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Find a Lawyer » Canada Legal Guides » New Brunswick Legal Guides » Business & Commercial Law New Brunswick » Business Formation & Contracts New Brunswick
📌To register a sole proprietorship in New Brunswick, you must file a Certificate of Business Name with the Service New Brunswick (SNB) Corporate Registry. The basic registration fee is currently…
💡If you file your application online through Service New Brunswick (SNB), provincial incorporation generally takes 1 to 3 business days. However, obtaining the mandatory NUANS report and drafting the necessary…
💼Generally, drafting a custom shareholder agreement in New Brunswick takes about 2 to 4 weeks from the initial consultation to the final signing. Most local law firms charge between $1,500…
🏢To form a non-profit organization in New Brunswick, you must apply for Letters Patent under the provincial Companies Act. You are required to have a minimum of three directors, conduct…
💡In New Brunswick, hiring a corporate lawyer to draft a standard Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) generally costs between $300 and $1,500 CAD. A simple, unilateral NDA typically falls on the lower…
💡To incorporate a business in New Brunswick, the mandatory provincial filing fee via Service New Brunswick (SNB) is currently $262 CAD. Including a required NUANS name search and basic legal…
💼If your company is incorporated in another province like Ontario or Nova Scotia, you must register as an extra-provincial corporation with Service New Brunswick to legally do business here. The…
💼To legally protect your business when hiring in New Brunswick, your employment contract must comply strictly with the provincial Employment Standards Act. A well-drafted agreement will clearly outline wages, probationary…
🤝A legally binding Partnership Agreement in New Brunswick outlines how profits are shared, how disputes are resolved, and what happens if a partner leaves. Having a local law firm draft…
💰Unlike residential rentals, commercial leases in New Brunswick offer very few built-in protections for tenants. It is critical to negotiate clear clauses regarding Base Rent, TMI (Taxes, Maintenance, Insurance), and…
💡Transitioning from a sole proprietorship to a corporation in New Brunswick protects your personal assets and offers tax advantages. The basic provincial incorporation fee is $260 CAD, but you must…
🚨If a supplier fails to deliver goods as promised in New Brunswick, your first step is usually to send a formal demand letter outlining the breach. If the issue remains…
💡A Joint Venture (JV) Agreement in New Brunswick allows two or more businesses to collaborate on a single project without permanently merging their companies. To protect all parties, the contract…
💡Under the New Brunswick Electronic Transactions Act, electronic signatures are legally binding for the vast majority of business contracts. As long as the digital process clearly shows the signer’s intent…
🚨If a client in New Brunswick outright refuses to sign your written service agreement, it is highly recommended to pause all work. Moving forward on purely verbal promises drastically increases…
🎯 Specialization: Real Estate, Wills and Estates, Family Law, Corporate Transactions
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 450 Union St, Fredericton, New Brunswick
🎯 Specialization: Business Law, Labour and Employment, Litigation
🗣️ Languages: English, French
📍 Address: 570 Queen St, Fredericton, New Brunswick
🏢 Est: 1859
🎯 Specialization: General Practice, Real Estate, Wills and Estates, Family Law, Corporate Law
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 819 Union St, Fredericton, New Brunswick
🏢 Est: 1978
🎯 Specialization: Residential Real Estate, Commercial Property, Business Incorporation, Estate Planning
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 89 Church St, Moncton, New Brunswick
🎯 Specialization: Corporate Law, Family Law, Civil Litigation
🗣️ Languages: English, French
📍 Address: 828 Main St, Moncton, New Brunswick
🎯 Specialization: Business Law, Labour and Employment, Litigation
🗣️ Languages: English, French
📍 Address: 644 Main St, Moncton, New Brunswick
🏢 Est: 1859
🎯 Specialization: Labour Law, Commercial Litigation, Real Estate, Wills and Estates
🗣️ Languages: English, French
📍 Address: 127 George St, Fredericton, New Brunswick
🏢 Est: 1978
🎯 Specialization: Commercial Litigation, Labour Relations, Public Law
🗣️ Languages: English, French
📍 Address: 140 Rue Carleton St, Fredericton, New Brunswick
🏢 Est: 1990
🎯 Specialization: Residential Real Estate, Collaborative Family Law, Small Business Incorporation, Estate Planning
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 170 Highfield St, Moncton, New Brunswick
🏢 Est: 1982
🎯 Specialization: Corporate Law Commercial Real Estate Mergers and Acquisitions Business Incorporation
🗣️ Languages: English, French
📍 Address: 633 Main St, Moncton, New Brunswick
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Property Tax Records, Bylaws, City Council Minutes, Building Permits, Business Licenses, Zoning…
📍 655 Main St, Moncton, New Brunswick
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Driver Licenses, Vehicle Registrations, Birth Certificates, Marriage Licenses, Death Certificates, Land Titles,…
📍 770 Main St, Moncton, New Brunswick
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Resident Parking Permit, Visitor Parking Permit, Monthly Garage Pass, Parking Ticket Receipt,…
📍 397 Queen St, Fredericton, New Brunswick
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Building Permits, Dog Licenses, Transit Passes, Parking Permits
📍 397 Queen St, Fredericton, New Brunswick
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Certificate of Qualification, Apprenticeship Agreement, Progress Record Book, Trade Permits
📍 500 Beaverbrook Ct, Fredericton, New Brunswick
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Immunization Records, Food Service Permits, Health Inspection Reports, Vital Statistics Information
📍 81 Albert St, Moncton, New Brunswick
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Birth Certificates, Marriage Licenses, Death Certificates, Land Grants, Court Records, Adoption Records
📍 23 Dineen Dr, Fredericton, New Brunswick
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Social Insurance Numbers, Passports, Record of Employment, Pension Statements, Apprenticeship Grants
📍 95 Foundry St Suite 110, Moncton, New Brunswick
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Immunization Record, Vaccine Exemption Form
📍 300 St Marys St, Fredericton, New Brunswick
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Investigation Unit, Mediation Services, Public Education, Legal Services
📍 751 Brunswick St, Fredericton, New Brunswick
Welcome to the New Brunswick Business Formation & Contracts guide centre. Here you will find comprehensive resources covering everything from incorporating a new company to drafting commercial agreements, based on current provincial regulations.
Starting a business in New Brunswick requires a strong legal framework to protect your personal assets and ensure smooth operations. Whether you are launching a tech startup in Fredericton or opening a retail shop in Moncton, choosing the right business structure is a critical first step. Proper formation sets the foundation for your company, dictating how you will be taxed, how you can raise capital, and your level of personal liability under provincial common law.
Once your business is legally established, everyday operations rely heavily on solid commercial agreements. Contracts are the lifeblood of any enterprise, governing relationships with suppliers, employees, and customers. A well-drafted contract provides clarity, prevents misunderstandings, and offers crucial legal protection should a dispute arise down the road.
In New Brunswick, business registrations and corporate filings are managed by the Corporate Registry, a division of Service New Brunswick (SNB). This provincial agency handles everything from name searches (NUANS) to the issuance of Certificates of Incorporation. Additionally, new businesses may need to interact with WorkSafeNB for workplace insurance or the Department of Finance and Treasury Board for specific provincial tax accounts.
If a serious contract dispute occurs, such as a major breach of a commercial lease or a complex shareholder disagreement, the matter will likely be heard in the Court of King’s Bench of New Brunswick. This superior court handles significant civil litigation across the province. For smaller disputes involving unpaid invoices or minor contract breaches under $20,000, business owners can seek a faster and more cost-effective resolution through the Small Claims Court.
Drafting your own legal contracts or attempting to structure a complex corporation using generic online templates can expose your business to massive financial risks. A single ambiguous clause in a commercial lease or a missing provision in a shareholder agreement can lead to devastating litigation that could bankrupt a growing company. Therefore, it is highly recommended to consult with a qualified corporate lawyer before signing any binding documents.
We strictly advise against trying to resolve complex contract disputes or defending your company in the Court of King’s Bench without professional legal representation. You can find a list of relevant local lawyers and government agencies at the top of this page. A skilled New Brunswick lawyer will ensure your contracts are airtight, your corporate structure is compliant, and your business interests are fully protected.
You must submit Articles of Incorporation to the Corporate Registry through Service New Brunswick (SNB). This process requires a valid NUANS name search report, a registered office address in the province, and the payment of government filing fees.
While not legally mandatory, hiring a lawyer to draft or review your contracts is highly recommended. A lawyer ensures the terms are enforceable under New Brunswick law and protects your business from hidden liabilities and loopholes.
A NUANS (Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search) report is a mandatory document required when incorporating a named company in New Brunswick. It verifies that your proposed business name is unique and not already in use by another corporation or trademark.
A solid shareholder agreement should outline the rights and responsibilities of owners, how shares can be bought or sold, dispute resolution processes, and what happens if a shareholder passes away or wants to leave the company.
The government filing fee for provincial incorporation in New Brunswick is typically around $260. However, if you hire a lawyer to handle the incorporation, draft the bylaws, and set up the minute book, total costs often range from $1,200 to $2,500.
If you operate as a sole proprietorship or general partnership, you are personally liable for all business debts. If you incorporate, the corporation is a separate legal entity, meaning your personal assets are generally protected, unless you sign a personal guarantee.
