Litigation Lawyers
Our litigation lawyers help Sydney business owners with commercial contract breaches, property and construction disputes, civil claims, and court representation.
Secure Your Legal Advantage
750+
Disputes Resolved
$120M+
in Claims Recovered
1,200+ Businesses Represented
40+ Years Combined Legal Experience
What Is A Litigation Lawyer, And When Do You Need One?
A litigation lawyer represents your business when a dispute moves beyond negotiation and into formal legal proceedings. If you are a founder, director, or business owner in Sydney facing a breach of contract, a recovery claim, or a dispute that needs to be resolved in court, that is the work a litigation lawyer handles.
You need a litigation lawyer when the other side stops cooperating and the stakes are too high to leave to chance. The earlier you get advice, the more options you have. Lazarus Legal’s Sydney litigation lawyer team regularly assists with the following scenarios:
You're owed money and informal demands have been ignored
A contract has been breached and you need to enforce your rights
A shareholder dispute is threatening the business
A builder or contractor has left defects unresolved
A leasing or property dispute has escalated
You've received a claim and need to respond fast
A negligence or IP dispute requires court representation
Your business is dealing with insolvency proceedings
Why Choose Lazarus Legal's Commercial Litigation Lawyers
When choosing a litigation lawyer, look for someone who has actually appeared in court, who is upfront about costs from day one, and who has handled disputes similar to yours.
- 40 Years of Commercial Litigation Experience. We have been resolving commercial disputes since 1975, appearing in the Supreme, Federal, District, and Local Courts across contract enforcement, shareholder disputes, debt recovery, and insolvency proceedings.
- A Reputation Built Across Borders. Senior practitioner and CEO Barry Lazarus has handled disputes across Australia and South Africa over five decades. Experience that broad changes how you read a dispute, and how you prepare for one.
- Trust Account Transparency. You deposit funds into a protected trust account. We invoice against it only as work is completed. That money stays yours until the work is done, including if you decide to walk away.
What Our Sydney Litigation Lawyers Handle
Lazarus Legal handles commercial disputes across three core practice areas. Each matter is assessed for commercial viability before we recommend a course of action.
| Practice Area | What We Handle | Legislation and Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Litigation | Contract breaches, shareholder disputes, director liability, corporate insolvency, and restraint of trade disputes | Corporations Act 2001 governs director duties, shareholder rights, and insolvency proceedings |
| Property and Construction | Building defects, incomplete works, leasing disputes, property ownership conflicts | Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) governs progress claims and payment disputes; lower-value building matters may be heard at NCAT |
| Civil Disputes | Debt recovery, negligence claims, intellectual property disputes, unfair dismissal, and underpayment claims | Claim limits apply by court: Local Court up to $100,000 / District Court up to $750,000 / Supreme Court above $750,000; Fair Work Act 2009 governs workplace and employment matters |
Not all disputes end in a courtroom. Here is how we work through every stage of yours.
| Service | What It Involves |
|---|---|
| Pre-Litigation Advice | We review your position, assess the merits of your claim, and send formal demand letters before any proceedings are filed. Many disputes resolve at this stage without going further. |
| Dispute Resolution | Where court action is not yet necessary, we explore negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and conciliation to reach a faster and less costly outcome. |
| Court Representation | When proceedings are unavoidable, we appear in the Local, District, Supreme, and Federal Courts and represent you through every stage from filing to judgment. |
| Enforcement of Judgments | Winning in court is one thing. Collecting what you are owed is another. We pursue enforcement through garnishee orders, writs of execution, and examination hearings. |
| Appeals | If a judgment goes against you, or the other side appeals a decision in your favour, we advise on grounds of appeal and represent you through the process. |
Meet Your Lawyers
CEO, Notary Public
Barry has been practising law since 1975, with a career built on litigation, dispute resolution, and hard-nosed commercial advice. A fearless litigator who has handled high-stakes disputes across Australia and South Africa, he brings five decades of courtroom and advisory experience to every matter.
Director, Principal Solicitor
Mark is admitted in both Australia and the UK and has worked as a barrister, in private practice, and as in-house Legal Director for Monster Energy across EMEA. He has defended businesses in commercial disputes, advised founders through shareholder conflicts, and managed litigation strategy for clients ranging from startups to global brands.
Associate Lawyer
Chen brings a background in venture capital, fund management, and compliance to her legal practice. That experience informs how she reads a dispute, not just as a legal problem, but as a commercial one.
What Businesses Say About Lazarus Legal
Level Architects
“Lazarus Legal resolved our unpaid invoices with ease. Barry Lazarus is a highly knowledgeable litigation lawyer, and the team was always quick to respond and manage the matter with diligence and clarity. We’ve worked with many lawyers over the years, but Barry and Mark are among the best we’ve dealt with. Highly recommend them.”
Ken Littlewood
Sales Manager/Trainer
“Mark and Barry are fantastic. They took the time to make sure I got the best result and helped me understand the complexities of the documents they prepared. Barry Lazarus is a knowledgeable litigation lawyer, and the work delivered was high quality, professional, and thorough. Highly recommended.”
- Facing a legal dispute?
Book A Qualified Litigation Lawyer
- (02) 8644 6000
- info@lazaruslegal.com.au
- 1/422 Oxford St, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
- 5/133 Wakefield Street Adelaide SA 5000
- 1/14 Fremantle Street Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Our Litigation Lawyers Answer Your Questions
What does a litigation lawyer do in Australia?
A litigation lawyer represents clients in court proceedings and formal dispute resolution processes. We prepare Statements of Claim, draft defences, conduct discovery, brief barristers, prepare witnesses, and appear in court for interlocutory applications. Litigation lawyers handle everything from initial case assessment through to trial preparation and enforcement of judgments. Most commercial litigation work happens outside the courtroom through document preparation, evidence gathering, and settlement negotiations, but we’re ready to run trials when necessary.
How much does a litigation lawyer cost in Sydney?
Commercial litigation costs vary significantly based on case complexity and whether matters settle or proceed to trial. Simple debt recovery might cost $5,000-$15,000 if settled early, while complex shareholder disputes proceeding to Supreme Court trial can exceed $100,000 including barrister fees. Most litigation lawyers charge hourly rates between $350-$600 plus GST, with senior partners and barristers charging more. We provide fixed-fee quotes for specific stages like drafting Statements of Claim or initial defence work. Cost agreements must comply with Legal Profession Uniform Law requirements, and we explain likely total costs before you commit to proceedings.
What is the difference between a litigation lawyer and a commercial lawyer?
Commercial lawyers handle business transactions, contracts, and advisory work, while litigation lawyers represent clients in court proceedings and disputes. Many commercial lawyers avoid litigation entirely, focusing on preventative advice and deal structuring. Litigation lawyers specialize in court procedures, evidence rules, and advocacy, whether in Supreme Court proceedings or tribunals. Some lawyers practice both, but litigation requires specific procedural knowledge and willingness to run contested hearings. At Lazarus Legal, our commercial litigation expertise means we understand both the business context and the court process, so we can assess disputes from both commercial and legal perspectives.
How does the litigation process work in NSW?
NSW litigation typically starts with a Statement of Claim filed in the appropriate court, followed by the defendant’s defence within 28 days. Both parties exchange relevant documents through discovery, then prepare witness statements and expert reports. Most cases settle before trial through negotiation or court-ordered mediation. If settlement fails, the matter proceeds to hearing where both sides present evidence and legal arguments before a judge. The process usually takes 12-24 months from filing to trial, though urgent matters can be expedited through interlocutory applications. Understanding NSW Civil Procedure rules is critical, as missing deadlines or failing to comply with directions can damage your case.
What should I do if I've been served a Statement of Claim?
First, note the date you were served because you typically have 28 days to file your defence in NSW Supreme Court matters. Read the Statement of Claim carefully to understand what’s being alleged and what the plaintiff is seeking. Gather all relevant documents including contracts, emails, and correspondence that relate to the dispute. Contact a litigation lawyer immediately, even if you think the claim is baseless, because failing to file a defence can result in default judgment against you. Don’t contact the plaintiff or their lawyers directly without legal advice, as anything you say can be used in proceedings. We can assess whether you have valid defences, counterclaims, or whether early settlement makes commercial sense.
Litigation Lawyer, CEO Lazarus Legal
Barry Lazarus has been practising law since 1975, with experience across Australia and South Africa in litigation, dispute resolution, commercial law, and property transactions. A fearless litigator and commercially minded advisor, Barry has guided businesses through high-stakes disputes, franchise matters, and corporate transactions for five decades. He is a qualified Notary Public and the CEO of Lazarus Legal.
Page Published: 20 June 2025 | Updated: 10 April 2026