What, exactly, does the Commercial Law service involve?

Broadly speaking, our Corporate and Commercial department covers all business-related legal issues from sales and acquisitions to commercial agreements, including:

. Buying and selling business assets, including transfer of undertakings

. Business mergers

. Planning exit routes for business proprietors

. Buying and selling shares

. Agency and distribution

. Company formations and re-organisations

. Commercial Agreements

. Directors' service agreements

. Joint Ventures

. Licensing

. Limited Liability Partnerships

. Partnership Deeds

. Shareholder Agreements

. Share options and employee Benefits

. Share restructuring

. Terms and conditions of business

Why do I need Commercial Law advice?

Whether you're a sole trader or partnership, small company or major corporation, it is vital that you get the right advice, that your business arrangements are correctly formulated and that you fully understand the legal implications of any agreement or transaction you enter into. In short, good legal practice can mean the difference between a business's success and failure; between profit and loss - while the right advice can level the playing field when you're competing in a higher league.

Commercial law is a dynamic field. So our experienced team is a particularly progressive one that strives to provide individually tailored solutions to specific business needs with as much commercial flair as legal acumen.

How we work with you

Certain forms of agreement, terms of business and statutory requirements are standard and apply in the same way to all kinds of business - but most are not and require intelligent interpretation and implementation in the light of your area of activity, commercial environment and aspirations. We don't merely react to problems with which we're presented - we ask searching questions, consider your answers and offer carefully considered advice that gives you food for thought.

A lasting partnership

Our aim is to create lasting client solicitor relationships and to ensure that we understand your business and work with you in achieving your aims. Meetings will be arranged with you and either your matter will be dealt with by a Partner or there will be direct partner supervision with a support team that will handle your day-to-day transactions.

As well as working closely with you to achieve your aims and anticipate problems and pitfalls along the way, we work closely with all the firm's other specialist areas (including the Commercial Property, Employment and Litigation teams as well as our Private Client department) to create a seamless legal service that adds up to more than the sum of its parts.

How much will it cost?

In accordance with the Law Society Client Care Procedure you will be notified of our charging policy and you will be provided, wherever possible, with an estimate of the costs. Alternatively we can agree with you a capped limit for costs and would only exceed that with your consent. You will, of course, be informed at regular intervals as to any changes either with regard to our charging rates or with regard to any additional costs.