Contract Lawyer Sydney
Every significant business commitment you make is underpinned by a contract.
When those contracts are clear, fair, and properly drafted, they protect you. When they're not, they become the source of disputes, unexpected costs, and stalled deals.
At Connected Legal & Commercial, we help Sydney businesses get commercial contracts right — whether that means drafting an agreement from scratch, reviewing a contract before you sign, or negotiating better terms on your behalf.
Business owners are busy.
It's tempting to scan a contract, decide it "looks fine," and sign.
But contracts are written by the other party's lawyer – which means they're written to protect the other party, not you.
Common problems we find in contracts sent to our clients for review:
Liability caps that leave you fully exposed on your most important obligations
Unilateral variation clauses that allow the other party to change pricing or terms with minimal notice
Intellectual property clauses that transfer ownership of your work to a client
Termination clauses that can be triggered on grounds far broader than you'd expect
Auto-renewal provisions that lock you in for another term if you miss a narrow exit window
Dispute resolution clauses that require expensive arbitration in an inconvenient jurisdiction
Indemnity provisions where you've agreed to cover losses that aren't your fault
We've seen all of these.
A contract review before you sign is almost always far cheaper than a dispute after.
The Risk of Signing Without Legal Advice
Commercial Contracts We Draft and Review
Commercial Supply and Service Agreements
For businesses that provide or receive goods and services, we draft agreements that define the scope, protect your IP, manage liability, and give you workable exit options. We work with both suppliers and their customers.
Business-to-Business Service Agreements
If you provide services to other businesses — consulting, marketing, technology, professional services — your service agreement is your first line of protection. We draft agreements that clearly define deliverables, limit your liability, address IP ownership, and include payment terms with real teeth.
Distribution and Reseller Agreements
Appointing a distributor or reseller creates ongoing obligations and often involves your brand. We draft agreements that protect your brand, define territory and exclusivity clearly, and give you meaningful rights if the relationship underperforms.
Licensing Agreements
Whether you're licensing software, IP, or a business system, the terms matter. We draft and review licensing agreements for both licensors and licensees — covering scope of use, exclusivity, term, fees, and termination. If you work with IT providers or software vendors, see our IT Providers Checklist for the legal red flags to watch for.
Heads of Agreement and Term Sheets
A heads of agreement (HOA) sets the framework before a formal contract is drafted. Many businesses treat HOAs as non-binding and sign without much thought — but some clauses within an HOA can be legally binding even when the document says otherwise. We review and draft HOAs to ensure you understand exactly what you're committing to.
Joint Venture Agreements
When two or more businesses collaborate on a project or venture, a joint venture agreement defines how decisions are made, how profits are shared, who owns any resulting IP, and how the arrangement ends. Without one, disagreements become expensive.
Contractor Agreements
Independent contractor agreements need to clearly establish the commercial nature of the relationship to avoid the engagement being reclassified as employment. We draft contractor agreements that are commercially sound and appropriately structured.
Contract Review: What We Look For
When you send us a contract to review, we analyse it from your perspective — not as a neutral reader.
We are looking for:
Clauses that transfer more risk to you than the deal warrants
Obligations that are broader or more onerous than you intend to take on
Rights and protections you should have but don't
Gaps — things the contract doesn't address that could become disputes
Terms that differ from what was agreed verbally or in correspondence
We provide you with a clear report setting out what we found, what it means in practical terms, and the changes we recommend. If you want us to negotiate those changes with the other party, we can do that too.
Contract Negotiation
Receiving a contract and accepting it as-is is rarely your only option — even when the other party says it's "standard." We regularly negotiate on behalf of our clients to:
Remove or modify unfair indemnity or liability provisions
Narrow termination rights
Clarify scope to prevent scope creep disputes
Introduce proper IP ownership provisions
Add step-in rights or practical dispute resolution mechanisms
Most negotiations are conducted by correspondence and resolve without the relationship becoming adversarial. We know when to push and when a term isn't worth the friction.
When Should You Call Us?
You need us when:
A contract dispute has arisen – a party isn't performing, payment has stopped, or a claim is threatened
You're about to sign a standard contract and want a fixed-fee review before you commit
You're entering a multi-party transaction, long-term supply deal, or joint venture and need a scoped estimate
The right time to call is before you sign.
Contract Law FAQs
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For a standard commercial contract (up to around 20 pages), we offer a fixed-fee review. More complex or lengthy agreements are quoted on scope. Contact us for a quote — we'll give you a clear number before we start.
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For a standard commercial contract (up to around 20 pages), we offer a fixed-fee review. More complex or lengthy agreements are quoted on scope. Contact us for a quote — we'll give you a clear number before we start.
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Yes. "Standard" means it's written to protect them. Knowing exactly what you're agreeing to is valuable even if you decide not to negotiate – and in our experience, most contracts have more room for negotiation than the other party suggests.
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We can review the contract and advise on your rights and options. In a dispute, the first step is understanding exactly what the contract says — and what it doesn't. Contact us as early as possible; options narrow as time passes.
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It can be. Governing law clauses affect where disputes are resolved and which courts have jurisdiction. We check these clauses in every review and advise you on the implications.
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Absolutely. If you need a contract drafted for your business — a service agreement, a supply contract, a contractor agreement — we can draft one tailored to your requirements. Contact us to discuss.