Business life cycle
Getting started
Time to get the ball rolling?
You’re likely getting contracts and policies in place to ensure the company structure is built to grow. Recruitment, director duties and shareholder agreements need locking down.
Understanding your situation
Time is focused on getting started...
This can be the hardest part but with he right advice, policies and contracts in place, we will have you looking and acting like a ‘proper’ business in no time. We can advise you on what you need to be aware of as a director.
In the haste of getting going, it’s really common for the legal fundamentals to be skipped over but it’s so important to make sure your business is protected and primed to achieve your plan. Getting the right terms and conditions (T&Cs) in place and reviewing any existing agreements will serve you well as you focus on your business.
Here are some of the challenges you may encounter:
Employment contracts
Your people are often your biggest asset, but if employment goes wrong, it can cost you time, money and stress. We’ll put you on the right track from the start and let our industry-leading employment experts take the hassle out of your HR.
Data protection and regulation
As the new owner of a growing business, protecting your company data is vital, alongside complying with strict new data protection regulations. Our data protection solicitors can advise you on a range of data protection law, from what is covered by data protection, preventing breaches and violations to who needs to register.
Directors' duties and contracts
Even if your company is a start-up and you’re the only one running it and hold all the shares, you still have legal duties to your business. We’ll guide you through what you need to know as a new director.
Funding support
We’ll advise you on funding, whether it’s family and friends providing hands-off pre-seed funding, or you’re looking to partner with an investor who’s experienced in your sector. We’ll help you understand your options, make clear the costs and risk, providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions.
Regulatory advice
Our financial services lawyers can assist you with your requirements and walk you through what is needed whether you are applying for authorisation or drafting customer agreements.
Lease on a building/building with equipment
Are you looking for a new location or have you identified premises and are considering the next step? Negotiating a commercial lease can provide many benefits to a business and mitigate risks, if done correctly. Our commercial property team can handle negotiations to ensure you can take the next step correctly.
Restrictive covenants
Restrictive covenants can restrict the activity of employees once they leave a business and help protect your legitimate business interests. Getting them drafted right from the start could make a huge difference for the future profitability and security of your business. We’ll guide you through the process.
Shareholder agreements and equity distribution
Protect your business from damaging disputes and preserve the value of your business investment with a professionally drafted shareholders’ agreement. Our corporate team can put in place a professionally drafted shareholders’ agreement for you as soon as you start your business.
Sponsor licenses
Whether you’re thinking of hiring specialist overseas staff or your business already operates across multiple jurisdictions, we can help you navigate the process.
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.
Pricing and service plans
Legal support designed
to fit your business needs
Our three transparent service plans are designed to give you the widest possible access to high-quality legal advice, whatever the size and nature of your business:
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.
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.
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.
Testimonials
What our clients say
We pride ourselves on delivering an excellent service for clients, but don’t just take our word for it.
Stephen was very helpful, pragmatic and where appropriate, entertaining. We were grateful for the way Stephen advised us in layman’s terms, showing patience to ensure we understood the transaction and were able to move to completion. I value the relationship we have developed with Harper James over the last few years and would recommend them to others.
Jon Arcos
Founder & CEO,
Axis Spine Technologies
Harper James solicitors don’t speak in the legalese which I have heard too many times from other solicitors and which is totally unhelpful. What I’m after is focused, considered advice about the specific situations that I face. By which I mean, do you think this is a good idea? Their response might be ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. One word is often all I’m looking for! My solicitor gives a view and I really value that.
Tom Davenport
MD & Co-Founder,
Alvius
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
We often need legal advice quickly, especially during sales with new customers, and Rob is very responsive and always available for meetings. When I was looking for a law firm, I wanted that full range of services, as I knew we’d need advice outside of the tech remit. The flexibility has been really positive.
Ivan Harding
CEO and Co-Founder,
Applaud
This is a key stage of ANB Sensors’ growth as an SME, because it saw us transferring from a research and development company to a commercial entity. It’s a major milestone for us. Having Harper James by our side is reassuring, as they’ve helped us ensure all our documentation and sales terms are both fair and reasonable and led us through the sales process.
Dr Nathan Lawrence
CEO and Co-Founder,
ANB Sensors
Stephen was very helpful, pragmatic and where appropriate, entertaining. We were grateful for the way Stephen advised us in layman’s terms, showing patience to ensure we understood the transaction and were able to move to completion. I value the relationship we have developed with Harper James over the last few years and would recommend them to others.
Jon Arcos
Founder & CEO,
Axis Spine Technologies
Harper James solicitors don’t speak in the legalese which I have heard too many times from other solicitors and which is totally unhelpful. What I’m after is focused, considered advice about the specific situations that I face. By which I mean, do you think this is a good idea? Their response might be ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. One word is often all I’m looking for! My solicitor gives a view and I really value that.
Tom Davenport
MD & Co-Founder,
Alvius
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
We often need legal advice quickly, especially during sales with new customers, and Rob is very responsive and always available for meetings. When I was looking for a law firm, I wanted that full range of services, as I knew we’d need advice outside of the tech remit. The flexibility has been really positive.
Ivan Harding
CEO and Co-Founder,
Applaud
This is a key stage of ANB Sensors’ growth as an SME, because it saw us transferring from a research and development company to a commercial entity. It’s a major milestone for us. Having Harper James by our side is reassuring, as they’ve helped us ensure all our documentation and sales terms are both fair and reasonable and led us through the sales process.
Dr Nathan Lawrence
CEO and Co-Founder,
ANB Sensors
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.
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.
Adam is Chief Legal Officer & Head of Corporate, responsible for the legal services aspects of Harper James.
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.
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.
Fozia has over 20 years’ experience across the breadth of immigration law. She qualified in 2010 and has worked predominantly in Business Immigration since 2015.
