Business Legal Services

We offer a wide range of legal services for businesses of all sizes, with pricing plans designed for start-up, small and venture-backed businesses and medium to large businesses.

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Banking & Finance Law
Business Disputes
Business Immigration Law

We advise businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and educational establishments on all aspects of UK immigration law, from recruiting overseas staff to ensuring ongoing compliance obligations are being met with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

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Commercial Law
Commercial Property Law
Construction Law
Corporate Law
Data Protection & Privacy Law
Employee Share Schemes
Employment Law
Financial Services Regulation
Funding & Investment
Insolvency & Corporate Recovery
Intellectual Property
IT & Commercial Technology Law
Business Life Cycle
Our Business Life Cycle is designed to guide you through the different situations you’re likely to encounter on your business journey.
Overview 
Sectors

Our senior solicitors have built up a wealth of specialist sector knowledge throughout their careers. We appreciate that one size never fits all, which is why we leverage our team’s sector knowledge through a multi-disciplinary approach to providing you with tailored and relevant advice. Our sector focused interest and experience enables us to provide up-to-the-minute advice and help you to anticipate the legal impact of potential future changes on your business.

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Creative Industries

Our creative sector solicitors keep abreast of the latest cases, legislative changes, and industry developments, to ensure our clients receive smart, pragmatic, insightful, and tailored legal services. We provide expert legal advice and representation in relation to all creative endeavours, including clients in advertising and marketing, television, theatre, music, art, publishing, architecture, technology, and all spheres of design.

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Energy, Utilities & Environment

Our energy, utilities and environment solicitors are expert legal advisers to the industry, including individual and institutional investors and funders, technical advisors, developers, entrepreneurs, utility firms, environmental and waste technology companies, landowners, aggregators, CICs, inventors and environmental scientists, contractors and suppliers and have vast experience in the sector.

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Life Sciences

Our multi-disciplinary life sciences legal team has specific sector experience, and our life sciences lawyers cover a range of areas such as risk assessment and management, manufacturing and supply chain issues, compliance review and advice including product liability, intellectual property issues and the development of IP strategies, data protection and GDPR advice, licensing and contractual issues, financial advice and mergers and acquisitions, as well as disputes and litigation management.

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Manufacturing & Engineering

Our manufacturing and engineering lawyers have an in-depth understanding of these sectors and the needs of businesses. We understand the vast and vital contribution manufacturing and engineering businesses make towards the British economy. Our solicitors partner with clients within these sectors to ensure their interests are protected and their commercial ambitions are achieved.

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Public Sector

Whether you’re situated directly within the public sector or you’re a commercial partner, our public sector solicitors can help you with all areas of business law you’re likely to need advice on, from banking and finance, commercial tenders and contracts, dispute resolution, real estate, intellectual property, data protection, employment law and much more.

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Retail & Luxury Brands

Whatever your business within the retail sector, our retail lawyers understand this challenging market and work across a range of areas including e-commerce, corporate and commercial, commercial property, dispute resolution and employment law to help advise and provide solutions for your business.

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Sports

Our sports law solicitors have expertise in the latest sports law and they also understand the industry; including its structures, regulations, challenges, pressures, trends, and developments.
We offer legal advice and representation to national governing bodies, international federations, sports clubs, and athletes in any sport, whether amateur or professional.

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Start-ups

Our team of experienced senior solicitors are business and finance law specialists, with a proven track record in supporting start-ups – they have the legal skills and experience to help founders who want to get things right from day one. We act for start-up companies, entrepreneurs, founders, boards and individual directors of early-stage companies, financial institutions, and investors considering investment under the EIS and SEIS schemes.

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Technology

Our expert technology solicitors advise both specialist technology companies as well as their partners, customers, and users. We understand the commercial issues involved in tech depend on the services and products involved, which is why we endeavour to understand your niche and its implications. Whether you are a crowdfunded start-up or a large multi-national, our dedicated team of technology specialists are adept at acting for you wherever and whenever technology defines or intersects your organisation.

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Our Pricing & Service Plans
Our Pricing & Service Plans

We’ve reimagined the way law firms work with businesses to put you in control.

We offer three ways of working together to suit your needs, and thanks to our clever use of technology and remote operating model, they all deliver partner-level expertise with significant savings on ‘city’ law firm prices.

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The Engage Plan

Our Engage plan gives you flexible access to our experienced solicitors, with no fixed monthly cost and low hourly rates, typically £290 per hour. Whatever legal assistance you need, we can support you, and the cost of using our experienced solicitors will provide a significant saving compared to those associated with traditional law firms.

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The Enable Plan

Our Enable plan is a 12-month subscription, costing £215 per month. Included in the subscription is £145 of credit each month, plus access to our Standard Rates at 50% discount, providing consistently great savings on each project we assist you with.

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The Extend Plan

Our Extend plan is a smarter way for high-growth and established businesses to get legal advice. A legal subscription service with dedicated account management, it gives you priority access to a curated team of highly experienced solicitors, whenever you need them, at a budget set by you.

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Fixed Fee Products

Solve common issues with our suite of fixed fee products, giving you clarity on costs and deliverables.

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About Us

Harper James is a new breed of commercial law firm – a national law firm designed exclusively to champion ambitious and entrepreneurial businesses, enabling them to access expert legal advice at an affordable cost when they need it most. We work with start-ups through to established businesses that have been running for years or looking to scale, futurecorns and unicorns as well as those ready to sell and often build their next business.

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Careers

Work with like-minded individuals and free from the bureaucracy of traditional law firms in a truly flexible workplace. We offer career opportunities for solicitors and business support professionals that meet your needs and evolve as you evolve.

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Meet Our Team

Meet the people of Harper James.

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Press & Media

Our solicitors are well-positioned to provide commentary on all manner of commercial legal issue and regularly contribute to both national, sector and industry press.

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What Our Clients Say

A selection of our client testimonials.

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Join our team
Work with like-minded individuals and free from the bureaucracy of traditional law firms in a truly flexible workplace. We offer career opportunities for solicitors and business support professionals that meet your needs and evolve as you evolve.
See Our Open Positions 
News & Insights

The latest news and insights from Harper James including our ‘Meet the client’ interview series, case studies, legal updates, events and webinars, podcasts, videos and spotlights on our solicitors.

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Company News

The latest Harper James news.

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Client Stories

Examples of some of the exciting work and waves our clients are making as well as in-depth client interviews and stories.

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Events & Webinars

Providing practical insights and Q&A opportunities based on common legal challenges.

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Podcasts & Videos

Watch and listen to our latest podcasts and videos featuring client and Harper James interviews and stories.

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Thoughts & Opinions

Our views and perspectives on some of the latest developments.

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Knowledge Hub for Growth

Our free resource designed to help your business overcome challenges and realise its potential. Written by lawyers and business experts, these resources will help you decipher legal terminology and tackle key milestones from securing funding and growing your team, to protecting your ideas and expanding to new markets.

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Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Receive the latest legal insights, practical guides, client stories and other news.
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Contact Us

Please leave us your details and we’ll contact you to discuss your situation and legal requirements. There’s no charge for your consultation, and no obligation to instruct us. We aim to respond to all messages received within 24 hours.

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Make An Enquiry
Get in Touch
Request A Call Back
Get in Touch
Offices
Get in Touch
Offices
We mainly work remotely, so we can work with you wherever you are. But we can arrange face-to-face meeting at our offices or a location of your choosing.
Overview 

Knowledge Hub
for Growth

As entrepreneurs ourselves, we know first-hand how difficult it can be to start and scale a business. That’s why we’ve created this knowledge hub – a free resource designed to help your business overcome legal challenges and realise its potential.

Knowledge Hub
Choose topic
Business Disputes Business Growth Business Immigration Business Planning Commercial Law Commercial Property Corporate Law Data Protection Employee Share Schemes Employment Law Finance & Investment Law Financial Services Regulation Insolvency & Corporate Recovery Intellectual Property International Trade and Brexit Recession Busting
Business Disputes

Business Disputes

80 resources

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Updated 19 hours ago
Co-founder dispute: How to resolve a dispute with a co-founder 
Article
Article
8 mins read
Updated 1 week ago
How to make a breach of contract claim 
Article
Article
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Updated 2 weeks ago
Economic torts: Protecting your business from unlawful interference 
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Updated 4 weeks ago
How to serve a statutory demand 
Article
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Updated 1 month ago
How to respond to negative reviews online 
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Show all 80 resources 
Business Growth

Business Growth

36 resources

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Updated 5 months ago
How to get funding for your startup: Angel investors 
Article
Article
9 mins read
Updated 1 year ago
What is a founders agreement and why do you need one? 
Article
Article
3 mins read
Updated 1 year ago
Step-by-step guide to equity crowdfunding 
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Article
8 mins read
Updated 1 year ago
How entrepreneurs ride the ups and downs of the business life cycle 
Whitepaper
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Updated 1 year ago
Private equity vs venture capital: what’s the difference? 
Article
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4 mins read
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Business Immigration

Business Immigration

23 resources

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Updated 5 months ago
FAQ on supplementary employment under the UK immigration rules 
Article
Article
5 mins read
Updated 9 months ago
A guide to the Innovator Founder visa 
Article
Article
6 mins read
Updated 9 months ago
A guide to sponsor licence duties: compliance, record keeping and reporting 
Article
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Updated 9 months ago
The immigration health surcharge: how does it work? 
Article
Article
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Updated 1 year ago
What to do if Your Sponsor Licence Application is Rejected or Refused 
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Show all 23 resources 
Business Planning

Business Planning

12 resources

View All 
Updated 1 year ago
How entrepreneurs ride the ups and downs of the business life cycle 
Whitepaper
Whitepaper
Updated 2 years ago
Everything you need to know about start-up business structures 
Article
Article
9 mins read
Updated 2 years ago
How to choose the right business structure 
Article
Article
5 mins read
Updated 3 years ago
Small business dividends: how do they work? 
Article
Article
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Updated 3 years ago
What happens if you don’t have a shareholders’ agreement in place? 
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Article
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Show all 12 resources 
Commercial Law

Commercial Law

96 resources

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Updated 6 days ago
GC Focus: Contract management strategies 
Article
Article
6 mins read
Updated 2 weeks ago
Economic torts: Protecting your business from unlawful interference 
Article
Article
8 mins read
Updated 2 weeks ago
Franchise buying guide: Choosing the right franchise model (Part 4) 
Article
Article
9 mins read
Updated 2 weeks ago
Franchise buying guide: Understanding costs and profitability (Part 3) 
Article
Article
3 mins read
Updated 3 weeks ago
Franchise buying guide: Making the right choice (Part 1) 
Article
Article
7 mins read
Show all 96 resources 
Commercial Property

Commercial Property

82 resources

View All 
Updated 2 weeks ago
What is a Section 106 agreement? 
Article
Article
7 mins read
Updated 1 month ago
Rent reviews in commercial leases 
Article
Article
12 mins read
Updated 1 month ago
Crane oversail licences 
Article
Article
7 mins read
Updated 2 months ago
Commercial bridging loans 
Article
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10 mins read
Updated 2 months ago
Commercial lease renewals – A guide for landlords and tenants 
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Show all 82 resources 

Most read

Express and implied terms of a contract
What is indirect or consequential loss?
Dismissing an employee with less than 2 years’ service 
Share Purchase Agreements (SPA): your practical legal guide
Contract auto-renewal provisions
How to remove a director and avoid future legal disputes
Language discrimination in the workplace: what employers should know
How to ensure recruitment and selection processes are fair
Corporate Law

Corporate Law

133 resources

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Updated 2 days ago
Compulsory liquidation: an overview 
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Updated 2 weeks ago
How to conduct thorough due diligence when buying a business 
Article
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Updated 1 month ago
How to remove a director and avoid future legal disputes 
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Updated 1 month ago
How to increase share value via a share buyback 
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Updated 1 month ago
A guide to breaches of shareholder agreements 
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Article
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Show all 133 resources 
Data Protection

Data Protection

63 resources

View All 
Updated 6 days ago
GC Focus: Contract management strategies 
Article
Article
6 mins read
Updated 6 days ago
GC focus: Data protection priorities 
Article
Article
4 mins read
Updated 1 month ago
How will data protection training protect my business? 
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Updated 1 month ago
Suppliers as data processors: Mastering GDPR due diligence to secure contracts 
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7 mins read
Updated 2 months ago
How to run a cyber security risk assessment 
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Show all 63 resources 
Employee Share Schemes

Employee Share Schemes

23 resources

View All 
Updated 3 weeks ago
How does a sale to an Employee Ownership Trust compare to a traditional trade sale? 
Article
Article
6 mins read
Updated 1 month ago
Setting up EMI share schemes: why correct legal documentation is essential 
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Article
4 mins read
Updated 1 month ago
Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs): FAQs for businesses looking to exit 
Article
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11 mins read
Updated 1 month ago
Six key questions to help you decide if an employee ownership trust is right for you 
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4 mins read
Updated 2 months ago
Employee share schemes: what to consider before buying a business 
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Article
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Show all 23 resources 
Employment Law

Employment Law

107 resources

View All 
Updated 1 week ago
The Employment Rights Bill – what do you need to know? 
Article
Article
27 mins read
Updated 3 weeks ago
Founder focus: employment law essentials 
Article
Article
18 mins read
Updated 1 month ago
Menopause in the workplace: A guide for employers 
Article
Article
12 mins read
Updated 1 month ago
The new Employment Rights Bill – what it means for UK employers 
Article
Article
4 mins read
Updated 2 months ago
GC focus: employment law priorities 
Article
Article
15 mins read
Show all 107 resources 
Finance & Investment Law

Finance & Investment Law

31 resources

View All 
Updated 11 months ago
Convertible loan note explained 
Article
Article
8 mins read
Updated 1 year ago
Corporate insolvency: Administration 
Article
Article
10 mins read
Updated 1 year ago
Corporate insolvency: schemes of arrangement 
Article
Article
8 mins read
Updated 1 year ago
Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) Vs Convertible Notes  
Article
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8 mins read
Updated 1 year ago
What’s the difference between a credit facility and a loan? 
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Show all 31 resources 
Financial Services Regulation

Financial Services Regulation

31 resources

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Updated 1 week ago
FCA authorisation FAQs 
Article
Article
8 mins read
Updated 3 weeks ago
Buy now pay later: Impact of proposed regulation on providers and e-commerce businesses 
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Article
8 mins read
Updated 3 weeks ago
Understanding Payment Initiation Services regulations and implementation 
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Article
5 mins read
Updated 2 months ago
Unsuccessful FCA authorisation application? Your trouble-shooting guide 
Article
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6 mins read
Updated 2 months ago
FCA’s paradigm shift: Consumer Duty 
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Show all 31 resources 
Insolvency & Corporate Recovery

Insolvency & Corporate Recovery

46 resources

View All 
Updated 2 days ago
Compulsory liquidation: an overview 
Article
Article
8 mins read
Updated 1 week ago
Misfeasance claim by an insolvency practitioner against directors 
Article
Article
5 mins read
Updated 1 month ago
What to do if you can’t pay a bounce back loan 
Article
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Updated 3 months ago
Preference payments 
Article
Article
7 mins read
Updated 4 months ago
Bank Failures: How to respond to financial risk and mitigate exposure? 
Article
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5 mins read
Show all 46 resources 
Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property

94 resources

View All 
Updated 5 days ago
Copyright infringement and your brand’s social media channels 
Article
Article
6 mins read
Updated 1 week ago
Registered Designs – How to register your design 
Article
Article
8 mins read
Updated 1 week ago
Trade mark revocation for non-use 
Article
Article
7 mins read
Updated 3 weeks ago
Amazon Brand Registry – How to apply 
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Article
7 mins read
Updated 3 weeks ago
A business owners guide to copyright claims on YouTube 
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11 mins read
Show all 94 resources 
International Trade and Brexit

International Trade and Brexit

22 resources

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Updated 1 year ago
What do UK businesses need to know about the EU Digital Services Act? 
Article
Article
9 mins read
Updated 1 year ago
Who is the greater risk to your business? Your customers or your suppliers? 
Article
Article
8 mins read
Updated 3 years ago
Managing risk in supply chain contracts 
Article
Article
10 mins read
Updated 3 years ago
Imports and exports post Brexit: Managing your commercial contracts 
Article
Article
11 mins read
Updated 3 years ago
Reviewing a franchise agreement: What to look out for when buying a franchise 
Article
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13 mins read
Show all 22 resources 
Recession Busting

Recession Busting

16 resources

View All 
Updated 1 month ago
How to increase share value via a share buyback 
Article
Article
5 mins read
Updated 4 months ago
Ending a business contract: What are the initial considerations for businesses? 
Article
Article
6 mins read
Updated 4 months ago
Bank Failures: How to respond to financial risk and mitigate exposure? 
Article
Article
5 mins read
Updated 1 year ago
Who is the greater risk to your business? Your customers or your suppliers? 
Article
Article
8 mins read
Updated 1 year ago
Turnover rent leases: a solution to weather economic uncertainty   
Article
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Show all 16 resources 

How can we help?

To access legal support from just £145 per hour arrange your no-obligation initial consultation to discuss your business requirements.

0800 689 1700

Make an enquiry

0800 689 1700

What next?

Need advice from a law firm designed to support businesses from stat-up to scale-up and beyond? Please leave us your details and we’ll contact you to discuss your situation and legal requirements.  We aim to respond to all messages received within 24 hours.

Your data will only be used by Harper James Solicitors. We will never sell your data and promise to keep it secure. You can find further information in our Privacy Policy.

Our offices

A national law firm

A national law firm

Our commercial lawyers are based in or close to major cities across the UK, providing expert legal advice to clients both locally and nationally.

We mainly work remotely, so we can work with you wherever you are. But we can arrange face-to-face meeting at our offices or a location of your choosing.

Head Office

Birmingham 
Floor 5, Cavendish House, 39-41 Waterloo Street, Birmingham, B2 5PP
Regional Spaces

Cardiff 
Capital Tower Business Centre, 3rd Floor, Capital Tower, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, CF10 3AG
Cambridge 
Stirling House, Cambridge Innovation Park, Denny End Road, Waterbeach, Cambridge, CB25 9QE
Manchester 
13th Floor, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester, M1 4BT
London 
10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP
Oxford 
Harwell Innovation Centre, 173 Curie Avenue, Harwell, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QG
Sheffield 
1st Floor, Dearing House, 1 Young St, Sheffield, S1 4UP
Southampton 
White Building Studios, 1-4 Cumberland Place, Southampton, SO15 2NP
A national law firm

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