Corporate & Commercial Lawyers Australia
Summary
Astris Law provides Australian corporate and commercial legal services under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), including company incorporation, shareholder agreements, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, due diligence and commercial contract drafting. The firm advises businesses on ASIC compliance, FIRB approvals and complex corporate restructuring.
Overview
Corporate and commercial law forms the foundation of business operations. From company incorporation to complex restructuring, Astris Law can provide strategic advice that aligns legal frameworks with commercial objectives. We can help businesses navigate Corporations Act requirements, corporate governance, shareholder arrangements and commercial transactions with precision and foresight.
How We Help
Astris Law advises Brisbane business owners, directors and founders on the full range of corporate and commercial matters. Whether you are incorporating a new company, negotiating a shareholder agreement for a joint venture, or working through the due diligence process on an acquisition, we provide clear, strategic advice that keeps your commercial objectives at the centre of every decision.
Our corporate practice covers company formation and structuring under the Corporations Act 2001, shareholder and unitholders agreements, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and director duties, and commercial contract drafting and negotiation. We also advise on joint ventures, franchise arrangements, business succession planning and exit strategies. For Brisbane businesses dealing with cross-border transactions or foreign investment, we navigate FIRB approval requirements and ASIC regulatory processes.
Every business transaction carries legal risk. A poorly drafted shareholder agreement can lead to deadlock. An acquisition without proper due diligence can saddle you with undisclosed liabilities. A commercial contract with ambiguous terms invites disputes. Astris Law ensures your corporate documents are precise, enforceable and aligned with how your business actually operates.
Common Situations
- You are setting up a new company with business partners and need a shareholder agreement that addresses funding, decision-making, exits and deadlock
- Your business is acquiring or merging with another company and you need due diligence, transaction documents and ASIC or FIRB approvals
- A shareholder dispute has arisen and you need advice on oppression remedies, buy-out mechanisms or winding up
- You need commercial contracts drafted or reviewed for a major supplier, customer or joint venture relationship
- Your board needs advice on director duties, corporate governance or potential insolvent trading exposure
- You are planning a business exit, succession or restructure and need a strategy that manages tax, regulatory and commercial risks
Why Astris Law
As a boutique Brisbane firm, Astris Law gives you direct access to the principal lawyer handling your matter — there is no delegation to junior solicitors or paralegals. For transactional work where responsiveness and commercial judgment matter, that direct relationship makes a material difference.
What We Can Do
Our Special Interests
Key Legislation & Frameworks
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a corporate lawyer do in Australia?
A corporate lawyer in Australia advises businesses on company incorporation, ASIC registration, corporate governance, shareholder agreements, mergers and acquisitions, due diligence and commercial contracts. They help ensure businesses comply with the Corporations Act 2001 and navigate regulatory requirements across ASIC, FIRB and other bodies.
Do I need a shareholder agreement for my Australian company?
Under Australian law, a shareholder agreement is not mandatory, but any company with multiple shareholders should have one in place. Without a shareholder agreement, disputes over share transfers, dividends, deadlock resolution and exit mechanisms default to the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and the company constitution, which rarely address these issues adequately. A properly drafted shareholder agreement provides enforceable protections that the statutory framework does not.
What is involved in a merger or acquisition in Australia?
An M&A transaction in Australia typically involves due diligence, negotiation of transaction documentation (share sale or asset sale agreements), regulatory approvals (ASIC, ACCC, FIRB where applicable), completion mechanics and post-completion integration. The process is governed by the Corporations Act 2001 and may require Foreign Investment Review Board approval for foreign acquirers.
What are the key director duties under the Corporations Act?
Directors of Australian companies have statutory duties under sections 180-184 of the Corporations Act 2001 including the duty to act with care and diligence, act in good faith in the best interests of the company, not improperly use their position or information and prevent the company from trading while insolvent. Breach of these duties can result in civil penalties, disqualification and personal liability.
How much does a corporate lawyer cost in Australia?
Corporate lawyer fees in Australia vary depending on the complexity and nature of the matter. Most corporate lawyers charge on an hourly basis or offer fixed fees for specific transactions such as company incorporations, contract reviews and shareholder agreements. At Astris Law, we provide transparent fee estimates before commencing work and can discuss flexible arrangements for ongoing advisory work.
Insights & Publications
View allOne Lawyer or a Team of Six: What the Leverage Model Actually Costs You
11 June 2026
Most business owners assume a bigger legal team means better service. Having read a lot of other firms' bills over the years, I am not convinced. This article looks at how the traditional Australian law firm model makes its money, what the current market data says about where rates are heading and why a single senior lawyer is often the cheaper and faster engagement. It also covers when the opposite is true, because sometimes it is.
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Cryptocurrency Regulation in Australia: What the Law Actually Says in 2026
16 May 2026
The Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 8 April 2026, creating Australia's first dedicated licensing regime for digital asset platforms. AUSTRAC's expanded perimeter commences in stages from 31 March and 1 July 2026. A new stored-value facility framework captures stablecoins. And the courts have repeatedly rejected ASIC's characterisation of how existing financial services law applies to digital assets. This is what the law actually says.
Read more
NDIS Service Agreements in 2026: Why the "Industry Standard" Is Costing Allied Health Practices and Service Providers Money
1 May 2026
If you operate an allied health practice or a small to medium NDIS service provider, the chances are high that the service agreement your participants sign is one of the dozens of free templates circulating online. Those templates are all third-party derivatives with a common set of structural weaknesses. The NDIA itself does not publish an authoritative template, and outside specialist disability accommodation, written service agreements are recommended rather than required. This article explains why the templates offer weaker protection than allied health practice owners and NDIS providers think, why the sector has quietly normalised the position, what the cases the regulator is now bringing mean for practitioners, and what a properly drafted contracting position actually looks like.
Read moreIndustries We Serve in Corporate & Commercial
Banking, Private Equity & Venture Capital
Strategic legal counsel for banks, private equity firms and venture capital funds.
Construction & Infrastructure
Legal support for construction contracts, infrastructure projects and building disputes in Queensland and Australia.
Fintech
Innovative legal solutions for payment platforms, neobanks and financial technology disruptors.
Need a corporate & commercial lawyer? Talk to Astris Law.
We work directly with our clients on corporate & commercial matters across Australia. No layers, no committees. One lawyer who understands your business completely.