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SERVICES
FOR BUSINESS

COMMERCIAL SOLICITORS IN READING & HENLEY

We understand that all businesses are different and have their own unique priorities.

From your initial enquiry through to the conclusion of your legal matter, we will make every effort to tailor our services to meet the precise requirements of you and your business. We take a holistic approach to build long-term relationships with our clients, pooling the expertise of specialist commercial teams and looking ahead to the future.

We will ensure we explain your options in plain English and provide a transparent breakdown of our fee structure, meaning you can have complete confidence about the choices you make and how they fit with your overall priorities. You can decide on the level of support and contact with which you feel comfortable.

Malcolm Head

Solicitor/Consultant – Corporate & Commercial

Terms, Conditions & Contracts

Properly drafted terms, conditions and contracts are the bedrock of any successful business. As your business grows and you introduce new products or services, you’ll need to review your general terms and conditions of business, or the contracts which reflect particular transactions or relationships with customers and suppliers. A well drafted agreement can add significant value to your business whereas poorly drafted documents can be worse than no document at all.

Terms and conditions may all look much the same if you just skim them briefly but in fact they vary greatly because they can cover many different situations and should reflect the business they are written for. We unfortunately spend quite a lot of time advising people who have ‘copied and pasted’ T&Cs without understanding them and find out too late they are not fit for their business when they need to rely on them.

It is vital to understand and be able to enforce your rights in any business relationship, we will ensure that you set the right tone in your negotiations and that you manage the progress of your contracts to ensure the best results for you and your business.

How we can help

Terms & Conditions, contracts and commercial agreements need to reflect your business, so we strive to understand how you work and we tailor our agreements to fit your business requirements. We can draft, advise and negotiate on a range of commercial contracts for the provision of goods and services and make sure that your business is protected by written agreements that meets your needs and protects you interests and assets. Contact Sanjay Soni or Malcom Head to see how we can help with your business.

We are very aware of the budget limitations of small businesses and factor that into our advice, including an initial free consultation to advise you on the best steps forward.

Corporate Structures

Companies mature and evolve over time and the ownership structure of the company will need to be flexible enough to enable this. In a company limited by shares, the Company’s Articles of Association and any shareholders agreements will settle the way in which shares can be bought and sold. Our business services team has a wealth of experience in advising companies that are looking to reorganise their company structure or increase their shareholding. We have the experience required to draft paperwork and advise in respect of:
  • Share allotments and new issues
  • Creating different classifications of shares
  • Subscription and Investment Agreements
  • Shareholder Agreements and Joint Venture Agreements
  • Off market share purchases
  • Share cancellations
  • Sub-division of share capital
  • Loan notes
  • Reducing share capital

We act for businesses of all sizes, from sole traders looking to move to larger premises to large companies or investors wanting to expand or dispose of their property portfolio, with vacant possession or subject to occupational leases.

We understand the commercial imperative that lies behind the need for professional legal support in commercial property sales or acquisitions, and we keep the business objectives in front of mind so that our legal advice is credible, cost-effective and practical in their marketplace.

How we can help
We think it’s really important for any legal advice for your business to be clear and practical, and, if appropriate, to give you a range of options for you to choose the right way forward for your business. We can assist you with choosing the correct corporate structure for your business whether that be to protect the existing shareholders, encourage new investment, allow for retirements or plan an exit. Contact Sanjay Soni or Malcom Head to see how we can help with your business.
We can help you choose the correct corporate structure for your business to protect the existing shareholders, encourage new investment, allow for retirements or plan an exit.

Shareholder Agreements

The structure for running a limited company is set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association as registered at Companies House. However, in a small privately owned company this does not give the owner necessary protection and appropriately document the relationship between shareholders.

It is vital that the shareholders prepare a Shareholders Agreement which documents what happens if:

  • a shareholder wants to leave, how the relationship is terminated, how the assets are valued and whether the shares remain with the shareholder or whether they are required to return to the company
  • if a shareholder dies what happens to their shares, how they are valued and whether they are passed to their beneficiaries or whether they are required to come back into the company
  • there is an arm’s length transfer of shares or an offer for the company
  • on a day-to-day basis, how the business is run, what decisions need to be unanimous and what can be left to individual shareholders
Our business services team have prepared Shareholder Agreements for all sizes of companies and know how to tailor them to meet your specific requirements.
How we can help
We offer a free initial meeting to discuss the areas of importance for your company and supply you with a checklist identifying those topics which shareholders should discuss and agree on at the time of forming a business. In many circumstances we can offer you a fixed fee for drafting a Shareholder’s Agreement and putting in place protections you need. Contact Sanjay Soni or Malcom Head to see how we can help with your business.
In many circumstances we can offer you a fixed fee for drafting a Shareholder’s Agreement and putting in place protections you need.

Mergers & Acquisitions

We have many years of experience both buying and selling all types and sizes of organisations. If you are considering purchasing or selling a business then take advantage of our initial free interview to prepare you for the process and outline the type process you will need to follow.

We are experienced at guiding businesses and their management team from the early stages of negotiation all the way through to completion. We understand that if you are buying or selling that there is a need to move as quickly as you require without compromising the protections you need.

The process of buying and selling a company
In brief, this centres around:
  • the need for Non-disclosure and Confidentiality Agreements at the beginning or prior to negotiations
  • all aspects of Legal Due Diligence
  • preparing Heads of Terms
  • preparing, negotiating and concluding the sales/purchase agreements for the business, and the warranties and disclosure letters which underpin the transaction
How we can help
Buying or selling a business can be a complex and expensive process. Whether you are looking for companies to acquire or wish to maximise the success of the company you have worked hard to manage and grow, you need to ensure you have experienced legal advisers with you from the start. Our corporate solicitors are ideally suited to helping you achieve the best commercial solutions to meet your objectives and will work to identify all the internal and external factors that could influence your activities. Contact Sanjay Soni or Malcom Head to see how we can help with your business.
Whether you are looking for companies to acquire, or are looking to sell the company you have worked hard to grow, we can help.

Partnership Agreements

Choosing the appropriate partnership structure for your business venture is important because it affects many aspects down the road such as legal protection and levels of taxation. It also not a simple matter to change structures later.

Whilst there is no legal obligation requiring a business partnership to put in place a Partnership Agreement it is very important to do so in order to regulate the business relationship because the law does not adequately provide for many issues which can arise in the modern world.

It is vital that Partners in a business address and document the following:

  • on a day to day basis, how the Partnership is run, what decisions need to be unanimous and what can be left to individual Partners
  • how profits and losses of the business are to be distributed
  • how the decision-making process is to be implemented and votes are distributed
  • if a Partner wants to leave, or dies, how the relationship is terminated and how the assets and the profits of the business are divided
How we can help
We offer a free initial meeting to discuss the areas that are important for your business and supply you with a checklist identifying those topics which prospective Partners should discuss and agree on at the time of forming the business. In many circumstances we can offer you a fixed fee for drafting a Partnership Agreement and putting in place the protections you need. Contact Sanjay Soni or Malcom Head to see how we can help with your business.
We can supply you with a checklist to identify the topics Partners should discuss and agree on at the time of forming the business.

Franchising, Agency & Distribution

Franchising, Agency and Distribution arrangements are common methods of expanding and growing a business. Normally, in return for a management fee you will be granted a licence, distribution agreement or agency arrangement and a commercial support package to help the operate that business. Our team can assist franchisors, franchisees, agents and distributors in establishing and optimising operations including:
  • franchise operation structure and documentation
  • agency and distribution agreements
  • intellectual property usage and protection
  • compliance and the necessary registrations
  • confidentiality agreements
  • data protection
  • consultancy and outsourcing agreements
  • legal implications for franchisors, franchisees, agents, agencies, distributors
How we can help
Franchising, agency and distribution agreements may have similar objectives but they are very different business models and each require a sound understanding of the benefits, challenges and legal implications.Contact Sanjay Soni or Malcom Head to see how we can help with your business.
Our team can assist franchisors, franchisees, agents and distributors in establishing and optimising their operations

news & insights

Our insights into the law in plain English, so you know when it happens, what it means, and how it may affect you.

A checklist to help prepare your company for sale

The successful sale of a company can hinge on getting your house in order in advance. A buyer will want key information as part of ...

How and Why are Shareholder Agreements used?

Shareholder Agreements with clear and concise terms and processes give much-needed protection and transparency to shareholders if a dispute arises or an unexpected event such ...

Tactics for getting a deal done and a contract in place

The contract type you use can often influence how quickly a deal gets done.
See all of our news stories

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We are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority (“SRA”). Our SRA number is 8007346. We are a limited company registered in England and Wales with registered number 15367192.
FOR INDIVIDUALS

FOR BUSINESSES

LINKS
READING OFFICE
9 Chalfont Court
Lower Earley
Reading
Berkshire RG6 5SY
HENLEY, BELL STREET OFFICE
64 Bell Street
Henley on Thames
Oxfordshire RG9 2BN
HENLEY, DUKE STREET OFFICE
2 Duke Street
Henley on Thames
Oxfordshire RG9 1UP

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