People who search for a property lawyer rather than a conveyancer usually want something more than the paperwork processed. They want someone to tell them whether to sign, what to change, and what to do if the other side does not perform.
Optimum Lawyers is a property law firm in Parramatta Square, led by principal solicitor Wisam Assi. We act on Sydney purchases, sales and transfers, and on property in every other state and territory for clients who live here.

Send us the contract before you exchange
We offer a free initial contract assessment. It is a brief first look at whether the contract appears ready for a full paid legal review. It is not the full review, and it is not free conveyancing.
What a property lawyer adds
A licensed conveyancer is qualified to carry out conveyancing, and on a simple purchase a good one does the job well. A solicitor can also advise on the wider legal position around the property, such as how it should be owned, what a transfer will cost in duty, or what your rights are when a deadline is missed, and can act for you if the matter becomes a dispute.
Matters we handle in Sydney
- Contracts before exchange. A NSW contract must exist before the property is advertised, so it can be reviewed and negotiated before you commit. We read the special conditions, the title, the planning certificate and the strata records.
- Off-the-plan apartments. The cooling-off period is 10 business days. A developer cannot rely on a sunset clause to end a residential off-the-plan contract without your written consent or an order of the Supreme Court. For residential buildings of four storeys or more, the developer must lodge a building bond of 2% of the contract price.
- Strata purchases. Levies, special levies, defect reports, by-law breaches and disputes recorded in the owners corporation minutes.
- Waiving cooling-off. A section 66W certificate removes your cooling-off period, so it should only be signed after the contract has been checked.
- Deceased estate and family sales. Sales by executors and administrators, and transfers between family members.
When a sale does not go to plan
- Settlement delays. If the other side is not ready on the settlement date, a notice to complete can make time essential. It has to be served correctly, by a party who is ready, willing and able to settle.
- Deposit disputes. Who keeps the deposit depends on the contract and on why the sale ended.
- Caveats. Lodging or removing a caveat to protect an interest in land, or to clear one that is holding up a sale.
- Co-owners who disagree. Advice where co-owners cannot agree on whether, or how, to sell.
Transfers and ownership
We act on transfers between spouses and partners, after a separation, from a deceased estate, and into or out of a trust or self-managed super fund. NSW transfer duty can apply even where no money changes hands, and some transfers qualify for an exemption with conditions attached. How a property is held, as joint tenants or tenants in common, also matters for what happens on death. These are questions to settle before the transfer is signed. See stamp duty in NSW.
Buying in another state from Sydney
Each state runs property sales differently. In Queensland and WA the agent usually prepares the contract and asks for a signature straight away, Victoria gives 3 business days to cool off, and WA gives none. We act on purchases and sales in those states for Sydney clients. See conveyancing in Sydney for how the rules compare.
Costs
Under the Legal Profession Uniform Law we must tell you what our work will cost, and we do that before the work starts. The free initial contract assessment tells you whether the contract looks ready for a full review.
What clients say
“Wisam has been an invaluable partner throughout both my property buying and selling journeys.”
Katrina Ong, Google review
Questions about property lawyers in Sydney
What is the difference between a property lawyer and a conveyancer in NSW?
A licensed conveyancer is qualified to carry out conveyancing work. A solicitor can also advise on the wider legal position around the property and represent you if the matter becomes a dispute.
Can a developer cancel my off-the-plan contract under a sunset clause?
Not on a residential off-the-plan contract in NSW without your written consent or an order of the Supreme Court.
What is a notice to complete?
A notice served after the settlement date has passed that makes time essential, giving the other party a set period to settle. It must be served by a party who is ready, willing and able to settle.
Do I have to come to your office?
No. Documents can be signed electronically and NSW settlements are completed electronically. You are welcome to meet us at Parramatta Square.
From Our Clients
We are the leading interstate Queensland conveyancing property lawyers in Sydney for a reason. Ethical, Trusted, Optimum Lawyers Parramatta at your service. Still unsure? We let our reviews do the talking.














