Corporate Legal

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We represent companies, founders, management teams, wealth owners, venture capital funds and investors.

We guide them through the start-up process, venture capital financing, mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, exits and listings, giving insightful board level and corporate governance advice each step of the way.

We help our clients navigate not just the present, but the future; anticipating regulatory change, the impact of evolving technologies and the pressure of a dynamic landscape of culture, governance and innovation.

From emerging companies to market leading businesses, our clients compete in fast moving and innovative industries including software, biotech, digital communications, life sciences, healthtech and financial services. We advise some of the leading innovators and operators in more traditional sectors such as real estate, hospitality, retail and sport, all industries themselves in the process of dynamic change.

Our corporate solicitors and legal team is an integral part of the wider Z group future. As experts in helping innovative companies to grow, we invest a great deal of time and effort in developing our own resources, people, tools and processes to help transform the client experience. We collaborate closely with specialists across the firm particularly our chartered accountant colleagues to provide a comprehensive offering incorporating tax, commercial agreements, IP, executive compensation, employee incentive arrangements, and real estate, all tailored towards supporting our clients through their journey of development and growth.

Our corporate solicitors advise on:

Business Start ups

Starting a business involves many moving parts, and ensuring that the legal framework is in place from the beginning is essential for long-term success. We can assist with the following key areas:

  • Joint venture and shareholder agreements to help regulate relationships between shareholders, ensuring clarity and protection for all parties.
  • Establishing the legal infrastructure needed for E-Commerce, ensuring that your company website complies with legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Drafting terms and conditions, commercial contracts, and distribution agreements to cover all aspects of traditional business relationships.
  • Advising on profit-sharing schemes, growth shares, and tax-efficient EIS schemes to incentivize employees as your business expands.

By addressing these crucial areas, we help new businesses establish a solid foundation for growth and success.

Corporate Finance & Fundraising

As businesses grow, the need for additional capital and investment becomes crucial. With banks retreating from the SME market, companies are turning to more imaginative schemes to attract investment, many of which offer significant tax benefits. We can assist with the following key areas:

  • Structuring tax-efficient investment vehicles to ensure compliance and cost-effectiveness, leveraging our hybrid expertise in both legal and accounting matters.
  • Providing corporate tax advice and valuations that meet HMRC’s criteria, ensuring your business is in the best financial position.
  • Advising on non-tax-based investment vehicles, including Advance Subscription Agreements, Convertible Loan Notes, and bespoke investment instruments tailored to your needs.
  • Assisting larger businesses with institutional investment by providing support for listings on exchanges such as AIM, along with compliance and risk management services.

Mergers, Acquisitions & Disposals

For all businesses, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) are essential for acquiring or disposing of companies. For SMEs, this is often how founders monetize the value they’ve grown in their business over the years. We can assist with the following key areas:

  • Assisting business owners who wish to dispose of their business for retirement or to pursue new ventures.
  • Supporting businesses looking to grow and expand through mergers or acquisitions.
  • Advising on sale and purchase agreements, due diligence, and providing appropriate tax advice for both acquisitions and disposals.

By guiding SMEs through each step of the process, we ensure a smooth and effective transaction, whether you’re selling or acquiring a business.

Restructuring Due to Business Reorganization or Insolvency

Businesses need to restructure for a variety of purposes, and ensuring that the correct legal framework is in place is essential. We can assist with the following key areas:

  • Separating intellectual property from the trading entity to safeguard it in the event that the trading entity suffers economic difficulties.
  • Restructuring to accommodate the wishes of investors, ensuring that the business aligns with investor requirements.
  • Securitizing debt, for example, in respect of factoring or trade financing agreements, to help businesses manage their financial obligations.
  • Assisting in insolvency situations in a compliant manner, helping stakeholders preserve key assets and potentially allowing the business to continue trading.

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