SINCE 1993
7 Reasons Business Owners Must Prioritise Estate Planning
Take care to also create your estate plan, the cornerstone of securing your legacy and protecting your hard-earned assets. Find out why you should work on your estate plan by downloading our free ebook!
Our Services
Providing Exceptional Legal Solutions
City Pacific Lawyers has established a reputation as a respected law firm, providing quality legal advice and services to entrepreneurs, business owners, corporations, family businesses and individuals.
Commercial Law
Access the legal support you need for ongoing success in business
Dispute Resolution
Our team will help you resolve complex matters and disputes
Expat Legal Services
Work with a lawyer who has extensive experience handling Australia/US expat matters
Wills & Estates
Create a more certain future for yourself and your family by making a clear plan for your assets
Property Law
Work with us for a smoother real estate exchange or leasing process
COMMERCIAL LEASING
Optimize your contacts with the best terms for your business interests
Legal Pioneers
Melbourne Commercial Lawyers Since 1993
City Pacific Lawyers provides a high level of legal services for businesses and individuals.
You can expect the support of a professional, reliable and experienced lawyer who will start by taking the time to understand your concerns.
Our team includes specialists in commercial, property and estate law, so we can assign the practitioner who is best suited to addressing your needs.
As an involved and observant accountant, I attend all meetings with my clients and have found them to be extremely professional and honest.
Jason Buhagiar 
How Can We Help You?
Work with a dedicated team to resolve your legal matter.
Supporting Business Growth and Success
Melbourne Commercial Lawyers
City Pacific Lawyers focus on finding the right solution for your business. We understand the commercial realities of the legal issues that businesses face on a day-to-day basis.
Experienced team
Expert-level knowledge
Personalised support
Dedicated to achieving the right outcomes
“We have now been associated with City Pacific Lawyers for a number of years and we keep on coming back because of the high standards and reliability underpinned with thorough investigative work and efficient delivery of services.”
Zdenko Simonic
Resolving Your Matter With Confidence
Dispute Resolution
Work with a top-notch team of commercial litigation experts who can help you with your legal dispute.
No dispute is too complex
Client-focused strategies
Industry-focused experts
Mediation-first approach
“Because of her quality legal advice and representation, a positive result was experienced. I have no hesitation and highly recommend her to anyone who is seeking prompt & professional legal advice.“
Jenny Josephs
Accredited Property Law Specialists
Property Law
We can help you with your commercial property transactions throughout Australia or overseas.
Residential property conveyancing
Commercial conveyancing transactions
Commercial leasing
“With Elizabeth Michael at the helm, this team undertook some complex real estate and estate planning work for us, under time pressure. All of it was executed with care, friendliness, attention to detail and in a timely fashion.“
Hazza Z
Protecting Your Legacy
Wills & Estates
At City Pacific Lawyers Melbourne, we can help you prepare a will, nominate someone for power of attorney or resolve a complex estate matter
Will preparation and execution
Probate
Power of Attorney
Contested estates
Expatriate estate matters
“Excellent client service – the whole team are friendly and efficient, and completed our wills quickly.”
Henrietta Bird
Partner with CPL
Engage the Services of an Experience Melbourne Lawyer
Book A Consultation
Schedule an introductory conversation with our team to confirm if our services are right for you.
Engage Our Services
We will explain how things work and what’s involved so you can decide to go ahead.
WORK WITH A DEDICATED PROFESSIONAL
A specialist practitioner will be assigned to help you achieve a positive outcome.
Praise for Our Legal Expertise and Dedication
“Highly recommend the City Pacific Lawyers team.”
Elizabeth and her team where amazing at helping the group grow and been actively supportive of our RoB members and their clients who have been referred.
“I am an Accountant who has City Pacific Lawyer as my preferred contact for all my clients.”
As an involved and observant accountant, I attend all meetings with my clients and have found them to be extremely professional and honest.
“Excellent client service – the whole team are friendly and efficient, and completed our wills quickly.”
They helped me with ID verification for an overseas transaction immediately and without charge, for which I’m very grateful.
“Fantastic firm led by an exceptional practitioner in Elizabeth Michael.”
Highly recommended.
“Jennifer & Elizabeth handled our conveyancing with great professionalism.”
Thank you very much.
Insights
Tips and explainers from a leading Melbourne commercial law firm.
A commercial property sale in Victoria isn’t as simple as finding a buyer and signing a contract. Between disclosure obligations, GST treatment, environmental checks, and new land tax reforms, the process is increasingly technical — and mistakes can be costly. At City Pacific Lawyers, we help commercial property owners and business vendors across Melbourne and the Bayside suburbs navigate each step of the process. Here’s what you need to know to avoid legal traps and keep your sale on track. 1. Prepare a Vendor’s Statement Before Listing a Commercial Property for Sale A Vendor’s Statement (also called a Section 32) is legally required under the Sale of Land Act for all commercial property sales in Victoria. It must be provided to the buyer before a contract is signed. Vendor’s Statements must include: Title details and ownership information Any existing leases or licence agreements Zoning and planning restrictions Easements, covenants, and road access Outgoings such as council rates, land tax and owners corporation fees Details about Commercial and Industrial Property Tax (CIPT) obligations The status of any statutory charges Miss a required disclosure, and the buyer can walk away, even late in the settlement. Hypothetical Example: A Bayside commercial landlord overlooks...
Australia’s skilled professionals and entrepreneurs are in high demand. We’re seeing more high-net-worth individuals preparing to leave the country for new roles or business opportunities. But here’s what’s often overlooked: moving overseas can have real legal consequences. If you don’t protect your Australian assets, you could face unexpected tax, compliance, or control issues — especially if you have trusts, SMSFs, property, or a business. At City Pacific Lawyers, we help professionals, business owners, and expats across Australia, the US, and beyond. Get advice before you move to avoid costly mistakes and stay in control, wherever you’re headed. Leaving Australia Can Trigger Legal and Tax Consequences Moving overseas changes how your assets are taxed, structured, and managed. In some cases, simply becoming a non-resident can: Change the tax treatment of capital gains on Australian property Breach trustee residency rules for family trusts or SMSFs Affect access to CGT discounts or the principal residence exemption Trigger higher tax rates on income from rental properties or investments It gets more complicated if you hold assets in trusts, private companies, or SMSFs. This is especially true if you’re moving to the US or UK, where tax reporting is strict. A simple move can create...
When a commercial lease ends, one of the most common causes of dispute is the ‘make good’ clause — especially if it’s unclear or misunderstood. Make good obligations can mean surprise costs, delays, or legal headaches for both landlords and tenants. Understanding your responsibilities upfront helps you avoid these issues. At City Pacific Lawyers, we help clients understand their responsibilities upfront — and avoid problems at the end of the lease. Here’s what to look for in a make good clause, how they work in Victoria, and how to avoid expensive mistakes. A Make Good Clause Sets Out the Condition for Returning the Premises A make good clause sets out what condition the tenant must leave the property in when the lease ends. The clause is recorded in the tenancy agreement itself, forming part of the legally binding obligations between the tenant and landlord. Requirements vary, but often include: Cleaning and removing personal belongings Repainting or repairing damage Stripping out any fit-out or non-fixed alterations Restoring the space to its original state or ‘base build’ condition These obligations are often negotiated upfront, but disputes can arise when expectations aren’t clear. Clear Terms Help Both Tenants and Landlords Avoid Surprises Under...