Harper James is a modern, full-service commercial law firm for ambitious businesses, from start-ups and scale-ups to established companies. Our experienced senior lawyers advise on the laws of England and Wales, combining practical commercial judgement with flexible support that adapts as your business develops.
A strong business needs legal advice that keeps pace with its decisions, not advice that sits apart from them. Whether you are protecting a big idea, securing investment, negotiating contracts, hiring your team or preparing for an exit, Harper James connects legal issues to the commercial choices in front of you.
When you are forming a business, the early decisions matter. We advise on structure, investment, director duties, shareholder agreements, intellectual property, recruitment and the contracts that give your company a sound foundation. Explore support for the big idea and the practical challenges that come with getting started.
As your team and operations grow, legal needs become more connected. Employment, data protection, software licensing, commercial contracts and disputes can all affect the same business decision. Our lawyers work across business law, bringing in the right specialists so you receive coordinated advice rather than repeatedly briefing different advisers.
Harper James gives businesses access to 80+ lawyers with an average of 17 years’ post-qualification experience. They consider your objectives, timing, risk appetite and budget alongside the legal position, explaining the options and trade-offs in clear, practical language.
Our full-service capability covers the areas ambitious businesses rely on most:
This breadth is particularly valuable when a business is scaling, entering a new market or preparing for a transaction. Corporate, employment, incentives, intellectual property, data and commercial lawyers can work together around the same objective, helping you understand material risks and decide what needs attention first.
Different businesses need different ways to access legal expertise. Engage provides project-based or ad hoc support for a defined matter, without a subscription commitment. It suits individual transactions, contracts, disputes and occasional legal requirements where clear scope and an agreed basis of charging are important.
Enable is a 12-month subscription plan for start-ups and smaller businesses seeking ongoing access to legal support. It combines a monthly fee, monthly credit towards legal work and discounted hourly rates, giving your business a more consistent way to address recurring needs.
Extend is a managed annual subscription for businesses with more frequent or complex legal requirements. It provides agreed legal support, dedicated account management and priority access to a curated team of experienced lawyers. It can operate as an outsourced legal function or alongside an in-house legal team, with the relationship developing as your priorities change.
Fixed-fee and fixed-scope services provide focused support for specific requirements. These include a Data Protection Health Check, HR Compliance Audit, Lease ‘MOT’ Review Service, Outsourced Data Protection Officer, Share Plan Management, Company Secretarial Service and Trade Mark Monitoring Service.
Our remote-first, technology-enabled model gives businesses access to senior legal expertise across the UK and internationally. Technology and dedicated business services reduce routine administrative work, while lawyers remain responsible for legal advice, judgement and client service.
Harper James was founded in 2014 by Toby Harper, Founder and CEO, and has supported more than 8,000 businesses since then. The firm is headquartered in Birmingham, with regional spaces in Cardiff, Cambridge, London, Manchester, Oxford, Sheffield and Southampton. Face-to-face meetings are available by arrangement.
Harper James supports founders, CEOs, finance leaders, HR and people leaders, General Counsel, in-house lawyers, heads of compliance and procurement teams. We work with businesses that need a trusted legal relationship, as well as teams that need extra capacity or specialist expertise for a defined matter.
That support can begin with getting started, continue as your team gets on with running the business, and expand when you are scaling up. It can also focus on a single commercial contract, funding round, property matter, data incident or dispute.
Better value from legal spend is about more than cost. It means receiving advice that is useful, proportionate and connected to the decision you need to make. With clear scope, transparent costs and flexible service plans, Harper James helps you prioritise legal work while retaining access to experienced lawyers.
Harper James is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, SRA number 612099, and holds Cyber Essentials Plus certification. The firm is ranked Band 1 for SME-focused Firms, UK-wide, in the Chambers UK 2026 and 2027 guides, and Band 1 for SME-focused Firms in the Midlands in the 2027 guide.
From a first business structure to an acquisition, a new market or an exit, your legal needs will change with your ambitions. Harper James provides the expertise, continuity and practical support to help you make informed decisions at each stage. Find more practical insights for the legal issues shaping ambitious businesses.