Commercial Law Advice
Genuine, Invested, Effective
•
Pono, Ngākaunui, Whaihua
•
Genuine, Invested, Effective • Pono, Ngākaunui, Whaihua •
Staley Cardoza is a boutique law firm located in the heart of Dunedin, in the lower Octagon.
Genuine, Invested, Effective
•
Pono, Ngākaunui, Whaihua
•
Genuine, Invested, Effective • Pono, Ngākaunui, Whaihua •
Staley Cardoza has supported Otago businesses with commercial law advice for more than 25 years, from the day a business first opens its doors through to a full sale or restructure.
As trusted business lawyers in Otago, our approach stays the same for every client: understand what you actually need, then give you a straightforward answer.
Business Lawyers Who Understand Dunedin Business
Running a business rarely fits neatly into one area of law, which is why our business lawyers work across formation, contracts, leasing and disputes rather than treating each matter in isolation. Whether you’re setting up a new company, taking on a commercial lease, or buying an existing business, you’ll deal directly with one of our experienced business solicitors, not a rotating cast of junior staff.
If you need a commercial lawyer for a single transaction rather than ongoing advice, that works, too. Plenty of clients come to us for one specific matter, such as reviewing a supplier agreement or negotiating a lease, and stay in touch for the next thing when it comes up.
Most of our commercial clients fall into one of a few groups:
Hospitality and retail operators dealing with lease renewals and supplier terms
Trades and professional services firms formalising partnerships or taking on staff for the first time
Small to medium businesses working through a sale, purchase or succession plan
Dunedin’s mix of tourism, students, and established local trade means the commercial questions we see tend to repeat, and that familiarity is part of what keeps the advice practical rather than generic.
Contact us at Staley Cardoza today.
Commercial Property, Contracts and Business Structuring
Our legal services support Otago businesses through every stage of their journey. We assist with reviewing and negotiating commercial leases, preparing and checking contracts and supplier agreements, and advising on the right business structure, whether that's a company, partnership, or trust.
We also manage business sale and purchase transactions, guiding clients through due diligence, negotiations, and settlement. Julie Mander's experience in governance and the charitable sector provides additional support for clients who need advice on trusts, incorporated societies, and not-for-profit organisations, alongside our broader commercial law services.
Get in touch with our team of commercial lawyers to talk through what you’re dealing with, whether it’s a single contract or an ongoing relationship as your business grows.
Our friendly team welcomes enquiries.
We value the client relationships we build.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Yes. Staley Cardoza has been based in the lower Octagon since 1998, and a good portion of our commercial work comes from existing clients referring other business owners they know. That local track record is worth asking about directly if you want references before you commit.
-
The day-to-day work is broader than most people expect, and typically includes:
Reviewing and negotiating commercial leases before you sign
Drafting and checking supplier, customer and partnership agreements
Advising on business structure, including companies, partnerships and trusts
Managing business sale and purchase agreements from due diligence to settlement
-
Our commercial lawyers deal with business matters every week rather than occasionally, so we’ve already seen most of the situations that come up for Otago businesses. That means fewer surprises, faster turnaround on standard documents, and advice that reflects what actually happens in practice rather than the textbook version.
-
Yes, and it’s worth doing before you sign anything rather than after. A short conversation early on often avoids a much more expensive fix later, particularly around company structure, founder agreements and initial contracts.
-
Yes. We regularly work alongside accountants, other advisers handling different aspects of a transaction, and financial advisers to keep everyone aligned rather than duplicating work or giving conflicting advice.
-
A first meeting runs more efficiently if you come with a rough outline of the situation and whatever paperwork already exists. Useful things to bring include:
Any existing contracts, leases or agreements related to the matter
A short summary of what you’re trying to achieve and by when
Details of any other advisers already involved, such as an accountant or broker
-
It depends on the size and complexity of the matter, from a single lease review through to a full business sale. We’ll give you a clear estimate before starting work, and flag early if anything changes the scope, so there are no surprises on the final bill.