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Contractors

Explore our capabilities

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Why partner with us?
 

The cost of client acquisition for Contractors is too high to risk losing clients over a disagreement. Contractor's should also be motivated to avoid spending time on non-revenue generating activities and undoubtedly, it’s in their interest to resolve their disagreements as efficiently and cost effectively as possible.  

This works in two ways, firstly ensuring contracts and agreements are fit-for-purpose and compliant will minimise disputes, and secondly, having access to proactive legal support keeps costs to a minimum.


This just happens to be what we’re passionate about, and very good at. We pride ourselves in supporting Contractors to find the least-cost approach to minimising contract disputes, and cultivate sustainable relationships with their clients, with minimal disruption to their business.  


We also acknowledge and appreciate that the last thing Contractors need when they're in a dispute over unpaid invoices is another bill. That’s why we offer Fixed Fee and Capped Fee Services with no hidden costs.  We also don’t request up-front-payments, and we offer the most flexible post-performance payment plans in the market.

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Our Services

  1. Business Structure and Registration: We provide contractors with advice on the most suitable business structure (sole trader, partnership, company, or trust) based on their circumstances, tax implications, and liability exposure. We also provide assistance with business registration, including obtaining an Australian Business Number (ABN) Australian Company Number (ACN), registering for GST if applicable, and establishing Companies and Trusts.

  2. Risk Management: We guide and support contractors with advice on the most cost effective way to manage risks related to client disputes, market fluctuations, and operational challenges.

  3. Contract dispute resolution: Unpaid invoices and contract breaches are at the top of the list if issues Contractors face on a regular basis. We assist by assessing our clients case and providing proactive legal advice and support to help them negotiate their dispute to a successful outcome cost effectively, without damaging their business relationship.

  4. Contract drafting and review: A Contractors scope of work, deadlines, payment terms and other essential details are all secured through their contracts and agreements.  We support Contractors to ensure that they're operating under clear, fair, and enforceable contracts with their clients, minimising disputes, and freeing up their time for revenue-generating activities.

  5. Employment law advice & Protection from sham contracting arrangements: Businesses sometimes inadvertently set up sham contracting arrangements, or set them up deliberately to avoid paying legal entitlements. For example, business regularly misclassify employees as Contractors when they are actually employees to avoid the need to pay entitlements. We assist Contractors to ensure that their arrangements do not put them at risk of misclassification. 

  6. Defense against unfair contracts: We assist Contractors who trade with small business to review their contracts and agreements to ensure they comply with the 2023 amendments to Australian Consumer Law concerning unfair terms in standard form contracts.

  7. Taxation and Superannuation Advice: We support Contractors navigate their complex tax obligations, including Goods and Services Tax (GST) and income tax, as well as their eligibility for superannuation contributions to achieve compliance, and ensure that there are no surprises at the end of the financial year.

  8. Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Compliance: Contractors need to comply a myriad of WHS laws, which vary from industry to industry. We help ensure their work practices meet these standards economically.

  9. Insurance Guidance: We provide advice to ensure contractors are adequately insured, including public liability, professional indemnity, and workers' compensation coverage where applicable.

  10. Work Rights and Visa Requirements: We guide and support new Australians in navigating their right to work and visa situations, ensuring they can sustain themselves while pursuing residency.

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Our Approach

  1. Initial Consultation: Hands down, the most cost-effective way to gather information about the nature and circumstances of your legal inquiry is through a video conference. A video call allows us to determine if we’re a good fit for each other and to narrow down the scope of work we can offer, including the payment method that works best for you.

  2. Cost Agreement: If we agree to work together, we’ll provide you with a letter (Engagement Letter), together with the quote for legal services (the Work Proposal), our business terms (Business Terms) and schedule of Fees and Charges (Fees & Charges) (Collectively the Cost Agreement) setting out the terms of our offer to provide you legal services in accordance with our Costs Agreement and disclosure obligations under the Legal Profession Act 2007.

  3. Information Gathering: Once you accept our Cost Agreement, we’ll send you a detailed list of the information we need from you to complete our legal analysis. This process ensures that we have all the necessary details to provide accurate and effective legal advice.  

  4. Legal Analysis: Next we’ll conduct a thorough legal analysis based on the information provided.

  5. Advice & Strategy: After we have reviewed and analysed all relevant documents, we will carry out the legal services within the Work Proposal, provide you with tailored advice and propose a strategy to address your legal issues.

  6. Ongoing Support: Throughout the process, we provide ongoing support and updates to ensure you are informed and confident in the steps being taken.

  7. Billing: Once all the work in the Work Proposal is completed, we’ll Bill you using the method agreed during our initial consultation as set out in our Cost Agreement.​

  8. Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution: Consistent with our least-cost negotiation philosophy, our Fixed Fee service is designed to provide proactive advice to help you resolve your dispute as informally and efficiently as possible, and Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution is not included. Should you wish to commence litigation, mediation, or arbitration, we will provide you with an Additional Work Proposal.  If we are unable to assist you, we will find a specialist lawyer who can.

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