Home > For Business > Corporate > Corporate Services

Corporate Services

We have great experience in dealing with all aspects of business transactions, including (click any link on the left for further information):

Acquiring a Business

It is crucial that your investment in a new business is underpinned by a comprehensive acquisition agreement. This needs to be unambiguous about what is being bought and what is excluded, what the seller says about the business and how the price will be calculated. We will work closely with your accountant, assist you with negotiations, help you structure the agreement and put this into effect.

Business Structure

Important considerations arise both when a business starts up and when it grows and develops. What form should the business take? How does that affect the organisation and management? How does it affect the relationship between owners and management.? What are the tax and other considerations? We guide you through the maze.

Employment Issues

The employees are a crucial part of any business. We advise on how the law will treat them in the context of your transaction. You may need to inform and consult with them. You may need to deal with the risk of losing key people or the threat or direct competition from them if they leave. You may need to introduce a new management team or new contract terms. Our employment department will guide you through this minefield.

Intellectual Property Issues

Increasingly, the value of businesses is becoming less tangible. The ownership of designs and trademarks which identify the business in the market place are of great importance. Of equal importance may be confidential information, trade secrets and know-how. You may also have product inventions or designs, as well as important business records, such as a customer database. You need sound advice to enable you to protect these business assets.

Management Buy-Outs/Buy-Ins

Both parties to the sale of a business, or an interest in a business, need advice. This will range from the confidentiality of the discussions, to the assets to be acquired and the warranties to be given. We provide a comprehensive service, both in terms of advice and the preparation of documents. We work closely with your accountants and other advisers, to make sure that the transaction progresses as swiftly and effectively as possible.

New Business Start-Ups

Legal issues arise in relation to new business start-ups. These concern not only the most appropriate vehicle for your business but also many of the functions which it will perform. We have expertise in the relevant law, ranging from products and services to production, from marketing and sales, to management and organisation. Our integrated and co-ordinated approach to advising a business will give your business a clear vision of its legal responsibilities, so that you can drive it forward in the right way.

Partnership Agreements

A partnership agreement needs to reflect both the wishes of the partners in the business and the professional environment in which they operate. We tailor the agreement to meet your needs and your area of operation or practice. With clients such as accountants, solicitors, surveyors, architects, doctors, dentists, opticians and veterinary surgeons, we have wide experience in drafting partnership documents and advising on the related issues.

Raising Finance

When you have sought advice on the nature of the finance that you need to raise, we can assist you by advising on the terms attached to an offer of finance, on guarantees and personal liability, as well as in relation to the security to be given. We can help you decide which funding arrangement is right for you.

Selling a Business

The sale of a business involves dealing with a number of legal obligations. We assist you in disclosing information to the intended purchaser and in negotiating the terms of the contract. You may have continuing involvement after the sale, for example, with an ‘earn out’ or consultancy arrangement. We advise you on the obligations and responsibilities and we can assist you in recovering what is due to you.

Taxation Issues

A number of taxation issues arise in connection with the acquisition and sale of businesses and assets. We work closely with your accountants and other professional advisers, to produce the most efficient and tax-effective arrangement in every case.

WMK’s corporate team is here to help you make sense of the issues and guide you towards the right decisions to assist your business.

Contact Paul Venton or Mark Williams on 020 8300 9321 or email them on pventon@wmk-law.com or mwilliams@wmk-law.com alternatively Contact Us