We Do Legal
Civil Litigation Lawyer To Protect Your Interests When Business Negotiations Fail
Commercial disputes rarely start in court. They start with missed payments, unanswered calls, and excuses that don’t add up. When negotiation fails and the relationship is dead, the contract becomes your only leverage to recover what’s owed. A civil litigation lawyer enforces those terms or tells you honestly when litigation costs more than you’ll ever recover.
When Business Disputes Become Litigation
Most business disputes reach court because someone ignored the warning signs. The client who stopped paying invoices three months ago. The supplier who’s suddenly “too busy” to return calls. The business partner who hired a lawyer but won’t say why. By the time you’re looking up a civil litigation lawyer, the relationship is dead and the money is missing.
When is litigation worth it?
Our civil litigation lawyer team runs cases in Local Court, District Court, and Supreme Court every week. We start with one question: does litigation make commercial sense, or will you spend $40,000 chasing $25,000?
Some disputes need immediate court action. Others need a well-written letter from a lawyer who’s won cases before. We focus on recovering actual money, not winning moral victories that cost more than they’re worth.
From Demand Letters to Court Hearings
We handle commercial disputes across Sydney and NSW that need formal legal action or serious negotiation backed by litigation capability. Every matter gets assessed for commercial viability before we file.
Typical instructions include:
Breach of Contract Claims & Defence
Debt Recovery & Judgment Enforcement
Shareholder & Partnership Disputes
Trade Practices & Misleading Conduct Claims
Employment Disputes & Unfair Dismissal Defence
Contract Repudiation & Termination Disputes
Restraint of Trade & Non-Compete Enforcement
Injunctive Relief & Urgent Court Applications
Who's Running Your Case
Mark Lazarus led legal for Monster Energy before launching Lazarus Legal. Our team has recovered $2.3M+ for clients in the last 18 months across breach of contract, debt recovery, and shareholder disputes. Every litigation file is handled by senior lawyers who regularly appear in NSW courts. We don’t hand your case to a junior associate who’s never cross-examined a witness.
How We Evaluate Disputes
We review agreements and evidence, check if the other party has assets, and calculate likely costs before recommending litigation. Many disputes settle for better outcomes through properly written demands than through 18 months of court hearings. You’ll get honest advice about whether court serves your business or just funds lawyers on both sides. We’ve talked clients out of litigation when the numbers don’t work.
What You Actually Recover
Our clients get enforceable judgments, recovered debts, and settlements that actually pay out. You’ll receive clear cost projections before we start and regular updates throughout. We focus on commercial recovery, not legal theory. If winning costs more than losing, we’ll tell you.
Our Commercial Dispute Resolution Process
Contact Our Civil Litigation Lawyer Team Today
- Send us the contract, correspondence, and evidence documenting the dispute and the other party's breach or non-performance.
- We conduct immediate case assessment examining evidence strength, enforcement prospects, and likely costs against potential recovery.
- You receive a written strategy recommendation within 48 hours outlining litigation prospects, alternative resolution options, and projected legal costs.
- Our team executes the approved strategy through formal demand letters, negotiated settlement, or court proceedings depending on commercial objectives.
- We pursue judgment enforcement, debt recovery, or negotiated resolution with regular cost updates and strategic adjustments throughout the process.
I highly recommend Mark and the team at Lazarus Legal. They assisted me with reviewing and negotiating a commercial lease. The entire process straightforward and stress-free. Thank you!
Approached Mark when we were starting our company. He was personable, provided great advice, hit our timelines and was really fair with his pricing. Highly recommend Lazarus Legal
Caring and personal service. Worked hard to get the best possible outcome. Thank you!
- Dispute escalating?
Let's Get Your Case Ready
Book a consult with our civil litigation lawyer team and get clear advice on your rights, realistic outcomes, and recommended next steps. No jargon, no pressure; just practical guidance on whether to fight, settle, or walk away. Contact Lazarus Legal today to discuss your dispute.
What Business Owners Ask Before Hiring a Civil Litigation Lawyer
How much does civil litigation cost in Sydney?
Legal costs for commercial litigation in Sydney vary significantly based on dispute complexity, court level, and whether matters proceed to hearing or settle earlier. Local Court matters typically cost $15,000-$40,000 through to judgment, while District Court and Supreme Court proceedings can exceed $100,000+ for contested hearings. Most NSW civil litigation lawyers charge hourly rates between $350 and $600 plus GST, though some firms offer fixed-fee arrangements for specific stages like demand letters or interlocutory applications. At Lazarus Legal, clients receive detailed cost projections before proceedings commence, with regular updates as matters progress. Court filing fees, expert witness costs, and potential adverse costs orders add additional expense if you lose.
What is the time limit for starting civil litigation in NSW?
Limitation periods in NSW vary depending on the nature of your claim, with most commercial disputes governed by the Limitation Act 1969 (NSW). Breach of contract claims must generally be commenced within six years from the date of breach, while claims for goods sold or services rendered have a six-year limitation period from when the debt became due. Personal injury claims have shorter timeframes of three years from the date of injury or discovery. Defamation actions must be commenced within one year unless a court grants an extension. Claims involving fraud or deliberate concealment may have extended limitation periods calculated from when you discovered the wrongdoing. Missing limitation deadlines permanently bars your claim regardless of merit, making early legal advice essential. Defendants can apply to dismiss proceedings as statute-barred if you file after the limitation period expires.
What happens if I win my case but the other party can't pay?
Winning a judgment in NSW civil litigation does not guarantee actual recovery if the defendant lacks assets or declares bankruptcy. Before commencing proceedings, experienced litigation lawyers conduct debtor searches and asset investigations to evaluate enforcement prospects. Judgment creditors can pursue enforcement through garnishee orders against bank accounts, property seizure orders, or bankruptcy proceedings, but these remedies require the debtor to have accessible assets. Many small business disputes involve defendants who operate through corporate structures with minimal assets, making judgments difficult to enforce. The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal and court system provide judgment enforcement mechanisms, but creditors bear the costs of enforcement proceedings. Defendants who become insolvent after judgment can apply for bankruptcy protection, permanently preventing recovery. Our civil litigation practice conducts pre-litigation asset assessments to evaluate whether court proceedings serve commercial objectives or whether negotiated settlement better protects your interests.
Should I try mediation before starting court proceedings?
Mediation and alternative dispute resolution often resolve commercial disputes faster and cheaper than formal litigation, particularly when both parties want to preserve business relationships or when court outcomes remain uncertain. NSW courts now require parties to attempt genuine pre-action procedures before filing many civil claims, including commercial disputes, under the Civil Procedure Act. Early mediation allows both parties to evaluate evidence, test settlement positions, and reach negotiated outcomes without incurring substantial legal costs or public court proceedings. However, mediation only succeeds when both parties negotiate in good faith with genuine settlement authority. Defendants who use mediation to delay proceedings or who lack assets to satisfy judgments waste time that could be spent pursuing formal enforcement. Our litigation team evaluates whether your dispute benefits from mediation or whether immediate court action protects your commercial interests better.
Can I represent myself in civil litigation to save money?
Self-representation in NSW civil litigation remains legally permissible, but businesses face significant disadvantages without experienced legal representation in commercial disputes. Courts require strict compliance with Civil Procedure Rules, evidence laws, and court practice directions that untrained litigants rarely navigate successfully. Judges cannot provide legal advice to unrepresented parties, and opposing lawyers will exploit procedural errors and evidentiary mistakes to strengthen their position. Simple errors like failing to serve documents correctly, missing court deadlines, or presenting inadmissible evidence can permanently damage your case regardless of underlying merit.
Commercial disputes often involve complex contractual interpretation, expert evidence requirements, and cross-examination skills that require professional legal training. The Federal Court of Australia and NSW Supreme Court provide self-representation guides, but these resources cannot substitute for experienced litigation counsel. Our civil litigation practice regularly defends against self-represented opponents and observes how procedural errors destroy otherwise valid claims. The financial savings from self-representation disappear quickly when cases are dismissed on technical grounds or when unrepresented parties accept inadequate settlements because they cannot evaluate evidence properly or understand court procedures.