Business life cycle
Getting on with it
Wondering how to optimise and protect your ‘business as usual’?
Things are moving forward and you’re wanting to ensure the fundamentals are in line with the way you see the business shaping. Small disputes and resolutions are likely cropping up.
Understanding your situation
Your team is getting on with it...
You have worked hard and money is coming in, and going out. Your culture has formed but there may have been some disagreements along the way, either with contractors, suppliers, clients or employees. Maybe some of your contracts or policies need changing or enforcing.
New clients or customers means more personal data. What do you need to know about data protection and the dreaded GDPR? Our lawyers remove the risk and empower you with the strategies to keep you on track… smooth sailing.
Here are some of the challenges you may encounter:
Buying or licensing software and hardware
Most businesses are enabled by technology. Signing up to a software licence that does not meet your business needs or exposes you to unexpected liabilities could be an expensive mistake to make. Our specialist solicitors take the time to understand your IT and business needs so that your software licence agreements meet your business requirements.
Dealing with disputes
We can help you across a broad range of commercial, financial and professional disputes varying from smaller claims to much more complex and high-value claims. Our dispute resolution solicitors have many years of experience in resolving disputes for businesses. Rest assured that you’re in safe hands.
Data protection and data breaches
When a data breach occurs, we’ll work quickly to help you minimise its financial and reputational impact. While we deal with the ICO and claimants, you can get on with the day-to-day running of your business.
Employment litigation
Liability relating to claims before, during or after an employee’s time with your business can be costly, disruptive, and stressful. We’ll take on that stress for you so you can concentrate on the bigger picture – managing your business.
Finding and hiring the right people
From templates for simple employment contracts to bespoke contracts for specialist roles or arrangements, including for workers and consultants, we can draft and review all of your employment documentation.
People management and growing your team
We can make sure that your talent policies are in order, that you are consultative and fair and have clear and transparent processes throughout your business. We can also assist with employee share schemes to attract and retain your staff whom you have worked hard to recruit and train.
Policies and agreements
Every business enters into commercial contracts daily, whether they are with customers, suppliers, distributors and so on. Whatever stage you’re at, we can help your business draft, review and negotiate compliant contracts to avoid disputes and litigation, and provide you with the very best representation if you do need to go to court.
Our support in action
News and resources
Join us in celebrating the successes of our clients and discover what we’re doing to champion growing businesses across the UK. Here’s a selection of our latest insights and updates.
How we can help
Legal support that matches your ambition
We act as an extension of your team allowing you to focus on what’s really important
We mainly work remotely, so we can work with you wherever you are. You’ll benefit from a legal team familiar with your business, available on call to give advice and support when you need it. You can rest assured that we are just a phone call away.
Scale up and down the support you require matching your growth and ambition
We’ll help you walk your own path with the legal fundamentals in place. We’re here to support you every step of the way whether that’s getting ready to sell or expanding out into new international markets.
We take a step back to spot the problems and opportunities saving you money and potential trouble later
We cut out the legal jargon where possible, delivering a quality service equal to that of top 100 law firms, at a fraction of the cost. We make expert business legal advice more accessible.
In-house experience giving you confidence to move forward
As entrepreneurs ourselves, we’ve been there before. Almost all of our lawyers have previously worked for a top 100 UK law firm or in-house at large international businesses. We’ll give you straightforward advice you need to move forward in your business journey.
Testimonials
What our clients say
We pride ourselves on delivering an excellent service for clients, but don’t just take our word for it.
As a young and growing fintech company, there have been a number of legal matters that we have needed to manage; such as client contracts, employment contracts and fund raising from investors. We’ve used Harper James for around a year and they have provided us with very valuable support through several lenses, not least in our funding round in late 2017, where we raised £1million and Harper James managed the legal side of the transaction. We recommend them without hesitation.
Gareth Morgan
Chief Risk and Compliance Officer,
Delio
The extend service we get from Harper James allows us to combine their expertise with that of our own in-house counsel. It means we can get quick and trustworthy legal advice from specialists in every legal area, as and when we need it. There are no hidden extras and the service we have received has always demonstrated an awareness of our fast-moving commercial requirements.
Amelia Guilfoyle
Head of legal,
Zoopla
Over the years Harper James have helped us navigate complex legal issues and red tape, providing distilled options and legal consultancy that far exceeds the service levels we’ve previously experienced from more traditional law firms. The team act like our own in-house counsel so, regardless of which lawyer we work with, we feel supported and that they truly have our best interests at heart.
Michael Edwards
Co-Founder,
Inspire Group
Harper James is a brilliant example of a company disrupting a traditional industry. Suddenly Solicitors become relevant and accessible for start-ups & small enterprises, with the best in-class knowledge of all major legal areas. I’ve used the business now for a year, and the Enable plan has been perfect for budgeting my company’s outgoings, and has given me a piece of mind when tackling key, decisive issues. Thank-you HJS!
Koral Ibrahim
Founder & MD,
The Ready House
We rely on Harper James to provide us with support across a full range of service areas, from commercial contracts and employment issues to fundraisings and investments. The team at Harper James are always available to provide us with cost effective, pragmatic and commercially focused advice.
Nick Holzherr
CEO,
Whisk.com
As a young and growing fintech company, there have been a number of legal matters that we have needed to manage; such as client contracts, employment contracts and fund raising from investors. We’ve used Harper James for around a year and they have provided us with very valuable support through several lenses, not least in our funding round in late 2017, where we raised £1million and Harper James managed the legal side of the transaction. We recommend them without hesitation.
Gareth Morgan
Chief Risk and Compliance Officer,
Delio
The extend service we get from Harper James allows us to combine their expertise with that of our own in-house counsel. It means we can get quick and trustworthy legal advice from specialists in every legal area, as and when we need it. There are no hidden extras and the service we have received has always demonstrated an awareness of our fast-moving commercial requirements.
Amelia Guilfoyle
Head of legal,
Zoopla
Over the years Harper James have helped us navigate complex legal issues and red tape, providing distilled options and legal consultancy that far exceeds the service levels we’ve previously experienced from more traditional law firms. The team act like our own in-house counsel so, regardless of which lawyer we work with, we feel supported and that they truly have our best interests at heart.
Michael Edwards
Co-Founder,
Inspire Group
Harper James is a brilliant example of a company disrupting a traditional industry. Suddenly Solicitors become relevant and accessible for start-ups & small enterprises, with the best in-class knowledge of all major legal areas. I’ve used the business now for a year, and the Enable plan has been perfect for budgeting my company’s outgoings, and has given me a piece of mind when tackling key, decisive issues. Thank-you HJS!
Koral Ibrahim
Founder & MD,
The Ready House
We rely on Harper James to provide us with support across a full range of service areas, from commercial contracts and employment issues to fundraisings and investments. The team at Harper James are always available to provide us with cost effective, pragmatic and commercially focused advice.
Nick Holzherr
CEO,
Whisk.com
Pricing Plans
Legal support designed
to fit your business needs
Unlike traditional law firms, we’ve designed our service plans specifically to meet the needs of businesses, providing flexibility, value and peace of mind. Our three transparent pricing packages are designed to give you the widest possible access to high-quality legal advice, whatever the size and nature of your business.
Many of our small to medium size clients choose to work with us via our Enable plan. On our Enable plan, you’ll receive advice from our senior solicitors on matters covering any of our services for just £145 per hour. That’s up to 75% off the rates of traditional city firms.
Engage
Flexible access to senior solicitors at highly competitive rates
An alternative to our subscription plans, offering access to full service legal expertise on a project-by-project basis.
Extend
Comprehensive legal partnership for established businesses
Fully account managed and scalable annual subscription plan with support from a curated team of partners and senior solicitors, with up to 34% discount on our Standard Rates.
Enable
Purpose built legal support for start-ups and smaller businesses
Monthly subscription plan for £215 per month, with £145 monthly credit and access to all legal services at 50% discount on our Standard Rates.
Meet our team
We're one phone call away
Almost all of our lawyers have previously worked for a top 100 UK law firm or in-house at large international businesses. Many having achieved partner level or beyond, with at least 10 years post qualified experience.
Simon acts for employers of all sizes, particularly tech and manufacturing, and specialises in managing people matters, including TUPE, sales and acquisitions of companies, and restructures/redundancies.
Jill has specialised in intellectual property protection, dispute resolution, brand and reputation management for over 20 years, having qualified as a solicitor in 1994. Prior to joining Harper James she was a Partner with Blake Morgan who she joined in 1999.
Ian joined our dispute resolution team in 2016 and has over 25 years of experience in handling a broad range of commercial disputes.
Adam is Chief Legal Officer & Head of Corporate, responsible for the legal services aspects of Harper James.
Simon is a very experienced dispute resolution solicitor and has worked in private litigation practice for over 25 years.
Jas is a corporate partner at Harper James Solicitors, advising on corporate governance, mergers & acquisitions, venture capital & investments.
Before joining Harper James, Rob worked for Santander bank as an IP/brand management lawyer and also at Shakespeare Martineau.
Becky is a highly knowledgeable commercial lawyer, specialising in Data Protection and Privacy Law. She can add value to a business by drawing on nearly 20 years of in-house experience.
