Company Commercial

Stones Solicitors Company Commercial Team understands how businesses operate. They advise a wide range of clients from multi million pound companies employing large numbers of people right through to sole traders. Commercial advice is given on a wide range of issues many of which can be central to their business strategy. Our specialist teams of lawyers help clients to first identify and then to achieve their objectives.

At Stones our lawyers aim to get to know clients well and build strong relationships with them to ensure that they understand their business and are able to give them appropriate advice and obtain for them the best results in any given situation. The close working relationship that our Company Commercial lawyers have with our Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Employment and Commercial Property Teams mean that we can offer you a fully integrated service.

We are committed to providing our business clients with services of the very highest quality and value. Our aim is to help you manage your business in the most effective way possible.

As an integral part of the wider Commercial Division at Stones, the Company Commercial team offers clients specialist advice relating to their business structures, commercial contracts and compliance as well as helping clients through the process of buying and selling businesses.

Whether a partnership, company limited by shares, limited liability partnership (LLP) or a sole trader Stones has the experience and knowledge to assist clients with their legal needs. The team has experience in dealing with a broad range of businesses in the agricultural, leisure and tourism, medical, dental and charity sectors.

Click on the links below for further advice

Transactions

Stones will guide you through the process of a business sale or purchase, whether it is the sale and purchase of shares or trading assets and goodwill, from agreeing heads of terms to completion of the purchase or sale. We work closely with other professionals in the transaction such as bankers or accountants to ensure the whole process goes as smoothly as possible.

Stones takes a proactive approach to transactions providing support to clients, balancing law with the other practical needs of the client drawing on our wealth of experience in dealing with transactions, liaising with agents, banks, accountants and other advisers as the need arises.

To contact us click here or click on a member of the team

top of page

Commercial Contracts, Intellectual Property & Information Technology

Every business uses commercial contracts whether in the supply of goods and services to them or by them. When dealing with larger businesses smaller businesses are often presented with contracts or terms of business that can be bewildering and we can help you to understand the implications of those. Where possible businesses should seek to trade on their own terms whether of supply or purchase to ensure, for example, that customers pay promptly, title to goods does not pass until payment has been made and goods or services are delivered on time.

The protection of intellectual property (IP) rights has become increasingly important as businesses recognise the value that IP can add whether it is protecting a business ‘brand' by way of a trademark or the products that a business creates by way of registered design rights and copyright. Permitting others to use your IP can provide an important revenue stream and Stones can assist you with protecting both your IP and the relationship with the person licensed to use your IP.

The use of information technology (IT) has also increased dramatically in the last decade providing a powerful tool for increasing business efficiency. The team can advise on the various contracts that arise in this area from software licences to IT procurement agreements. The internet is a valuable source of information and an important advertising tool. Many businesses now have a domain name whether for providing information to the public or as a means of trading with customers. Stones can help you to prepare and protect the content in the best way to enable your business to trade 'Online'.

To contact us click here or click on a member of the team

top of page

Companies and Shareholders

Companies are regulated by the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) which may be unfamiliar to you and Stones can help you to ensure you comply with the Act. You may want to take advantage of some of the new powers (such as dispensing with your Company Secretary or the requirement to hold an annual general meeting) but have yet to amend your company's constitution to benefit from these powers.

Shareholders as the owners of a company have a key role in the operation of the company so it is recommended that the relationship between shareholders should be governed by a shareholders' agreement. Grievances, and especially deadlock, between shareholders can impact on management time and resources and adversely affect the business.

To contact us click here or click on a member of the team

top of page

Partnerships and LLP's

Partnerships are an alternative and less formal means of a group of people working together for commercial gain. Whilst a business may develop organically into a partnership without formal documentation the default provisions in the Partnership Act 1890 may not suit the business's needs. Formal agreements should be put in place to protect the relationship between the parties for the duration of the partnership and particularly when partners join or leave it.

Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP's) are an alternative way to benefit from limited liability status. Whilst an LLP is a corporate entity it is closer to a partnership than a company. Unlike a company the owners are indistinguishable from the managers. The LLP Regulations will govern an LLP if there is no LLP agreement between the members but if there is an agreement it is not filed at Companies House so it is private. Stones can assist with the incorporation of an LLP and drafting an agreement between the members as well as advising on the Regulations if you do not have an agreement.

To contact us click here or click on a member of the team

top of page

Specialist Sector Advice

Our lawyers advise charity and not for profit clients in relation to constitutional queries, contracts and compliance, working closely with other lawyers in the Stones' Commercial Division and the Private Client department as necessary. Stones can also help with incorporating existing or new charities as well as assisting established charities. Further information is available in relation to Charity and Not for Profit Organisations.

To contact us click here or click on a member of the team

top of page