Automotive industry lawyers.
Dealerships, workshops, panel shops, parts suppliers and automotive tech — fixed-fee contracts, licensing, franchise code advice and consumer law defence.
Fixed fee. Senior lawyer.
Every engagement is quoted upfront and led by a senior lawyer — never a paralegal-first pipeline.
- hello@envisionlegal.com.au
- Sydney · Melbourne · National
How we help
What we handle for you.
Concrete deliverables — not a general "advice" retainer. Each item can be scoped as a one-off fixed-fee package or bundled into a monthly counsel arrangement.
01
Dealership & workshop contracts
Sale of vehicle terms, workshop authorisation forms, storage and abandonment terms — drafted so the Australian Consumer Law, PPSR and state motor dealer legislation actually work in your favour.
02
Motor Dealer licensing
MVDA / MVR licensing in NSW, VIC and QLD — applications, variations, disciplinary responses and Fair Trading engagement.
03
Franchise Code compliance
Dealer agreements and terminations under the Franchising Code (including the automotive-specific reforms) — disclosure documents, capital expenditure protections and end-of-term rights.
04
Consumer law & warranty disputes
Major failure claims, refund/replacement demands and NCAT / VCAT / QCAT defence for dealers and workshops.
05
Supply & distribution agreements
Parts, accessories and equipment distribution — territory, minimum volumes, IP, end-of-life and unfair contract terms review.
06
Employment & subcontractor terms
Mechanic, apprentice and contractor agreements aligned to the Vehicle Manufacturing, Repair, Services and Retail Award.
07
Business sale & acquisition
Dealership, workshop and yard sales — including goodwill, stock, tooling, real property and manufacturer approvals.
08
Debt recovery
Unpaid repair bills, storage fees, trade credit and lay-by / finance defaults — including PPSR-backed recovery and lien enforcement.
Who this is for
Clients we work best with.
- New and used car dealerships
- Mechanical, panel and specialist workshops
- Parts distributors and aftermarket suppliers
- EV, fleet and mobility technology businesses
How we work
No surprises. Ever.
Fixed fees quoted upfront. Senior lawyer on every file. Clear next steps at every stage.
01 — Brief
Send a short brief or book a 15-minute call. We'll confirm scope and what you actually need — often that's less than you think.
02 — Fixed-fee quote
You get a written scope and a fixed fee before we start. No hourly billing, no scope-creep invoices.
03 — Senior lawyer, on the tools
The lawyer you scoped with is the lawyer doing the work. We turn drafts around fast and stay reachable throughout.
FAQs
Common questions.
- Do I need a motor dealer licence to sell a few cars a year?
- Each state has a threshold — in NSW under the MVDA it's four or more vehicles in 12 months, and other states have their own tests. Selling above that without a licence exposes you to significant penalties and voids your customer paperwork. If you're near the line, we do a fixed-fee eligibility review before you make the call.
- A customer is claiming a 'major failure' under ACL — what are my rights?
- Under the Australian Consumer Law, only failures that meet the statutory definition of 'major' trigger customer choice of refund or replacement. Age of vehicle, disclosed condition, price and service history all matter. We defend workshops and dealers on ACL claims regularly and prepare a written response that either resolves the matter or narrows it significantly before NCAT.
- How does the automotive Franchising Code affect my dealership?
- The 2021 automotive amendments introduced new rules on capital expenditure, buy-back on termination, dispute resolution and end-of-term arrangements for new vehicle dealers. If your OEM is proposing termination or restructure, get advice before signing anything or accepting a compensation offer — the Code gives you real leverage.
- Can I keep a customer's car if they don't pay?
- Only under a properly documented workshop lien — and even then, notice periods, storage rates and sale procedures under state uncollected goods legislation must be followed to the letter. Getting this wrong turns a $2k unpaid bill into a conversion claim. We prepare compliant lien and storage terms as a fixed-fee product.
- Do you work with independent workshops or only dealers?
- Both. Roughly half our automotive clients are independent mechanical, panel and specialist workshops — the same paperwork and consumer law issues apply, and often the margin is tighter, so getting the terms right matters more.
Talk to us
Legal built for automotive industry lawyers..
Send us a note about what you're working on. We'll respond within one business day and, if we're a fit, book a free 15-minute consultation with a senior lawyer.