Protecting your designs, products, and branding avoids future conflicts and builds business value.

• Dispute resolution – Knowing when and how to handle disputes through negotiation, mediation, or the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) can save time and money.

Greyson Legal can help identify potential risks before they escalate — offering proactive legal advice that supports smooth business operations.

Growing and Expanding — Legal Guidance for the Next Stage

Once your business is stable, your focus may shift to growth — hiring more staff, expanding locations, or even turning your business into a franchise model. Growth creates new opportunities but also new legal responsibilities.

Greyson Legal provides tailored legal support for expanding small businesses, including:

• Franchising advice — understanding the Franchising Code of Conduct, preparing franchise agreements, and ensuring compliance for franchisors and franchisees.

• Business sale and purchase transactions — conducting due diligence, drafting sale contracts, and managing the legal transfer of business ownership.

• Commercial leasing for new premises — negotiating terms that support your business goals and reduce risk.

• Partnership changes — adding or removing business partners, updating shareholder agreements, and managing buyouts.

• Intellectual property strategy — expanding your trade mark protection as your business grows nationally or online.

Having an ongoing relationship with a small business lawyer means you get consistent, long-term support — not just one-off advice.

Why Choose Greyson Legal

Greyson Legal is a boutique commercial law firm dedicated to helping small business owners make confident, informed decisions. We understand that most small business owners don’t have an in-house legal team — so we provide practical, accessible advice when you need it most.

Whether you operate a café, retail store, trades business, or professional service, we tailor our legal support to fit your size, industry, and growth goals.

Contact Greyson Legal

If you need simple legal advice or answers to common legal questions for your small business, we’re here to help.

📞 Phone: 0411 248 885 📧 Email: mail@greysonlegal.com 🌐 Website: www.greysonlegal.com