​What's the difference between business law and commercial law?

The terms business law and commercial law are often used interchangeably, but they can refer to different areas of legal work. Business law generally covers the full life cycle of a company, including formation, ownership, corporate governance, contracts, employment matters, acquisitions, succession planning, and dissolution.

Commercial law usually focuses more specifically on transactions between businesses or between businesses and customers. This may include the sale of goods and services, vendor agreements, financing, leases, payment obligations, and disputes arising from commercial transactions.

The two areas frequently overlap. For example, drafting a supplier agreement may involve both general business concerns and commercial transaction rules. A business law attorney can review the specific matter, identify the laws that apply, and help protect the company’s interests.