Starting a business and running a business both involve various legal issues that you will need to deal with the right way to ensure you are operating legally and effectively. Getting expert legal advice can help you to achieve this and minimise the potential for any future problems that could harm your business.
Ashtons’ corporate and commercial lawyers in Cambridge work with all kinds of businesses – from sole traders to large companies – advising on all of their legal needs. With many years of experience dealing with both routine and more complex matters, we know how to give the right tailored advice to match your unique requirements.
So, whether you are just starting out, are looking to expand or need help with a specific challenge, we can provide the proactive, commercially astute legal support you need.
For creative, business-minded legal guidance in Cambridgeshire, please contact our Cambridge office now.
How we can help your business with corporate law
Business structures
When starting a business or restructuring, getting the right legal framework in place can be critical to set your business up for long-term success. The structure you choose can influence various important issues, including how decisions are made, the taxes you pay and the level of risk you are exposed to if things go wrong.
Our corporate lawyers in Cambridge can explain the various types of business structures and how they might fit your needs. We can then assist with the administrative side of getting a business structure in place e.g. registering with Companies House where required.
We can also assist with matters such as drafting and reviewing partnership agreements and shareholders agreements.
Corporate decision making
Businesses have to be able to make effective decisions that serve the venture’s overall needs in an efficient way. Having the right decision-making processes in place can make this much easier, saving you time and avoiding potential conflict between stakeholders.
We can help you to create appropriate decision-making processes covering issues such as the use of written resolutions and the need for general meetings. We can also advise you on what decisions will need shareholder approval and how this should work.
Terms & conditions
Your terms of business are critical as they help to set expectations for your customers and can provide strong protection in customer disputes, with the potential to save you time, money and damage to your reputation.
Our corporate and commercial team can draft terms and conditions for you, as well as reviewing existing terms and conditions and advising you on where they need updating.
Find out more about our terms of business services.
Commercial contracts & agreements
Every business relies on agreements, including with suppliers, customers and other commercial partners. Making sure those agreements are in writing and legally sound can provide security for your venture and avoid the potential for future disputes.
We can offer expert assistance with drafting and reviewing all types of commercial contracts and agreements, including:
- Investment agreements
- Joint venture agreements
- Outsourcing agreements
- Supplier contracts
- Commercial property agreements
Intellectual property
Your intellectual property (IP) can be critical to the long-term success of your business. This might be as simple as your brand name and logo or might involve more complicated types of IP, such as product designs, technical innovations and databases.
We have strong expertise in IP law, so can offer effective advice on the steps you need to take to protect your intellectual property and what you can do to deal with IP infringement.
Find out more about our intellectual property law services.
Licensing & regulatory compliance
Compliance with various business regulations and licensing rules is essential for all types of businesses, no matter how large or small. Understanding which regulations apply to you, what licences you need and how to achieve compliance can be complicated.
Our team can help your business with all aspects of licensing and regulatory compliance, including licence applications and appeals, understanding your regulatory obligations and responding to any potential regulatory or licensing breaches.
Mergers & acquisitions
If you want to grow your business or diversify, a merger or acquisition can present a fantastic opportunity. However, if this isn’t done the right way, with proper due diligence, you run the risk of hurting your business, rather than strengthening it.
Our corporate lawyers in Cambridgeshire have helped a wide range of businesses with mergers and acquisitions over the years. We can ensure any deal you make reflects your organisation’s best interests and that you get the right legal framework in place, giving you the best chance of continuing to grow and succeed long-term.
Find out more about our expertise with mergers and acquisitions.
Corporate dispute resolution
Legal disputes can be fatal to a business and even less serious disputes can cost you a disproportionate amount of time, money and effort to sort out if you do not take the right approach.
Our litigation team are highly pragmatic when it comes to business disputes, helping you to find a solution that achieves your goals while staying cost-effective. With strong expertise in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), we can generally resolve even the most complicated disputes without the need for court proceedings.
Find out more about our business dispute resolution services.
Contact our corporate & commercial solicitors in Cambridge
To discuss your business’s legal needs with our pragmatic and efficient commercial lawyers in Cambridge, please get in touch.