--- title: "Corporate and Commercial Lawyers Brisbane | Astris Law" description: "Boutique commercial lawyers in Brisbane for directors and business owners. Company structures, contracts, M&A and disputes. Call (07) 3519 5616." lang: en-AU json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": [ "LegalService", "LocalBusiness" ], "@id": "https://www.astrislaw.com/#organization", "name": "Astris Law", "legalName": "Astris Law Pty Ltd", "alternateName": [ "Astrons General Counsel", "Phronesis Litigation", "HeadStart Counsel" ], "url": "https://www.astrislaw.com", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.astrislaw.com/android-chrome-512x512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 }, "image": "https://www.astrislaw.com/android-chrome-512x512.png", "description": "The Astris Law group gives directors and business owners the right legal capability for whatever their business needs, across corporate, disputes and regulatory. Not more lawyers than you need, the right one for the matter. Astris Law for one senior lawyer on high-stakes work, Astrons General Counsel for an embedded legal function, Phronesis Litigation for litigation intelligence, HeadStart Counsel for AML and CTF. One group, one standard, the right fit for each need.", "foundingDate": "2023", "founder": { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://www.astrislaw.com/attorney/jamie-nuich#person", "name": "Jamie Nuich", "jobTitle": "Legal Practitioner Director", "url": "https://www.astrislaw.com/attorney/jamie-nuich" }, "telephone": "+61735195616", "email": "mail@astrislaw.com", "contactPoint": [ { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+61735195616", "contactType": "customer service", "areaServed": "AU", "availableLanguage": "English", "hoursAvailable": "Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00" }, { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+61735195616", "contactType": "reservations", "name": "New matter intake", "areaServed": "AU", "availableLanguage": "English" } ], "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": "5.0", "reviewCount": 12, "bestRating": "5", "worstRating": "1" }, "review": [ { "@type": "Review", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Katherine, Director" }, "reviewBody": "Jamie is someone any entrepreneur looking to change the game needs on their side.", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5", "bestRating": "5", "worstRating": "1" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tracy, COO" }, "reviewBody": "Jamie was approachable, took the time to really understand our business, communicated well ...", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5", "bestRating": "5", "worstRating": "1" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Matthew, Director" }, "reviewBody": "... very educated in her field of law ...", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5", "bestRating": "5", "worstRating": "1" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jenny, Investor" }, "reviewBody": "For anyone needing a sharp, reliable lawyer, I can't recommend Jamie enough.", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5", "bestRating": "5", "worstRating": "1" } } ], "priceRange": "$$$", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "Level 2, 8 Clunies Ross Court", "addressLocality": "Eight Mile Plains", "addressRegion": "QLD", "postalCode": "4113", "addressCountry": "AU" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": -27.5783, "longitude": 153.0996 }, "hasMap": "https://maps.app.goo.gl/KcW4jYe7iW7jHYHp8", "areaServed": [ { "@type": "City", "name": "Brisbane" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Gold Coast" }, { "@type": "State", "name": "Queensland" }, { "@type": "Country", "name": "Australia" } ], "openingHoursSpecification": { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ], "opens": "08:30", "closes": "17:30" }, "knowsAbout": [ "Dispute Resolution & Litigation", "Insolvency & Restructuring", "Corporate & Commercial", "Employment & Workplace Relations", "Regulatory & Compliance", "Intellectual Property, Technology & Data", "Property", "Disciplinary Law", "Administrative Law & WHS", "Anti-Money Laundering (AML/CTF)", "Corporate Law", "Commercial Litigation", "Regulatory Compliance", "Financial Services Law", "Anti-Money Laundering", "FinTech Law", "Intellectual Property" ], "hasOfferCatalog": { "@type": "OfferCatalog", "name": "Legal services", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Dispute Resolution & Litigation", "description": "Strategic commercial litigation, debt recovery, injunctions and alternative dispute resolution for directors and business owners across Australia.", "url": "https://www.astrislaw.com/practice/dispute-resolution-litigation", "provider": { "@id": "https://www.astrislaw.com/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Corporate & Commercial", "description": "Corporate and commercial advice for directors and business owners: company structuring, M&A, shareholder agreements, commercial contracts and director duties.", "url": "https://www.astrislaw.com/commercial-lawyers-brisbane", "provider": { "@id": "https://www.astrislaw.com/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Employment & Workplace", "description": "Practical advice on Fair Work compliance, unfair dismissal, restraints of trade and workplace disputes for directors and business owners.", "url": "https://www.astrislaw.com/practice/employment-workplace-relations", "provider": { "@id": "https://www.astrislaw.com/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Regulatory & Compliance", "description": "Defending and advising on ASIC, ACCC, AUSTRAC, NDIS Commission, AHPRA and WorkCover investigations, AML/CTF programs and Australian Consumer Law compliance for regulated businesses and professionals.", "url": "https://www.astrislaw.com/practice/regulatory-compliance-consumer-law", "provider": { "@id": "https://www.astrislaw.com/#organization" } } } ] }, "member": [ { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://www.astrislaw.com/attorney/jamie-nuich#person", "name": "Jamie Nuich", "jobTitle": "Legal Practitioner Director", "url": "https://www.astrislaw.com/attorney/jamie-nuich", "image": "https://www.astrislaw.com/images/jamie-nuich-portrait.jpg", "hasCredential": [ { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "credentialCategory": "degree", "name": "Bachelor of Laws (Honours)" }, { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "credentialCategory": "degree", "name": "Bachelor of Business (Distinction)" }, { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "credentialCategory": "professional", "name": "Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland" }, { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "credentialCategory": "professional", "name": "Solicitor of the High Court of Australia" }, { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "credentialCategory": "certification", "name": "Nationally Accredited Mediator (NMAS)" } ], "memberOf": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Queensland Law Society" }, { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Australian Disputes Centre" } ], "sameAs": [ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamienuich/", "https://www.qls.com.au/register-of-solicitors/jamie-leanne-nuich", "https://www.youandthelaw.com.au/organisation/98611/astris-law-pty-ltd" ] } ], "sameAs": [ "https://astrons.astrislaw.com", "https://phronesis.astrislaw.com", "https://headstartcounsel.astrislaw.com", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/astris-law", "https://www.youandthelaw.com.au/organisation/98611/astris-law-pty-ltd", "https://maps.app.goo.gl/KcW4jYe7iW7jHYHp8", "https://lawzana.com/lawyer/astris-law", "https://www.gpmg.uk/awarded-companies/astris-law", "https://www.qls.com.au/register-of-solicitors/jamie-leanne-nuich", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamienuich/" ], "slogan": "You don't need more lawyers. You need the right one.", "subOrganization": [ { "@type": "LegalService", "@id": "https://astrons.astrislaw.com/#organization", "name": "Astrons General Counsel", "url": "https://astrons.astrislaw.com", "description": "External general counsel for established Australian businesses: embedded, partner-level legal support combining law firm depth with in-house continuity.", "parentOrganization": { "@id": "https://www.astrislaw.com/#organization" } }, { "@type": "LegalService", "name": "HeadStart Counsel", "url": "https://headstartcounsel.astrislaw.com", "description": "AML/CTF Tranche 2 compliance counsel for Australian professional services businesses.", "parentOrganization": { "@id": "https://www.astrislaw.com/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://phronesis.astrislaw.com/#organization", "name": "Phronesis Litigation", "url": "https://phronesis.astrislaw.com", "description": "Astris Law's in-house litigation intelligence engine: legal research at machine speed, strategy earlier and disputes run with fewer surprises.", "parentOrganization": { "@id": "https://www.astrislaw.com/#organization" } } ], "brand": [ { "@type": "Brand", "name": "Astrons General Counsel", "url": "https://astrons.astrislaw.com" }, { "@type": "Brand", "name": "Phronesis Litigation", "url": "https://phronesis.astrislaw.com" }, { "@type": "Brand", "name": "HeadStart Counsel", "url": "https://headstartcounsel.astrislaw.com" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://www.astrislaw.com/#website", "name": "Astris Law", "url": "https://www.astrislaw.com", "publisher": { "@id": "https://www.astrislaw.com/#organization" }, "inLanguage": "en-AU", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.astrislaw.com/articles?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "SiteNavigationElement", "@id": "https://www.astrislaw.com/#navigation", "name": "Main Navigation", "hasPart": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "name": "About", "url": "https://www.astrislaw.com/about" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "name": "The Group", "url": "https://www.astrislaw.com/philosophy" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "name": "Practice Areas", "url": "https://www.astrislaw.com/practice-areas" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "name": "Articles", "url": "https://www.astrislaw.com/articles" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "name": "Contact", "url": "https://www.astrislaw.com/contact" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Service", "name": "Corporate & Commercial - Astris Law", "description": "Boutique commercial lawyers in Brisbane for directors and business owners. Company structures, contracts, M&A and disputes. Call (07) 3519 5616.", "url": "https://www.astrislaw.com/commercial-lawyers-brisbane", "mainEntityOfPage": "https://www.astrislaw.com/commercial-lawyers-brisbane", "serviceType": "Corporate & Commercial", "isPartOf": { "@type": "CollectionPage", "url": "https://www.astrislaw.com/practice-areas/corporate-commercial", "name": "Corporate & Commercial" }, "provider": { "@type": "LegalService", "@id": "https://www.astrislaw.com/#organization", "name": "Astris Law", "url": "https://www.astrislaw.com", "telephone": "+61735195616" }, "areaServed": "Brisbane, Queensland, Australia", "hasOfferCatalog": { "@type": "OfferCatalog", "name": "Corporate & Commercial Legal Services", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Company incorporation, ASIC registration and corporate structuring" }, "position": 1 }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Shareholder agreements, unitholders agreements and joint venture arrangements" }, "position": 2 }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Mergers, acquisitions, disposals and share/asset sales" }, "position": 3 }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Corporate governance, director duties and board advisory matters" }, "position": 4 }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Commercial contract drafting, review and negotiation" }, "position": 5 }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Due diligence, transaction documentation and completion mechanics" }, "position": 6 }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Business succession planning and exit strategies" }, "position": 7 }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Franchise agreements, distribution arrangements and agency contracts" }, "position": 8 } ] } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What does a commercial lawyer in Brisbane do?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A commercial lawyer advises businesses on company structuring, shareholder agreements, contracts, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance and commercial disputes. In Brisbane that usually means acting for directors and business owners on both transactions and the disputes that come out of them." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is Astris Law a boutique commercial law firm in Brisbane?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Astris Law is a boutique commercial law firm based in Eight Mile Plains, Brisbane, acting for directors and business owners. You deal directly with the senior lawyer on your matter, not a team of juniors." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much does a commercial lawyer in Brisbane cost?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "It depends on the matter. Most work is charged at an hourly rate or as a fixed fee for a defined task such as a company set-up, contract review or shareholder agreement. Astris Law gives a clear fee estimate before any work starts and can agree fixed or retainer arrangements for ongoing advice." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I choose the right commercial lawyer in Brisbane?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Look for someone who handles matters like yours directly, gives you a straight read on cost and risk early and is senior enough to make the call without escalating. Ask who will actually run your matter, how they charge and what they think the real risk is. The answers tell you most of what you need to know." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the difference between corporate and commercial law?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Corporate law deals with the structure and governance of a company, including shareholders, directors and compliance. Commercial law deals with the day-to-day legal side of running a business, including contracts, transactions and disputes. Astris Law works across both." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need a shareholder agreement for my company?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A shareholder agreement is not mandatory, but any company with more than one shareholder should have one. Without it, disputes over share transfers, dividends, deadlock and exits fall back on the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and the company constitution, which rarely deal with them well." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do commercial lawyers go to court?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, when a dispute cannot be resolved by negotiation or mediation. Most commercial matters settle, but a commercial litigator runs the ones that need a binding decision through to judgment." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the key director duties under the Corporations Act?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Directors have statutory duties under sections 180 to 184 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), including to act with care and diligence, in good faith and in the best interests of the company, not to misuse their position or information and to prevent insolvent trading. Breach can mean civil penalties, disqualification and personal liability." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the Trusts Act 2025 (Qld) affect business and family trust structures?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The Trusts Act 2025 (Qld) commenced on 28 April 2026 and applies to every Queensland trust, including trusts created before that date. It imposes minimum trustee duties that cannot be excluded by the deed, gives beneficiaries stronger information and recovery rights and modernises trustee powers and investment rules. Businesses operating through trading trusts and families with discretionary trusts should have their deeds reviewed against the new mandatory provisions." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.astrislaw.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Practice Areas", "item": "https://www.astrislaw.com/practice-areas" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Corporate & Commercial", "item": "https://www.astrislaw.com/commercial-lawyers-brisbane" } ] } ] --- [Skip to main content](#main-content) The Astris Law Group Astris Astris Law [Astrons Astrons General Counsel ](https://astrons.astrislaw.com)[Phronesis Phronesis Litigation ](https://phronesis.astrislaw.com)[HeadStart HeadStart Counsel ](https://headstartcounsel.astrislaw.com) [![Astris Law S Icon](/assets/astris-logo-icon-kBkGra_r.png)![Astris Law](/assets/astris-logo-full-wbEHTWR5.png)](/) [About](/about)[The Group](/philosophy)[Practice Areas](/practice-areas)[Articles](/articles)[Contact](/contact)[Start here](/contact) # Commercial Lawyers Brisbane ![Corporate & Commercial - Astris Law Brisbane commercial law firm](/assets/corporate-commercial-COYSRFdC.jpg) [← Back to Corporate & Commercial](/practice-areas/corporate-commercial) ## 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 directors and business owners on the full range of corporate and commercial matters. From incorporating a new company to negotiating a shareholder agreement for a joint venture or working through due diligence 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. ## What does a commercial lawyer do? A commercial lawyer advises businesses on the legal side of running and growing a company. That covers company structures, shareholder agreements, contracts, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance and disputes. The work spans both the deals you do and the problems you want to avoid or resolve. A good commercial lawyer keeps your commercial goal at the centre and tells you where the legal risk actually sits. ## When do you need a commercial lawyer in Brisbane? You want one before you sign, not after it goes wrong. The common triggers are setting up or restructuring a company, taking on a business partner, buying or selling a business, signing a major contract, raising capital or facing a shareholder dispute or a regulator. Bringing a commercial lawyer in early is almost always cheaper than fixing the problem later. ## How much does a commercial lawyer in Brisbane cost? Fees depend on the matter. Most commercial work is charged either at an hourly rate or as a fixed fee for a defined piece of work, such as a company set-up, a contract review or a shareholder agreement. At Astris Law you get a clear fee estimate before any work starts, and for ongoing advice we can agree a fixed monthly or retainer arrangement. Our pricing page sets out the approach. ## 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. [Call (07) 3519 5616](tel:+61735195616)[Send an Enquiry](/contact) ## Is Astris a boutique commercial law firm in Brisbane? Yes. Astris Law is a boutique commercial law firm in Brisbane, based at Brisbane Technology Park in Eight Mile Plains, acting for directors and business owners across Brisbane and Queensland. Boutique means you deal directly with the senior lawyer running your matter rather than a team of juniors, and the firm takes on fewer matters so each one gets proper attention. ## What We Can Do Company incorporation, ASIC registration and corporate structuring Shareholder agreements, unitholders agreements and joint venture arrangements Mergers, acquisitions, disposals and share/asset sales Corporate governance, director duties and board advisory matters Commercial contract drafting, review and negotiation Due diligence, transaction documentation and completion mechanics Business succession planning and exit strategies Franchise agreements, distribution arrangements and agency contracts ## Our Special Interests Structuring complex multi-party transactions and corporate reorganisations Navigating ASIC, FIRB and regulatory approval processes Managing shareholder disputes, deadlocks and oppression claims Implementing governance frameworks and director indemnities ## Key Legislation & Frameworks Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ASIC Act 2001 Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 Competition and Consumer Act 2010 Franchising Code of Conduct ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What does a commercial lawyer in Brisbane do? A commercial lawyer advises businesses on company structuring, shareholder agreements, contracts, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance and commercial disputes. In Brisbane that usually means acting for directors and business owners on both transactions and the disputes that come out of them. ### Is Astris Law a boutique commercial law firm in Brisbane? Yes. Astris Law is a boutique commercial law firm based in Eight Mile Plains, Brisbane, acting for directors and business owners. You deal directly with the senior lawyer on your matter, not a team of juniors. ### How much does a commercial lawyer in Brisbane cost? It depends on the matter. Most work is charged at an hourly rate or as a fixed fee for a defined task such as a company set-up, contract review or shareholder agreement. Astris Law gives a clear fee estimate before any work starts and can agree fixed or retainer arrangements for ongoing advice. ### How do I choose the right commercial lawyer in Brisbane? Look for someone who handles matters like yours directly, gives you a straight read on cost and risk early and is senior enough to make the call without escalating. Ask who will actually run your matter, how they charge and what they think the real risk is. The answers tell you most of what you need to know. ### What is the difference between corporate and commercial law? Corporate law deals with the structure and governance of a company, including shareholders, directors and compliance. Commercial law deals with the day-to-day legal side of running a business, including contracts, transactions and disputes. Astris Law works across both. ### Do I need a shareholder agreement for my company? A shareholder agreement is not mandatory, but any company with more than one shareholder should have one. Without it, disputes over share transfers, dividends, deadlock and exits fall back on the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and the company constitution, which rarely deal with them well. ### Do commercial lawyers go to court? Yes, when a dispute cannot be resolved by negotiation or mediation. Most commercial matters settle, but a commercial litigator runs the ones that need a binding decision through to judgment. ### What are the key director duties under the Corporations Act? Directors have statutory duties under sections 180 to 184 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), including to act with care and diligence, in good faith and in the best interests of the company, not to misuse their position or information and to prevent insolvent trading. Breach can mean civil penalties, disqualification and personal liability. ### How does the Trusts Act 2025 (Qld) affect business and family trust structures? The Trusts Act 2025 (Qld) commenced on 28 April 2026 and applies to every Queensland trust, including trusts created before that date. It imposes minimum trustee duties that cannot be excluded by the deed, gives beneficiaries stronger information and recovery rights and modernises trustee powers and investment rules. Businesses operating through trading trusts and families with discretionary trusts should have their deeds reviewed against the new mandatory provisions. ## Resource Centres [ ### Director Liability in Australia: The Complete Resource Every source of personal liability for Australian directors in one place: insolvent trading, directors duties, ATO director penalty notices, WHS officer duties and ACL penalties. ](/director-liability)[ ### Trusts Act 2025 (Qld): A Complete Guide to Queensland's New Trust Laws The Trusts Act 2025 (Qld) commenced on 28 April 2026 and now governs every Queensland trust. Our guide covers the new trustee duties, beneficiary rights and what to review in existing trust deeds. ](/article/trusts-act-2025-qld) ## Insights & Publications [View all](/articles) [ ![When Your AI Agent Gets It Wrong, Who Is Liable? - Astris Law legal insights](/images/articles/ai-agent-empty-seat.jpg) Insights ### When Your AI Agent Gets It Wrong, Who Is Liable? 22 June 2026 Agentic AI, software that does not just answer questions but acts on them, is moving from pilot to production across Australian business. The harder question for directors is narrower. When an agent makes a mistake, who is liable? The decided cases give a consistent answer, and it is not a comfortable one. Most likely, it is the business that deployed the agent. This article looks at what Trivago, Air Canada and Quoine tell us, why a vendor's terms will not save you, the compliance obligations now arriving and what boards should do. Read more ](/article/ai-agent-liability-who-is-responsible)[ ![Masters v Cameron Turns 72 This Year. People Still Get Caught by It - Astris Law legal insights](/images/articles/handshake-deal-cafe.jpg) Insights ### Masters v Cameron Turns 72 This Year. People Still Get Caught by It 19 June 2026 The law on when a negotiation becomes binding has been settled since 1954, when the High Court decided Masters v Cameron. So it was surprising to see the Supreme Court of Victoria, in Papanastassis v Papanastassis \[2026\] VSC 302, hold a party to an $8.5 million settlement deed they had never signed. Nothing about the law was new. The argument was about which Masters v Cameron category the parties had landed in, and the answer cost the losing side the deal. This article sets out the categories, explains which one the case fell into and how to stay free to walk away until you sign. Read more ](/article/masters-v-cameron-when-negotiations-become-binding)[ ![Billed as Estate Planning, the 2026 Trust Tax Changes Are a Business Problem - Astris Law legal insights](/images/articles/jim_chalmers.jpg) Insights ### Billed as Estate Planning, the 2026 Trust Tax Changes Are a Business Problem 16 June 2026 The 2026-27 Budget's overhaul of trust and capital gains tax has been written up as an estate planning story, all wills and inheritances. That undersells it. Discretionary trusts are how a large share of Australian business is owned and run, so the same measures land on trading businesses, family enterprises and investors. The measures are real and far-reaching but not yet law. They would change the economics of owning a business through a trust, and there is a narrow window to restructure before they take effect. Read more ](/article/2026-trust-tax-changes-business-problem) ## Industries We Serve in Corporate & Commercial [ ### Banking, Private Equity & Venture Capital Strategic legal counsel for banks, private equity firms and venture capital funds. ](/industry/banking)[ ### Construction & Infrastructure Legal support for construction contracts, infrastructure projects and building disputes in Queensland and Australia. ](/industry/construction)[ ### Fintech Innovative legal solutions for payment platforms, neobanks and financial technology disruptors. ](/industry/fintech) ### Discuss Your Situation Get a brief, no-obligation call to understand your options. Commercial Law I have read the [Collection Notice](/collection-notice) and consent to Astris Law collecting and handling my personal information as it and the [Privacy Policy](/privacy) describe. Request a Call [(07) 3519 5616](tel:+61735195616) ## 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. [(07) 3519 5616](tel:+61735195616)[Send Enquiry](/contact) ## Other Practice Areas [Property ](/practice/property)[Intellectual Property, Technology & Data ](/practice/intellectual-property-technology-data)[Industry-Specific Services ](/practice/industry-specific-services) [View all Corporate & Commercial services →](/practice-areas/corporate-commercial) [![Astris Law S Icon](/assets/astris-logo-icon-kBkGra_r.png)![Astris Law](/assets/astris-logo-full-wbEHTWR5.png)](/) You don't need more lawyers. You need the right one. ### Firm - [About](/about) - [The Astris Law Group](/philosophy) - [People](/team) - [Jamie Nuich](/attorney/jamie-nuich) - [Articles](/articles) - [Resources](/resources) - [Pricing & Fees](/pricing) - [Contact](/contact) ### Services - [Dispute Resolution & Litigation](/practice/dispute-resolution-litigation) - [Corporate & Commercial](/commercial-lawyers-brisbane) - [Insolvency & Restructuring](/practice/insolvency-restructuring) - [Employment & Workplace](/practice/employment-workplace-relations) - [Regulatory & Compliance](/practice/regulatory-compliance-consumer-law) - [Intellectual Property & Tech](/practice/intellectual-property-technology-data) - [Property](/practice/property) - [Disciplinary Law](/practice/disciplinary-law) - [Administrative Law & WHS](/practice/administrative-law-whs) - [Digital Assets](/digital-assets-australia) - [Regulated Market Entry](/regulated-market-entry) - [Regulatory Investigations](/regulatory-investigations-lawyers) ### Get in Touch - [The Legal Strategy Call](/consultation) - [Refer a Client](/referrals) - [(07) 3519 5616](tel:+61735195616) - [mail@astrislaw.com](mailto:mail@astrislaw.com) - [ Astris Law Level 2, 8 Clunies Ross Court Eight Mile Plains QLD 4113 Australia ](https://maps.app.goo.gl/KcW4jYe7iW7jHYHp8) ![Astris Law - Accredited Member of Queensland Law Society](/assets/qls-member-logo-DexInE_X.png)[![Lawzana Top Law Firm](https://lawzana.com/assets/badges/verified-law-firm.svg?v=2)](https://lawzana.com/lawyer/astris-law)[![Lawyer International Legal 100 2026 Winner](/assets/lawyer-international-legal-100-2026-CflMKG1C.png)](https://www.gpmg.uk/awarded-companies/astris-law) [The Astris Law Group](/philosophy) Astris Law The Right Lawyer [Astrons General Counsel](https://astrons.astrislaw.com) The Right Legal Partner [Phronesis Litigation](https://phronesis.astrislaw.com) The Right Intelligence [HeadStart Counsel](https://headstartcounsel.astrislaw.com) The Right AML Advice © Astris Law Pty Ltd ACN 662 641 269. Astrons General Counsel, Phronesis Litigation and HeadStart Counsel are the registered trading names of Astris Law Pty Ltd. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. [About](/about)[Contact](/contact)[Privacy Policy](/privacy)[Collection Notice](/collection-notice)[Terms of Service](/terms)Cookie Preferences [](tel:+61735195616) Cookies on by default · [Privacy](/privacy) SettingsOK