Our company and corporate department is involved in setting up companies limited by shares and advising on buying and selling businesses. We also advise on amendments and implications of memoranda of association and articles of association; shareholders agreements and directors’ and trustees’ responsibilities. We prepare shareholders agreements by reviewing and considering the articles of association to ensure that shareholders’ interests are properly protected.

In particular, we are often asked to protect the interests of minority shareholders - this involves a consideration of companies’ constitutions and the rights granted in conjunction with the Companies Act UK. The value of preparing detailed shareholders agreements is realised when shareholders are in dispute. The scope of the dispute is generally restricted by the terms of the agreement.

Our solicitors have well over 50 years experience advising on company and corporate matters. Our solicitors have lectured on proper methods of corporate governance and company law.

Our company solicitors assist businesses in purchasing other businesses whether incorporated on unincorporated. Our solicitors have acted on quite a number of multi-million pound acquisitions and disposals, restructures and demergers on both sides of the Atlantic and across Europe.

We have provided company legal advice in respect to:

• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Purchase and sale of private limited companies
• Setting up joint venture entities and group company structures
• Management buy-outs
• Advising upon and setting up distributorships
• Due diligence
• Setting up offshore companies
• Agency agreements
• Assisting in formulating franchise arrangements and structures
• Advising upon the suitability of charities and companies limited by guarantee
• Private company structures
• Employment matters
• Structuring private companies to manage liability and risk
• Buying and selling businesses
• Securing property interests
• Demergers