Business solicitors

• Business
• Commercial property
• Intellectual property
• Litigation

Business

Whether you are part of a small firm or multi-national corporation, we can advise on all aspects of company and business law.

If you are thinking of starting up a business or you are already in business, our specialist corporate team can offer you practical solid legal advice. Whether you own a small business or are part or a large multi-national corporation, you need commercial solicitors you can trust.

We have the expertise to address the corporate and commercial questions that can challenge any organization operating in today's complex and competitive market place providing a tailor-made service. Our team have the commitment to get your deals done whatever and wherever they are, whether it is a one-off project or a more complex task, we are fully equipped to advise and deliver.

We are able to advise on matters such as:

• Starting a business
• Partnerships and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP's)
• Company formations
• Commercial Property
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Share agreements and transfers
• Employment issues
• Licences
• Franchises

Our business team combines technical expertise and experience with an understanding of your business objectives. This enables our lawyers to provide you with realistic solutions tailored to your individual business needs.

Starting a business

Whether you want to fulfil a life-long ambition, want to see a greater return for your efforts or just to have more control by becoming your own boss, taking first-class professional advice at the outset can help you to minimise any risk. As well as exciting times, this can also be a daunting and sometimes complex expensive process.

Once the big decision as been made to go it alone, you will need to decide how you wish to trade whether this be as a partnership, a limited company or a 'one man band'. We can assist whatever you decide, safeguarding your legal and financial position by ensuring that any business agreement is both written and made clear at the start.

We will ensure that the paperwork is fully investigated so that there are no nasty surprises because once the deal has completed, it is often impossible to amend any errors. At Kiteleys, we will carefully guide you through each stage from initial negotiations through to completion leaving you free to concentrate on the practical steps of getting your new business off the ground.

Partnerships and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP's)

Partnerships, including LLP's are popular business models although this may not suit all businesses and so expert legal advice should always be sought as to the correct business structure for you.

Although a partnership can be set up without a formal written agreement, regrettably, a gentlemen's handshake is not really satisfactory in todays market. The best way to ensure a partnership operates as the partners intend is to have one of our specialist solicitors draw up a formal partnership agreement. It will make the day-to-day operation of your partnership smoother and prevent any problems from escalating. Disputes are unfortunately common place and a clear, well drafted agreement can often avoid such disputes or in the least, costs may be saved if a dispute cannot be resolved.

Company formations

In addition to preparing the legal documents and registering them at Companies House, there are other issues that need to be addressed when forming a company. One of the main issues is the formation of the Memorandum and Articles of Association. This essentially regulates a company with regard to powers of the directors and decision-making procedures. Any failure to comply could lead to contracts being set aside, fines being imposed and even criminal sanctions.

We can prepare the Memorandum & Articles for you in a style most suited to your business model. Even if your company has recently grown or restructured, your original Articles may need updating. Our business team will advise you on this and all other matters necessary to ensure your company is well prepared.

Commercial Property

We can also offer advice as to your business premises whether you are buying the property outright or wish to Lease the premises. Please refer to our commercial property section for further details, particularly regarding commercial Leases.

Mergers and Acquisitions

The decline in mergers and acquisitions should not really surprise anyone following the recent economic downturn yet for some businesses, the recession has presented substantial opportunities for growth. Utilising the advice and skills of our experienced team will give any new business proposition the best chance of success. We take a practical approach enabling us to drive the deal forward through to completion as we recognise the importance of these transactions for our clients.

Employment

Whether you employ just one or one thousand members of staff, employees sit at the heart of the business and so effectively managing that relationship is crucial.

You cannot fail to recognise that employment law has changed significantly over recent times and so the risk of breaching such laws has increased dramatically. Please speak to one of our team who will be able to offer you essential and practical advice.

Licenses

Alcohol, gaming, entertainment and leisure licences are highly regulated and must comply with a number of legal and administrative requirements. Although recent changes have bought about more autonomy as to the types of activities a licence holder can carry out, this has bought with it greater enforcement powers for the police and other governing bodies.

Kiteleys are able to address your licensing needs not only in identifying the licences required but also in providing guidance as to the complex procedures in obtaining them. So if you need a new personal or premises licence or indeed if your existing licence is up for review we can offer practical and constructive advice as to the notice requirements and costs, rights of appeal and procedures for renewal.

Franchises

Franchising is basically a commercial agreement under which a collection of intellectual property rights such as trade marks, copyrights and general 'know how' are licensed for use. This is however granted under strict terms that require the franchisee to exactly follow the franchisor's methods of doing business.

A growing number of businesses have chosen franchising as a cost effective means of expansion as it is a proven and complete business model. It offers the opportunity to start your own business without uncertainty as the brand has already been established and made clear that the product or service sells. The franchisor will also provide ongoing support, training and marketing.

Considerable expertise should however be invested in drafting the franchise agreement to ensure that the respective roles, obligations and restrictions are made clear at the outset. Our solicitors can offer full and comprehensive advice if a franchise is the way forward for you.

We'd be happy to answer your questions! Call us on 01202 299992 or enquire online.

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