Services > Business & Employment Law

Corporate and commercial services

Our specialist skills and experience can path the way to helping you start a business, obtain finance agreements, draw up and agree contracts, buy and sell a business or put shareholder and partnership agreements in place.

Business start-up

Setting up your own business can be the most exciting and satisfying decision you ever make. But while the potential rewards can be enormous, so can the risks. Our dedicated team can ensure you receive help and advice to provide a sound platform to start your business venture.

During the initial discussion or meeting we can help you decide if you should operate as a sole trader, form a partnership or form a limited company. We can also examine if more recent alternatives such as self-employed agencies or franchising, provide better scope. Whatever your plans, our expertise and experience is designed to help make your venture a success.

Finance agreements

We can help you with advice on financing and acquiring premises (where required). In addition, we can assist with drawing up and preparing your business plan, so you obtain the financial support you need to secure the start-up funds for your business proposition.

Contracts

If your business is to be fully protected in the event of a dispute it is essential that you get professionally drafted contracts, or standard terms of business, drawn up. Written contracts enable you to have an exact record of what you will provide as a service or goods for customers. It should also encompass related matters, such as the method and timing of payments due.

We can draft contracts and terms of business to ensure your business is protected at outset.

Buying and selling businesses

Businesses evolve and change all the time, while new opportunities arise for diversifying, changing or even selling the type of business you are involved in. Irrespective of whether you wish to buy or sell a business, our team of specialists can guide you through the stages and requirements to provide smooth passage; ensuring no surprises or liabilities emerge in the future.

Shareholder and partnership agreements

If your business is to operate as a limited company you must issue a minimum of two shares and appoint two directors, one of whom is required to act as the company secretary. The company secretary is responsible for ensuring that all legal obligations are met and in many cases, the individual concerned has to rely heavily on the expertise of others to provide guidance on their duties and responsibilities.

Our team can help you to set up your limited company, appoint the directors and obtain the Certificate of Incorporation for a Private Limited Company and Memorandum and Articles of Association required to commence trading. We can also provide a critical reference point for guidance on the duties and responsibilities of Directors and Officers of the company.

If your business is a partnership you should ensure a formal Partnership Deed is drawn up to reflect the terms agreed between yourself and the other partners. It is important to remember that if a deed is not in place, the partnership may need to be dissolved in the event of a dispute; you may also face difficulties and potential court action to get rid of a disruptive partner.

There are various issues to consider at outset, for example: who the partners are, the division of shares and how profits (and losses) are shared. Advice from our team of specialists during this stage is vital and the Partnership Deed should also be reviewed periodically, to take account of any changes within the partnership, e.g. the inclusion of new partners.