History of Bywaters Timms Lawyers

Bywaters Timms was founded by Janice Bywaters in 2004.

Prior to this, Janice had built a solid reputation in the franchise sector in Australia. She was on the Queensland Chapter Committee of the Franchise Council of Australia for about 10 years. During that time Janice was also Chapter President and a member of the National Board of the Franchise Council.

Elizabeth Gore-Jones joined the firm in 2008. She has practiced as a commercial and business lawyer since 1994 and provides services both in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.

Elizabeth is a past committee member of the Queensland branch of the Franchise Council of Australia.

Both Janice and Elizabeth are members of the Queensland Law Society Franchising Committee. Janice is the current Chair of the Committee and is also a member of the Business Law Committee.

Our lawyers have presented many papers on trade practices, commercial and franchising law. Elizabeth lectures the PLT course at Bond University about franchising law and both Janice and Elizabeth are often called upon to present to lawyers in relation to franchising matters.

Through their involvement with the Queensland Law Society Committees, our lawyers have also been active in many submissions to both State and Federal Governments in regard to proposed changes to legislation.

Bywaters Timms has formulated a Guiding Code which is the set of rules that govern the internal behaviour of the team:

Our Guiding Code

Support the Team.
Celebrate success.
Meet time limits
Use plain English.
Communicate with clients.
Keep up-to-date and strive to improve.
Promote the firm.
Deal with problems as they arise.
Nurture long-term relationships.
Give attention to detail at all times
Keep team members challenged.
Have fun.

I was referred to Janice at Bywaters Timms by a highly respected work colleague. At the time, I was experiencing a number of disputes within a master franchise agreement and facing the very real possibility of not just going out of business, but facing possible bankruptcy. From the moment Janice first took on the case, to the final outcome, I had complete confidence, trust and faith in her abilities that resulted in a settlement that I never thought possible at our first meeting but resulted in appropriate financial redress so I could move on with my life. Her very personable manner, coupled with her indefatigable and tenacious approach and built on a meticulous and intricate knowledge of her subject matter was, I believe, second to none and even 12 months later, I can still pick up the telephone and her recall of specifics is very reassuring. I would have no hesitation in recommending the services of Bywaters...

Colin Runacres

Article on Due Diligence in Franchising

Carbon Pricing and Misleading and Deceptive Conduct and view the ACCC booklet