Business Transactions and Company Growth
At every stage in the life of a business there is the need to have the support of professional advisers on aspects of business and commercial law. Often this is provided alongside the advice of accountants, lenders and investment brokers.
At Brethertons we have a team of over 13 commercial lawyers available to help guide owner-managers, directors and business owners over the hurdles. Advice may include aspects of general commercial trading, fundraising, re-organisation of ownership and trading relationships, and business transactions, as well as compliance with ever-increasing legislation, such as the Companies Act 2006.
Business Start-Ups – legal support
If you need legal advice to get your business off the ground, we can assist on company formation and registrations, as well as providing advice on company share and finance structures and regulatory compliance. Our experience includes setting-up partnerships and LLPs, as well as other business structures, and we have specialist lawyers who advise on intellectual property rights, website and terms and conditions, as well as contracts to formalise relationships with suppliers, customers, contractors and property owners. Our expertise on all types of IT matters has been recognised regionally and nationally.
As well as putting together partnership and shareholders agreements, we can also advise on the roles and responsibilities of partners and directors and draft employment contracts and directors’ service agreements, including the various policies relevant to senior staff and employees.
Company Secretarial Support
We are one of only a few law firms that offers online company secretarial services through our “B-Sec”product. This cost-effective online service provides support for the secure filing of forms, accounts and documentation at Companies House. In conjunction with B-Sec, we can also assist with preparing and submitting Companies House returns and meeting filing deadlines. More about B-Sec.
Acquisitions, Mergers, Disposals and Joint Ventures
(See also our pages on: MBOs and MBIs, Banking and Debt Finance, and PLUS/AIM listings)
Our team of corporate and commercial lawyers has substantial in-depth experience in dealing with all types of company and business transactions.
Risk Management and Employment Law
We will be on hand to identify and advise on areas of legal risk and will be able to provide a review of your new business venture and what a merger means for the business in the short and longer term. Any business transaction, whether it is an acquisition, sale or merger, can often raise important employment issues and TUPE considerations. Our experienced employment lawyers are able to advise on employee contracts, redundancies, employee grievances and handling pending court litigation.
Succession Planning
Succession is always an issue for any owner-managed business and we advice on all aspects of planning and implementation of any proposed transfer or re-organisation.
We are familiar with dealing with all types and size of private company to assist in your growth aspirations and we have a good deal of experience and guidance to offer.
Public Companies – PLUS and AIM
If you are seeking advice on any aspect of flotation or fundraising on PLUS or AIM, we can help you achieve your objectives and work with your financial advisers and brokers in planning for admission and producing relevant documentation, including all reports, registration and filing requirements. (See also our pages on: PLUS/AIM flotation)
We can help you to provide the correct information in the right format and help you in the management of disclosure and directors’ responsibilities.
Listed companies on any capital market will have a greater burden of disclosure to shareholders than private limited companies and there might be tax implications, so although a listing might be an attractive option, we can help you to understand if a listing is right for your company.
