Business life cycle
The big idea
Just had your big idea? Let’s set things in motion with the right foundations
Whether it’s your first time or your fifth time setting up a business, you’re probably thinking about how to protect your idea as you start to consider the structure and options to fund your venture. Perhaps you’re wondering who can help and how to approach them.
Understanding your situation
When you’ve got the big idea...
Understanding what’s fit for purpose now so you can start to get your idea rolling while keeping one eye on what will support you in the future is your latest balancing trick.
Your most pressing issue might be identifying the right people to support you; negotiating employment terms or share incentive agreements, or shareholder agreements. Our lawyers, many with a business background themselves, will guide you through the process and get you trading as quickly as possible.
If you have already started trading, see our next stage, ‘Getting started’ for advice on what you may need to consider and when.
Here are some of the challenges you may encounter:
Business structure advice
Choosing the right structure for your business brings many benefits, from protecting your intellectual property and attracting future venture capital to accessing tax breaks that will improve your cash flow. We’ll help you get it right from the start.
Commercial agreements
Our commercial law team specialise in advising on and drafting a wide variety of agreements that businesses like yours enter into on a daily basis. We can assist on a broad range of contracts and transactions such as agency agreements, joint venture agreements, commercial contracts and franchising.
Confidentiality & Non-Disclosure Agreements
Feel secure in entering into business discussions and negotiations knowing that your confidential information is protected. We can ensure that you have a watertight, legally enforceable non-disclosure agreement in place and get the peace of mind you need at this early stage.
Data protection and GDPR
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.
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.
Intellectual property and brand protection
You idea is your baby. Why let someone else steal it? We’ll help you identify the best way to protect, exploit and manage your intellectual property portfolio and shape the most profitable strategy for your business.
Recruiting key hires
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.
Privacy policies
Your privacy policy will explain to the user what information you are collecting about the user, how you will use and process that information, and how you will keep it secure. This transparency ensures that the user is aware of the data being collected. We’ll make sure you have one in place.
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.
Harper James have been incredibly professional and responsive. They immediately understood the challenges we have. Not only those of any small business, but those relating to building a piece of complex tech, and they have been able to help us navigate that from a legal perspective.
Alastair MacGregor
Founder,
Do IT
When we were in the process of raising funds for our business venture, we were fortunate enough to have the support of Harper James. Their advice and guidance were extremely beneficial to us, and we’ve been impressed by their responsive service.
TJ Herbert
CEO and Founder,
Itchy Fish
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
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
As a University spin-out getting the right team of lawyers to support our emerging business was fundamental and the team are always available to provide us with the invaluable guidance and support we require.
David Hodgson
CEO,
Amalyst
Harper James have been incredibly professional and responsive. They immediately understood the challenges we have. Not only those of any small business, but those relating to building a piece of complex tech, and they have been able to help us navigate that from a legal perspective.
Alastair MacGregor
Founder,
Do IT
When we were in the process of raising funds for our business venture, we were fortunate enough to have the support of Harper James. Their advice and guidance were extremely beneficial to us, and we’ve been impressed by their responsive service.
TJ Herbert
CEO and Founder,
Itchy Fish
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
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
As a University spin-out getting the right team of lawyers to support our emerging business was fundamental and the team are always available to provide us with the invaluable guidance and support we require.
David Hodgson
CEO,
Amalyst
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.
