We need to give ourselves permission to say no to the work that doesn’t suit us, and to the clients who we know we can’t add value to. We need to do this so that we comfortably look forward to the quality relationships that we can develop by saying yes to the work that best suits us.

Having a template can be great to help guide you in understanding what to look for in your business documents and contracts. However, they can also see us thinking we’re covered for everything, when that may not be the case.

Getting across your business’ terms & conditions, and understanding the difference between these and your website terms & conditions is not something that should be filed away ‘to do later’. If you don’t get this right, you may not be protected and could find yourself with all sorts of problems (for example, if a customer doesn’t pay; if there is confusion around expectations; if a dispute arises in relation to what you are delivering).

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.

If a document isn’t signed correctly on behalf of a company, it can mean that it is not valid, and is unenforceable against the company.

There is no substitute to preparation, so take the time to know what you are getting into before you sign up to a franchise.

Success is about understanding your values as a person, being clear on your responsibilities and duties as a lawyer (to the court, to your client, and to your opponents) and then living by your values and discharging your obligations to the best of your ability - Every. Single. Day.

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

The short answer is yes. You can complain to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). But only about certain things, and you can only seek certain outcomes.

The new Banking Code of Practice is not designed to make banks responsible for acting in the best interest of small business (the customer) - not by any stretch of the imagination is this going to be the case.

Running a small business can be challenging, rewarding, overwhelming, stressful and exhilarating – often all at the same time! So how do you know if you need a lawyer?