Adelaide requires a different kind of strategy when it comes to the law. We’re a city built on long-term relationships and a massive, specialised economy. Adelaide is a place where your reputation is your most valuable asset, and in this market, a single legal oversight can damage the trust you’ve spent years building.
Whether you find yourself in an acquisition, scaling a startup, or negotiating a commercial lease, you need a lawyer who speaks the local language. The firms listed below are Adelaide specialists who understand the SA system and focus on building the legal foundations that keep you out of the courtroom.
Lawyers List is an independent directory. We aren’t a law firm and we don’t give legal advice. We provide the platform for you to find and compare the independent practitioners who do. In a tight-knit market like Adelaide, the smartest move is to pick a few firms from the list below.
Duncan Basheer Hannon
66 Wright Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Tel: 1800 324 324
Lynch Meyer Lawyers
213 Payneham Rd
St Peters SA 5069
Tel: (08) 8362 6400
Adelaide Business Strategy
Adelaide has its own specific legal quirks that can catch you off guard if you’re used to the eastern states. Here are some legal areas that often catch out businesses in Adelaide:
Lease Renewals & Repairs: In South Australia, the Retail and Commercial Leases Act was updated in late 2025. One of the biggest shifts is that the “warranty of fitness for purpose” now explicitly applies to renewals and extensions. If you don’t audit the condition of the premises properly during a renewal, you might inherit a liability that should have been the landlord’s problem.
Small Business Commission: As of July 2025, the Small Business Commissioner has become the Small Business Commission with significantly expanded powers. They can now compel parties to attend mediation even if it’s not written into the contract. Before you spend thousands on a barrister, a local commercial lawyer can help you use this state-funded pathway to settle disputes quickly and quietly.
Defense & Wine IP: These are the pillars of the SA economy, but they are high-risk for intellectual property (IP) theft. If you are a subcontractor in defence or an exporter in wine, ensure your contracts have ironclad background IP clauses. If your technology or branding gets leaked the damage is often permanent.
Debt Recovery: For smaller debts under $12,000, the Adelaide Magistrates Court (Minor Civil Action) is your primary tool. However, for many business-to-business disputes, the SACAT (South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) is becoming a faster alternative. The first best step is still a formal Letter of Demand but you need to make sure it meets the new 2026 protocols to be enforceable later.