As a lawyer who works with a wide range of creative professionals, coaches, and consultants, I frequently encounter the same legal questions and challenges from my clients. To help more business owners navigate these issues successfully, I've compiled these legal resources for creatives that will ensure you are setting up your creative business for long-term success. 

I am seeing more and more contracts for coaching services challenged as consumers become increasingly aware of what’s fair and what’s not, following changes to unfair contract term laws that came into play at the end of last year. Changes to legislation removed the exemptions that were previously in place for small businesses, and in this blog I’ll be unpacking why it’s so important for business owners to get on the front foot here.

In this blog, I’m delving into significant changes in business contract rules that took effect on 9 November 2023. As small business owners, you need to know what’s changed, and I will break down the key points below.

If you've been following along, you've likely heard me emphasise the key reasons why your business needs properly tailored legal documents. In this blog post we’re going to delve into this from a different angle and explore how your legal documents can be your secret weapon in converting prospects into lifelong clients. 

In this blog post, we'll dive into a question that’s been coming up a lot lately with my clients - how to decide where to invest in your business? I'm not talking about external investing like shares and trading; instead, we're focusing on those business decisions that are an investment in themselves.

In a world where the pursuit of affordability and instant gratification often prevails, it is crucial for business owners to pause and reflect on the true value of their investments. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of buying cheap in business and the potential long-term costs that this can have, particularly in the context of legal services.

The 3 Cs are a non-negotiable aspect of running a successful business. It plays a crucial role in both client interactions and overall business operations. As someone with a litigation and dispute background, I have witnessed countless situations where disputes and misunderstandings could have been avoided with clear communication.

I’ve noticed a common misconception that the Australian Consumer Law (the ACL) only applies to larger, product-based businesses - like Harvey Norman.  This couldn’t be further from the truth. The ACL applies to all businesses that sell products or services to consumers.  Different rules will apply to different businesses, depending on what the business does.

As a business lawyer working with many interior designers, I've noticed a common thread: the excitement of transforming spaces often overshadows important considerations about working on client properties. In this blog, I share some key insights about protecting your interior design business when conducting site visits.

Owners of e-commerce businesses need to be clear on their obligations under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). We’re empowered, future-thinking business owners now, and we don’t rely on templates. What do I have to do if a client wants a refund? This is one of the most common questions I am asked by e-commerce business owners. So let’s get clear on what the ACL says about a business’ obligations when this happens.

Nobody wants their business plans or ideas stolen. But sometimes you need to disclose information to other parties in order to keep things moving forward. Luckily, Australian business law has your back here! You can use an NDA to prevent people from sharing or using information that could cost your business in the long-term.

Navigating through challenging times takes time and energy and will likely cause stress. Knowing that you don’t have to go it alone is essential. Having a relationship with your small business lawyer means you can reach out and your lawyer knows you, knows your business, and will be able to dive in and understand the issue quickly, so they can provide you with advice that is designed to help you resolve any issues without incurring unnecessary costly fees.