Tailored contract law, employment contract law, and contract dispute guidance for businesses and individuals in Sydney.
Our experienced team of contract lawyers in Sydney can help you to successfully navigate a multitude of contract law matters with ease to secure the best outcome.
Contract Lawyers & Contract Disputes Sydney
Contract lawyers helping businesses to navigate contract reviews, drafting, and contract disputes.
Heathfield Grosvenor is a Sydney firm of contract law lawyers acting on both sides of the contract lifecycle: drafting and negotiating agreements that hold up under pressure, and running the disputes that follow when they do not.
Our commercial contract lawyers draft, review and negotiate the agreements a business actually relies on — supply and services agreements, business sales, employment contracts, licensing and digital terms. The same team runs contract litigation through our commercial litigation practice — which means every contract we draft is written by lawyers who know exactly how contracts fail in court, and every dispute we run is informed by how the document should have been built.
Contract Law Specialties
Employment contracts
Employment contractsthat protect businesses and safeguard the best interests of employees to meet National Employment Standards and the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).
Business sale contracts
Business sale agreements that clearly set out the commercial details of the sale and the assets included within the sale to ensure a smooth, concise transfer of business ownership.
Franchising and licensing
Franchise and licensing agreements that provide guidance for the franchisee and the franchisor on how the franchise operates, the business model, and obligations.
Supplier agreements
Supplier agreements and vendor contracts that clearly set out the terms and conditions that govern the delivery of goods or services between business and supplier.
Digital agreements
Drafting, reviewing, and fine-tuning all of your business’ digital agreements with Sydney’s contract law experts at HG Law.
Contract negotiation
Legal expertise and guidance to review and negotiate contract terms to protect your best interests throughout the contract negotiation process.
Commercial lease agreements
Commercial lease contract guidance for landlords and tenants across a range of retail, commercial, licence, and sublease contract agreements.
Waivers & disclaimers
Waivers and disclaimer guidance for businesses to effectively limit liability and ensure enforceability in line with Australian Consumer Law.
Contractor agreements
Independent contractor agreements that clearly outline the rights and responsibilities of each party and define the terms of the contractor relationship.
Shareholder agreements
Legally binding shareholder agreements that outline the rights and obligations of stakeholders and ensure protection for all parties.
When Contracts Go Wrong: Contract Dispute Lawyers
Breach and termination. Whether you can terminate — and whether you should — turns on the type of term breached and the terms of the contract itself. Terminating without the right to do so is itself a repudiation, and converts you from innocent party to defendant. We advise before you act, not after.
Repudiation. Where the other party shows it is unwilling or unable to perform, you may accept the repudiation, terminate and sue for damages — but the election must be handled precisely, because affirming the contract or wrongly accepting can be costly.
Damages. What you can actually recover depends on causation, remoteness and your duty to mitigate. Agreed damages clauses bring their own risk: a clause that operates as a penalty is unenforceable — see our analysis of penalty clauses and liquidated damages.
Unfair contract terms. Standard-form contracts with small businesses are subject to the unfair contract terms regime, with substantial penalties now attaching to unfair terms — see our guide to unfair contract terms.
Urgent relief. Where a counterparty threatens irreversible harm — walking away mid-project, misusing confidential information — injunctive relief may be available at short notice through the courts.
If a contract dispute is live, speak to a senior litigator today: +61 2 9358 5527.
Contract Law FAQs
Can I terminate a contract for breach?
Only where the breach is of a condition or a sufficiently serious breach of an intermediate term, or where the contract gives you an express termination right. Terminating without a proper basis is itself a repudiation — take advice before acting, because the sequencing determines who ends up the defendant.
What is repudiation of a contract?
Conduct showing a party is unwilling or unable to perform its obligations — renouncing the contract outright, or breaching in a way that deprives you of substantially the whole benefit. The innocent party may accept the repudiation, terminate and claim damages.
What damages can I claim for breach of contract?
Damages aim to put you in the position performance would have — subject to causation, remoteness and mitigation. Recoverable heads commonly include lost profits, wasted expenditure and the cost of substitute performance. Agreed damages clauses are enforceable only if they are not penalties.
Do you draft contracts as well as run disputes?
Yes — that is the point of the practice. The lawyers who draft your agreements run contract litigation weekly, so drafting is informed by how contracts actually fail, and disputes are informed by how the document was built.
Our Sydney Contract Lawyer Team
Chris was originally admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales and worked in London for an award winning and highly regarded firm established in 1881.
Tass is a specialist employment lawyer with over 30 years experience. He has been a solicitor, a barrister and an industrial advocate.
Rebecca Campbell
Rebecca is a Senior Lawyer practicing in commercial and civil litigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a contract legally enforceable in Australia?
A binding contract requires offer, acceptance, consideration (something of value exchanged by each party), intention to create legal relations, and certainty of terms. Both parties must have capacity to contract. If any element is missing, the contract may be unenforceable — even if it is signed.
What happens if someone breaches a contract?
The innocent party may be entitled to damages, specific performance, or termination of the contract depending on the nature and severity of the breach. HG Law advises on the most commercially effective remedy, whether that is negotiating a resolution, pursuing damages, or seeking an urgent court order.
Do I need a lawyer to review a commercial contract?
You are not legally required to, but it is strongly advisable. Commercial contracts often contain unfavourable clauses around liability caps, IP ownership, termination rights, and dispute resolution. A lawyer identifies these risks before you sign and can negotiate improved terms on your behalf.
Can a verbal agreement be enforced in Australia?
Yes, verbal contracts can be legally binding in Australia if the essential elements are present. However, they are difficult to prove and enforce. For any commercial arrangement of significance, a written contract is always recommended to avoid disputes about what was agreed.
How much does contract legal advice cost?
HG Law provides fixed-fee contract law services — you receive a clear quote before work begins with no hourly billing. Fees vary depending on the complexity and length of the contract. Contact us for a no-obligation quote specific to your matter.
Professional and on time. Our lawyer is a person of high integrity and is genuinely committed to helping us achieve our goals. If Chris Chang leaves the firm, we will follow him. All aspects of their work were performed at an exemplary standard — skill, timeliness and client service. Good practical advice speedily given and implemented. Responsiveness, quality, professionalism and value. Highly recommend working with Chris — responsive, professional and outcome-focused, and very well-priced given the exceptional quality of work. Chris Chang always responded very promptly. Heathfield Grosvenor have no areas in which they could improve — our experience was nothing but positive. Professional and diligent in their research, prompt and timely in their responses. I achieved a favourable outcome. Highly professional, diligent, and trustworthy services. Chris went above and beyond — and truly cares about his clients. Chris provided excellent advice and great service. I would highly recommend. They made the process seamless for us. Very professional and very knowledgeable in their field. Chris Chang goes above and beyond to get the desired results. Their pricing is fair and you don't feel like you're constantly on the clock. Very professional service and top quality advice — quality, professionalism and value. Excellent and timely advice, professional handling of all issues. All was good, easy communication (we are from Italy), efficient support, fast procedures. Understood exactly the issue and resolved it right away. Made sure I did not include unnecessary expense in pursuing my litigation for a broken contract.Testimonials
