Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyers Australia
Summary
Astris Law represents clients in commercial litigation across Australian courts including the Supreme Court, Federal Court and tribunals. Services include debt recovery, statutory demands, injunctions, mediation, arbitration, shareholder disputes and regulatory proceedings under the Corporations Act 2001 and Uniform Civil Procedure Rules.
Overview
When disputes arise, effective resolution requires both strategic thinking and decisive action. Astris Law's litigation practice combines rigorous legal analysis with commercial pragmatism. We can represent clients in the Supreme Court, District Court, Federal Court and tribunals across Australia, from initial demand letters through to complex appellate proceedings, always with an eye toward achieving optimal outcomes efficiently.
How We Help
Astris Law represents Brisbane businesses and directors in commercial litigation across the Supreme Court of Queensland, District Court, Federal Court and tribunals. We handle the full lifecycle of a dispute — from the initial demand letter through to trial and, where necessary, appeal. Our focus is on achieving the best commercial outcome, whether that means resolving a matter early through negotiation or mediation, or prosecuting it through to judgment.
Commercial disputes arise from broken contracts, unpaid debts, shareholder disagreements, breaches of director duties, professional negligence and regulatory action. We advise on debt recovery including statutory demands under the Corporations Act 2001, urgent interlocutory applications including injunctions and freezing orders, and complex multi-party proceedings under the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules. For Brisbane businesses facing ASIC or ACCC investigations that have escalated to enforcement proceedings, we provide defence representation in court.
A key advantage of Astris Law's litigation practice is Jamie Nuich's advocacy capability. As an experienced court advocate, she appears in applications, interlocutory hearings and trials without the need to brief external barristers. This saves clients significant costs — briefing counsel on a commercial matter can add tens of thousands of dollars to litigation expenses. Where the complexity or specialist nature of a matter does warrant engaging counsel, we brief selectively and manage the engagement efficiently.
Common Situations
- A customer or business partner owes your company a significant debt and has ignored demands for payment
- A former business partner or shareholder is breaching a restraint, misusing confidential information or competing unfairly
- You need an urgent injunction or freezing order to prevent a party from dissipating assets or continuing harmful conduct
- A supplier, contractor or joint venture partner has breached a commercial contract and you need to recover losses
- Your company has received a statutory demand and you need to apply to set it aside within 21 days
- A shareholder dispute has escalated to the point where oppression proceedings or a winding up application is necessary
Why Astris Law
Astris Law's principal appears as advocate in the Supreme Court and District Court of Queensland, running applications, interlocutory hearings and trials directly — without briefing external barristers — which delivers substantial cost savings for Brisbane clients. You get the strategic depth of a larger practice with direct principal access throughout the matter.
What We Can Do
Our Special Interests
Key Legislation & Frameworks
Frequently Asked Questions
What is commercial litigation in Australia?
Commercial litigation in Australia involves resolving business disputes through court proceedings, including contract disputes, debt recovery, shareholder disputes, professional negligence claims and regulatory investigations. Cases may be heard in the Supreme Court, District Court, Federal Court or relevant tribunals depending on the nature and value of the dispute.
How does debt recovery work in Australia?
Debt recovery in Australia typically starts with a letter of demand, followed by a statutory demand (for company debts) or court proceedings if the debt remains unpaid. Options include applying for default judgment, pursuing enforcement through garnishee orders, property seizure or winding-up applications for insolvent companies.
What is an injunction and when can I get one in Australia?
An injunction is a court order requiring a party to do or refrain from doing something. In Australia, you can seek urgent interlocutory injunctions, freezing orders (Mareva injunctions) or asset preservation orders when there is a serious question to be tried and the balance of convenience favours granting the order. These are typically sought in the Supreme Court or Federal Court.
How long does commercial litigation take in Australia?
Commercial litigation in Australia can take anywhere from several months to several years depending on the complexity of the dispute, the court and whether settlement is achieved. Simple debt recovery matters may be resolved within 3-6 months. Complex Supreme Court or Federal Court proceedings involving multiple parties and extensive discovery can take 2-3 years or more to reach trial.
What alternatives to court litigation exist in Australia?
Australian businesses can resolve disputes through mediation, arbitration, expert determination and conciliation without going to court. Mediation is a voluntary negotiation facilitated by a neutral mediator. Arbitration results in a binding decision by an arbitrator. Many commercial contracts include mandatory dispute resolution clauses requiring mediation or arbitration before court proceedings can be commenced.
Insights & Publications
View all
Recovering Legal Costs in Queensland Courts, Federal Courts and QCAT
10 May 2026
A practical guide to how legal costs recovery works in Australia, covering costs orders, scale costs, the assessment process, settlement offers and their consequences, interlocutory costs, the threshold for indemnity costs, no-costs jurisdictions and the recent High Court decisions that changed the rules for lawyers recovering their own costs.
Read more![Lavercombe v LSC [2023]-[2026]: Six years, five decisions and a tiered costs order - Astris Law legal insights](/images/articles/qcat.jpg)
Lavercombe v LSC [2023]-[2026]: Six years, five decisions and a tiered costs order
20 April 2026
A 27-minute phone call in April 2020 has taken six years and five tribunal decisions to resolve. Brisbane solicitor James Lavercombe of JML Rose has cleared the rule 33 breach alleged against him and secured a mixed costs order that is partly indemnity and partly standard. A rare practitioner win and a careful study in why particulars matter, why agency cannot be assumed and why costs in regulatory work are seldom a blunt instrument.
Read moreQCAT Lawyer: When You Need Legal Help at the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal
10 April 2026
QCAT is designed to be accessible. It is not a court. It is a tribunal, and the default position is that parties represent themselves. But “accessible” does not mean “simple”. This guide covers what QCAT handles, when a lawyer can represent you, leave under section 43, costs, enforcement and the practical steps for getting the best outcome.
Read moreIndustries We Serve in Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Construction & Infrastructure
Legal support for construction contracts, infrastructure projects and building disputes in Queensland and Australia.
Banking, Private Equity & Venture Capital
Strategic legal counsel for banks, private equity firms and venture capital funds.
Insurance
Legal services for insurers, brokers, underwriters and policyholders.
Need a dispute resolution & litigation lawyer? Talk to Astris Law.
We work directly with our clients on dispute resolution & litigation matters across Australia. No layers, no committees. One lawyer who understands your business completely.