Business Disputes Lawyers
A disagreement with a business partner, co-director, or fellow shareholder rarely goes unnoticed for long. Left alone, it drains cash flow, distracts management and can put the whole business at risk.
At Roberts Litigation, we act for Brisbane and Gold Coast business owners, directors, and shareholders in disputes over contracts, ownership, control, and money, moving quickly to protect your position.
Proud Member Of:
What Counts as a Business Dispute?
A business dispute is any conflict between the people or entities running a company over money owed, decisions made, or who has the right to do what. The most common types of disputes we see involve shareholder and director disagreements, breaches of contract, and disputes over the direction or sale of a company. Each has a different legal pathway, so getting advice early shapes everything that follows.
Shareholder & Director Disputes
A shareholder dispute lawyer's first job is working out whether conduct crosses the line into oppression, a legal test, not just a personality clash. Under section 232 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act), a court can intervene where a company's affairs are being conducted in a way that's contrary to members' interests, or oppressive to, unfairly prejudicial to, or unfairly discriminatory against a shareholder. Importantly, you don't need to prove dishonesty; the court looks at the objective effect of the conduct.
Oppressive conduct claims often arise in circumstances where:
-
A minority shareholder is frozen out of management or information;
-
Business opportunities are diverted to a related entity controlled by the majority;
-
Dividends are withheld while directors extract value through excessive salaries or fees;
-
A shareholder’s stake in the company is diluted.
Where oppression is established, the Courts have broad discretion under section 233 of the Corporations Act to make orders, including a forced buyout (often without a discount for the shareholder being a minority holder), winding up the company, restraining specific conduct, or amending the company's constitution. Director disputes over governance, decision-making authority, or breaches of directors' duties under the Corporations Act often run alongside a shareholder claim and need advice early .
Partnership Disputes
Partnerships, including unregistered business partnerships and professional practices, carry their own legal framework. A partner who breaches the partnership agreement, withdraws capital improperly, or wants to force a dissolution creates urgent commercial exposure for everyone still in the business. Roberts Litigation advises on partnership agreement interpretation, buy-out and exit terms, and, where needed, formal dissolution proceedings.
Breach of Contract & Commercial Agreements
Many business disputes start with a contract or other agreement that has not been honoured, a supplier who did not deliver, a client who will not pay, or a party trying to walk away from terms they agreed to. Our practice is solutions focused, working with you to determine your best, commercial, outcome whether that be to seek damages, specific performance of the contract, or an injunction to prevent further harm or further diminution of the company’s assets.
A practical note: generally, litigation involves many deadlines and your entitlement to various remedies may be limited by your conduct, or statutory time limits. If you are facing a business dispute, seek advice early.
How We Resolve Business Disputes
Litigation is one tool, but it is not the only one. We will often work with clients prior to commencing (or defending) court proceedings to determine whether they may be benefit from alternative methods of dispute resolution, including:
-
Direct negotiation by setting out the position early and seeking to resolve a dispute before it escalates; and
-
Mediation, because it is generally faster and cheaper than court proceedings, and preserves commercial relationships worth keeping.
When to Get a Business Dispute Lawyer Involved
The earlier you get advice, the more options you have. Contact a business dispute lawyer as soon as you notice that you are being excluded from management decisions, there are unexplained financial discrepancies, a partner or co-director is acting outside their authority, or a contract counterparty is signalling they won't perform. Waiting until the relationship has fully broken down usually narrows your options to the most expensive ones.
Why Roberts Litigation?
Roberts Litigation is a Brisbane-based commercial litigation firm. Directors Brodie Roberts, Samantha Reay and the team act for business owners who need direct, strategic advice and understand the importance of disputes being resolved quickly so that you can get back to business.
Meet Our Team
At Roberts Litigation, our team of dedicated professionals takes the time to understand your situation inside and out, to provide you with the highest level of support.
Director
Brodie Roberts
Brodie is a Brisbane-based litigator with experience in complex Australian construction, commercial, and insolvency disputes. Expert in high-stakes adjudications and multi-party litigation, he delivers clear, commercially realistic strategies for contractors and developers to prevent or efficiently resolve disputes.
Senior Associate
Russell Hall
Russell is a commercial litigator with experience in high-value insolvency, corporate, construction, and property disputes across Queensland and Federal courts. He guides diverse clients through all stages of litigation, delivering practical, commercially focussed strategies to achieve efficient outcomes.
Solicitor
Morgan Roberts
Morgan is a Solicitor at Roberts Litigation who holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours - Class 1). Dedicated to commercial litigation with experience in contractual, debt recovery, and defective work disputes.
Law Clerk
Holly Chetham
Holly joined Roberts Litigation as a Law Clerk in January 2026 while finishing her law honours at QUT. Focusing on commercial and construction litigation, she assists on contractual and secured lending disputes to deliver commercially focussed outcomes.
Facing a Dispute? Act Now.
Legal time limits apply, and delays can severely compromise your position.
Roberts Litigation acts for clients across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and throughout Queensland and nationally for matters in the Federal Court. Our first discussion is confidential and obligation-free.
Supporting businesses in Qld, NSW and Vic
Clear guidance, timely action
Personal, attentive service
It doesn't cost you anything to know where you stand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a business dispute?
A business dispute is any disagreement between people or entities involved in running a business: shareholders, directors, partners, or contracting parties, over issues such as money, control, or performance of an agreement. Common examples include shareholder oppression, partnership breakdowns, breach of contract, and disputes over the sale or direction of a company.
How much does a shareholder dispute lawyer cost in Brisbane?
Cost depends on complexity and how far the matter progresses; a negotiated resolution costs a fraction of a contested court hearing. At Roberts Litigation, we offer an initial consultation to determine the scope of your dispute and give you a clear cost estimate before committing to a strategy.
What is shareholder oppression under the Corporations Act?
Shareholder oppression, under section 232 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), is conduct in running a company that is contrary to members' interests overall, or oppressive to, unfairly prejudicial to, or unfairly discriminatory against a shareholder. Courts assess the effect of the conduct, not just whether it was dishonest.
Latests Insights
The content on our website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on matters of interest. It's not intended to be comprehensive, nor to constitute legal advice. You should always obtain legal or other professional advice, appropriate to your own circumstances, before acting or relying on any of that content.
Although we aim to ensure the content on this website is up-to-date, there may be delays, errors or omissions that could affect its currency or accuracy. There may also be historical articles and other content on the website which, though current at the time of writing, no longer reflect the present state of the law or industry practice.
Your use of this website, or the receipt of any information via this website, is not intended to create, nor does it create, a solicitor-client relationship between us.