In a business setting, as unavoidable as it is, there is so much we can do to come out of disputes unscarred (and even sometimes with a new friend!). I believe that our reactions, preparation, and communication can change the course of our business, and lives, in a BIG way.

‘Prevention is better than cure’. I can see you nodding, yet so many of us still find ourselves ruining our new designer handbag by not taking time to apply a leather protection treatment before we excitedly take it out for drinks…

If nothing else, the events of 2020 so far have meant that the time is gone where business owners can dismiss concerns by saying ‘it won’t happen to me’ or ‘I’ll deal with it later’.

Starting a business is much like starting a relationship – the right time is when it feels right, and when you are so passionate about it that you just can’t wait.

In business, there will always be unexpected things that happen. Despite best intentions, things can go wrong from time to time. Often these things catch you off guard, making the situation uncomfortable and unsettling.

When you entered into the partnership with your business partner (or partners), hopefully you took the time to have a partnership agreement drafted, and hopefully it was done with the level of skill and care required to reflect the agreement between the parties. If you did, then you will have a carefully prepared dispute resolution process to step through in the event of a dispute.

The legal system in Australia is just that, a legal system. Often this can be quite separate to the delivery of justice.

During my time in legal practice I have seen clients caught out or taken by surprise at various points in their commercial leases.