Business Sale and Purchase Lawyers Sydney

Buy or sell a business with confidence, backed by thorough due diligence and contracts that protect your position.

Buying or selling a business is a major transaction with legal risk on both sides. Hidden liabilities, unfavourable contract terms, or a poorly handled settlement can turn a good deal into a costly one. As part of our broader business and commercial practice, our lawyers protect your interests at every stage, from the first offer through to completion. We act for buyers and sellers of businesses of all sizes across Sydney.

Our Business Sale and Purchase Services

Drafting and reviewing the contract for the sale of business.
Conducting legal due diligence on the business, its contracts, and its liabilities.
Negotiating the transfer or assignment of the premises lease.
Advising on the transfer of employees and their entitlements.
Drafting restraint of trade provisions that protect the goodwill being bought or sold.
Managing settlement, adjustments, and completion requirements.

How Buying or Selling a Business Works

Most business sales follow a similar path: the parties agree on the key commercial terms, the buyer conducts due diligence, a contract for the sale of business is negotiated and exchanged, conditions such as landlord consent to a lease assignment are satisfied, and the transaction completes with the transfer of assets, employees, and any required licences. Each stage carries legal risk, which is why advice before you commit is essential.

Why Choose V.S. George Lawyers for Your Business Transaction

The problems in a business sale are far cheaper to prevent than to fix. Working with our team helps you avoid pitfalls such as:

Inheriting undisclosed debts, disputes, or contract obligations.
Losing the premises because the lease was not properly assigned.
Underestimating employee entitlements that transfer with the business.
A seller competing against the very business they have just sold you.

We combine legal precision with commercial judgement, so your transaction completes smoothly and your position is protected.

How V.S. George Lawyers Can Help

On your business sale or purchase, our team will:

Guide you from heads of agreement through to completion.
Flag the risks in the due diligence material before you are legally bound.
Coordinate with your accountant on structure, tax, and settlement adjustments.
Manage conditions and deadlines, including landlord consent to the lease assignment.
Draft restraints of trade that protect the goodwill changing hands.

Speak with a Business Sale and Purchase Lawyer in Sydney

Whether you are buying your first business or selling one you have built, our team is ready to help.

Ready to speak with our team? Visit our contact page or call 02 9150 6991 to arrange a confidential discussion.

FAQs

What does due diligence involve when buying a business?

Due diligence is the investigation of the business before you are legally bound to buy it. It typically covers the financial records, the premises lease, key contracts with suppliers and customers, employee arrangements, licences, and any disputes or liabilities. Legal due diligence identifies risks so they can be addressed in the contract before you commit.

Is stamp duty payable when buying a business in NSW?

Transfer duty is no longer payable on most business assets in NSW, such as goodwill and intellectual property. Duty can still apply where the transaction includes land or an interest in land, so the structure of the deal matters and should be confirmed before exchange.

What happens to employees when a business is sold?

Employees may transfer to the buyer with their accrued entitlements, or their employment may end with the seller responsible for those entitlements. The contract should clearly deal with which employees transfer and how leave and other entitlements are adjusted at settlement.

What is a restraint of trade in a business sale?

A restraint of trade prevents the seller from competing with the business, soliciting its customers, or poaching its staff for a defined period and area after the sale. A well-drafted restraint protects the goodwill the buyer is paying for while remaining enforceable.

Do I need a lawyer to buy or sell a business?

Yes. The contract for the sale of business, the lease assignment, and the settlement adjustments are legally technical, and mistakes are expensive to unwind. A lawyer protects your position before you sign and manages the transaction through to completion.