Services
Commercial & Business Law
Commercial and Business Lawyers Providing Practical Advice
We advise business owners, companies, investors and organisations on commercial and business law matters across Central Otago and throughout New Zealand.
Our focus is on providing clear, commercially sound advice that supports business decisions, manages risk and helps clients move forward with confidence.
Overview
Businesses require legal advice at all stages of their lifecycle, from formation and growth through to sale, restructuring or succession.
We advise on a wide range of commercial and business matters, including business sales and purchases, company structuring, shareholder arrangements, commercial contracts, governance, financing and joint ventures. Our role is to provide advice that is practical, efficient and aligned with our clients’ commercial objectives.
Many commercial matters overlap with property, employment or rural business issues. Where that occurs, we work closely across those areas to ensure clients receive coordinated advice.
Our Experience
We advise on a broad range of commercial and business matters, including:
- Sale and purchase of businesses
- Asset sales and share sales
- Commercial contracts
- Company structuring and restructuring
- Shareholder agreements and constitutions
- Directors’ duties and governance
- Financing arrangements
- Joint ventures and business partnerships
- Franchising matters
- Ongoing commercial advisory work
We act for a wide range of businesses, from owner-operated enterprises through to larger commercial and agribusiness operations.
Business sales and purchases
We advise buyers and sellers on the legal and commercial issues involved in business transactions.
This includes:
- Asset and share sale transactions
- Due diligence and transaction planning
- Drafting and negotiating sale agreements
- Conditions, warranties and risk allocation
- Post-settlement obligations and transition issues
Business structuring and ownership
Appropriate legal structuring is essential for managing risk and supporting long-term objectives.
We assist with:
- Company formation and structuring
- Partnership arrangements
- Joint venture structures
- Shareholder arrangements
- Restructuring of business ownership
Commercial contracts
Clear and properly drafted contracts are critical to business operations.
We advise on:
- Supply and service agreements
- Terms of trade
- Outsourcing arrangements
- Joint venture agreements
- Bespoke commercial contracts
Our focus is on ensuring documentation is commercially workable and legally effective.
Governance and directors’ duties
We advise directors, shareholders and business owners on governance and decision-making issues.
This includes:
- Directors’ duties and obligations
- Governance structures
- Company constitutions
- Shareholder rights and responsibilities
- Decision-making and dispute prevention
Financing and business transactions
Many business decisions involve financing, security or investment arrangements.
We assist with:
- Legal aspects of financing arrangements
- Review of lending and security documentation
- Capital raising structures
- Advice on transaction risk and obligations
Partnerships, joint ventures and growth
Where businesses are expanding, collaborating or changing direction, clear legal advice is often essential.
We advise on:
- Joint venture arrangements
- Partnership formation and dissolution
- Expansion and acquisition planning
- Growth-related legal structuring
Who We Act For
We act for:
- Business owners and entrepreneurs
- Shareholders and directors
- Family businesses
- Investors and joint venture parties
- Rural and agribusiness operators
- Professional and commercial service businesses
Why Checketts McKay
We offer:
- Practical and commercially focused advice
- Strong experience in business transactions and structuring
- Clear drafting and negotiation of commercial documents
- Advice tailored to owner-operated and growth businesses
- Coordinated support across related property, employment and rural issues
Our role is not simply to document transactions. We work with clients to understand their businesses, their objectives and the practical outcomes they are trying to achieve.
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