Business Law

Business Law for Private and Family Enterprise

We make it our business to understand yours.

At Sladen Legal, we work alongside private enterprises, family businesses and the professionals who advise them. We are trusted partners at every stage of the business lifecycle, from formation and growth through to succession and transition.

Our business lawyers combine deep commercial insight with specialised expertise in taxation, trust structures and strategic planning. We take time to understand how your business operates, the challenges you face and the outcomes you want to achieve. That understanding allows us to deliver advice that is practical, forward-looking and grounded in real-world experience.

Who we work with

We act for clients who share our entrepreneurial spirit, those who are determined to build something meaningful, challenge convention and create lasting impact. Our clients include:

Private and family-owned businesses across all industries
High-net-worth individuals and family groups
Not-for-profit organisations, schools and community enterprises
Publicly listed companies with a founder-led or entrepreneurial culture
Accountants, financial advisers and other trusted advisors

Contact Us

To discuss how we can support your business, or your clients, please get in touch.

Phone: +61 3 9620 9288
Email: business@sladen.com.au

Family Business

Business Structuring and Restructuring

Asset Protection

Workplace Relations

Commercial Contracts

Business Succession Planning

Business Lawyers

Business Law Insights

Featured

Contractual obligation to provide a guarantee from a parent company: Can these be enforced and against who?

When contracting parties agree that guarantees will also be provided, but the guarantor is not a party to the contract, is there an enforceable obligation to provide the guarantee? This article reports on the decision of the Supreme Court of Victoria of Boroondara City Council v ADCO Group Pty Ltd [2025] VSC 774 which had to consider this issue.

Legal professional privilege: How safe are your documents in the hands of others?

Knowing about legal professional privilege (LPP), when it applies and how it can be protected (and lost) is not something that may be on everyone’s radar on a day-to-day basis; by the time it is, it is usually already too late.

This article looks at a recent decision of the Supreme Court of South Australia concerning LPP and how LPP can be held and treated by more than 1 person: PK v The Salesian Society Inc [2025] SASC 208.

Div 296 legislation introduced to Parliament – what are the key changes

The Div 296 bill was introduced to parliament on 11 February 2026. So what were the changes from Treasury’s draft legislation? For a summary of the draft legislation see our articles – part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4.

Holidays are over and it’s back to business: 10 Income Tax Issues Set to Keep Us Busy in 2026

As the holiday season concludes and the countdown to another 30 June begins, we highlight 10 income tax issues that we expect will dominate the Australian private wealth landscape over the coming months.

The new Div 296 draft legislation - Part 4 - issues identified with the new provisions

This is our fourth article on the draft legislation for the new Div 296. Our first article examined the core legislation; our second article examined the transitional rules and the third article considered the problem that arises for indirect assets. This article will examine other issues with the proposed new Div 296.

The new Div 296 draft legislation - Part 3 - the big problem with indirect assets

This is our third article on the draft legislation for the new Div 296. Our first article examined the core legislation; while our second article examined the transitional rules. This article will examine how Div 296 will operate for indirect assets – for example where an SMSF holds assets via a unit trust or a company.

Family Business

Running a successful family business is both rewarding and demanding. The interplay of family relationships, generational expectations and commercial pressures can give rise to challenges that require careful navigation and sensitive, clear-eyed advice.

We have deep experience advising family enterprises on the issues that matter most. We understand that every family is different, and we work collaboratively to develop strategies that protect relationships, preserve wealth and support long-term success.

Our role often extends beyond traditional legal advice. We sit on advisory boards, participate in family meetings and help facilitate difficult conversations. Our focus is always on achieving sustainable outcomes while honouring the unique character of each family enterprise.

What We Do

Our family business advisory work includes:

Governance frameworks and family constitutions

Succession planning and intergenerational transitions

Business and ownership structuring

Conflict resolution and mediation

Deeds of family arrangement

Estate and wealth planning

Asset Protection

Safeguarding What You Have Built

Business owners invest years building wealth and enterprise. Without proper planning, that value can be exposed to avoidable risk.

In an environment where litigation and regulatory complexity are ever-present, it is essential to structure business and personal assets in a way that protects against creditors, disputes and unforeseen events, while preserving flexibility and control for current and future generations.

We draw on our strength in taxation, trust law and commercial structuring to design tailored asset protection strategies. We work with both established and emerging businesses to identify risk, develop resilient structures and plan proactively for the future.

Commercial Contracts

Commercial contracts are the foundation of every successful enterprise. Even routine agreements can carry significant risk, or opportunity, if not properly understood and negotiated.

We provide clear, strategic advice that helps clients understand the legal and commercial implications of their decisions. By investing time to understand your business and industry, we deliver advice that is both legally sound and commercially realistic.

Our Work Includes

Corporate governance documentation

Supply, distribution and service agreements

Terms of trade and customer contracts

Privacy policies and data protection compliance

Franchising arrangements

Personal Property Securities Act (PPSA) advice

Specialised and bespoke commercial agreements

Business Structuring and Restructures

The right structure is fundamental to long-term success. As a business grows, takes on investors or pursues new opportunities, its structure may need to evolve to reflect changing objectives and risk profiles.

We advise clients at every stage, from start-up through expansion, restructure and exit. Our approach is collaborative and forward-looking, working closely with business owners and their accountants to develop structures that balance commercial objectives, tax efficiency and practical governance.

Our Expertise Includes

Partnerships, joint ventures and collaborative arrangements

Investor and shareholder agreements

Intra-group and related-party arrangements

Asset protection structuring

Tax-effective restructures

Business succession and exit planning

Workplace Relations

People are at the heart of every enterprise. Managing employment relationships well, fairly, lawfully and in a way that supports your business objectives—is essential to sustainable success.

We advise employers on the full spectrum of workplace matters, from employment contracts and policies through to dispute resolution and termination. Our focus is on practical, proportionate advice that helps you manage your workforce confidently and avoid unnecessary risk.

Our Work Includes

Employment contracts and executive arrangements

Workplace policies and procedures

Performance management and termination

Restraints of trade and post-employment obligations

Workplace disputes and investigations

See our full Employment Law service offering

Business Succession Planning

Succession planning is one of the most important decisions a business owner will make. Without a clear strategy, changes in ownership or leadership can disrupt operations, damage relationships and erode value.

Whether you are planning a gradual transition, a trade sale or an intergenerational handover, we work closely with you to develop practical, flexible succession plans that evolve with your business and your family.

Our advice is grounded in a thorough understanding of your operations, ownership structures and long-term goals, ensuring continuity, certainty and value preservation.