Intelligent and focused business expansion is the key to success in challenging marketing conditions. Agents are one means of getting your product into new markets without the overhead of a new office or retail presence. Develop an agency strategy for your business, lead by our expert commercial solicitors.
In addition to drafting, negotiating and reviewing agency agreements, our team can assist you across all areas of commercial law, including:
Our team of commercial contract solicitors can support you as an agent or supplier with:
Advice on agency agreements and the right route for your business, whether that’s an exclusive agreement, a sole agency agreement or a non-exclusive agreement.
Defining the parameters of your agency agreements ensuring they detail the rights and obligations of both parties.
Advice on Commercial Agents Regulations 1993 and UK and EU competition law so you are aware of how the regulations and law apply to your business model and your agreements.
Reviewing and redrafting existing agency agreements to ensure that they remain fit for purpose and consistent with your strategy.
Drafting your agency agreements to ensure your business is legally protected.
Advice on exiting the agreement.
Dispute resolution services if there is a dispute over the terms of the agreement.
Agency agreements are regulated by the Commercial Agents Regulations 1993 and competition law, so they need to be tightly drafted to avoid legal pitfalls. Working with you to understand your business goals, we’ll help you answer the following questions when drafting your agreement to ensure you get the best possible commercial benefits:
With the right legal support and agency agreement in place, your third-party agents can help get your product into new markets to increase your economies of scale and market reach.
Generate additional revenue with an agency agreement to move into new territories. With a carefully drafted agreement in place your business could quickly and economically develop.
Access new markets without the cost of hiring new staff and without hours of your time spent searching for the right team. With an agent in place there’s no need to significantly increase your overheads but you retain control of your business and its expansion.
We support a wide range of ambitious entrepreneurial clients and growing businesses keen to expand their offering and explore cost-effective solutions to do so. We aim to make legal support more accessible for start-ups and scale-ups, ensuring that you’re able to work with experienced solicitors to move your business forward. This is all made possible by our legal subscription plans, with which you can access legal support from as little as £159 per hour and continue to regularly work with the Harper James team across a range of business legal services.
Finding the right legal partner
Choose a legal partner you can trust: we’ll help protect your goals, your business and your people so you can move forward with confidence and focus on growing your business.
Clear itemised invoices, subscription plans with up to 50% discount, and fixed fee products help you plan and manage legal spend – with no nasty surprises.
We’ve supported over 8,000 businesses since 2014, with an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot and a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 60+ from monthly client surveys.
We’re here to make things easier, not add complexity. That means fast response times, practical expert legal advice delivered in plain English, and dedicated client service and account management support.
We’re an SRA regulated firm, but more importantly, we build quality, data, and compliance best practice into everything we do.
Appointing a legal partner is a big decision. That’s why we’re open about our values, culture and model, so you can see what makes us tick. And because a productive partnership starts with understanding, we always begin with a conversation – listening to your goals, pressures and plans, then tailoring our support to fit.
Knowing that we have Harper James to help us through complex situations and difficult negotiations is very reassuring. Sarah knows our business inside out and we can rely on her to provide clear and timely commercial advice. And on the odd occasion that we’ve needed help through a dispute, Ian Carson has always stepped in and dealt with the situation before it gets out of hand.
Nick Thompson CEO, One Beyond
For us, the support of Harper James Solicitors has been a gift. The collaboration we have had has been of tremendous importance. The service has been superb value for money.
Iraklis Bourantas COO, Novoville
Our solicitor is a pleasure to work with - very commercial and usually quick to turn around. I am looking forward to working more with her and to her becoming an "external" extension of my commercial legal team!
Natalie Salunke Vice President & Head of Legal, AllStar Business Solutions
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
It's very cost efficient and fast. I have enjoyed talking to everyone in the company as they are not only knowledgeable but can also relate to the situations that I need assistance with. Very happy!
Kerem Sozugecer Founder & CEO, LeftBrain Technology
Harper James never fail to impress with the speed and efficiency of their service, no matter the query. The team are friendly, knowledgeable and always on hand.
Karis Walker Project Managing Officer, Thyssenkrupp
I'll sum it up in three words: Expertise, versatility and experience
Sarah Enuwhure Account Manager, Curva Digital Ltd
Julia Ellis reacted very quickly to our urgent request despite having a busy schedule already. Within 1-2 weeks we had a bespoke agreement to send to our client which has helped us to secure a great deal for the business. We’re happy with the subscription plan we have access to at Harper James and look forward to continuing to work with you.
Charlie Whyman Managing Director, Coopatex
We can assist with the expansion and increased profitability of your business through carefully drawn up agreements. Our commercial solicitors have a wealth of experience and business acumen in successful commercial strategy and in identifying your potential business expansion routes, whether that’s through an agency agreement, a sale and distribution agreement, or otherwise. Working with your business we’ll ensure it is legally protected with the right agreements are in place.
Our solicitors have worked at partner level in top 100 firms or in house at major international businesses, and have considerable experience supporting businesses across each stage in their growth. Find out more about the commercial team here:
Director of Legal Strategy and Operations & Head of Commercial
With over 24 years’ experience advising on commercial matters, Stephen brings a wealth of technology expertise having previously worked in-house as senior counsel to BT before joining private practice.
Quality and Compliance Director & Commercial Partner
As a previous partner at DLA Piper, Sarah comes with a rich pedigree in providing expert commercial services for her clients.
Partner - Commercial
Before joining Harper James, Rob worked for Santander bank as an IP/brand management lawyer and also at Shakespeare Martineau.
Partner - Commercial
With over 25 years of experience, James advises on a wide range of commercial matters, drawing on his deep experience with commercial and technology contracts. James also leads our Data Protection and Privacy Team.
Senior Solicitor - Commercial
With over 18 years' experience from working in-house and in private practice, Julia advises on an extensive range of commercial agreements, as well as related IP and data protection issues.
Partner - Commercial
Kevin has over 20 years’ experience of commercial matters having spent the majority of his career at top 50 law firm Blake Morgan. He has particular expertise in the supply of goods or services along with general IT and technology agreements.
Senior Solicitor - Commercial
Ed specialises in IT, IP and general technology-related contracts, but he also advises more broadly on commercial matters.
Senior Solicitor - Commercial
Mairead is a Senior Commercial Solicitor with over 12 years’ post qualification experience in general commercial law gained both in private practice and working as an in-house counsel.
Senior Solicitor - Commercial
With over 15 years' experience, Emily advises clients on a wide range of commercial contracts. She has specialist experience in franchising and has worked with notable franchises.
Senior Solicitor - Commercial
Emilia is a versatile commercial solicitor, advising on a variety of agreements and matters. With both private practice and in-house experience, she is able to adapt to the nature/size/industry of the business she is supporting.
Senior Solicitor - Commercial
Rebecca is an experienced Commercial and Technology lawyer who provides tailored, pragmatic advice to help clients across diverse sectors navigate complex legal challenges and achieve their goals.
Solicitor - Commercial
Luke has spent the majority of his career-to-date supporting brand partnerships, licensing, marketing and digital activities, with spells working in start-up and scale-up environments in the technology, media production and subscription platform sectors.
Senior Solicitior - Commercial
Hannah is a highly experienced commercial, IP and technology lawyer. She trained at Magic Circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, where she spent 12 years advising on a broad range of commercial, intellectual property, technology and corporate matters.
Senior Solicitor - Commercial
Sarah is a commercial lawyer with extensive experience advising businesses on a broad range of legal and strategic matters.
Senior Solicitor - Commercial
Pete is a commercial solicitor with a strong background in IP and corporate law. Pete works with businesses of different sizes and stages of growth, providing practical advice that is focused on their commercial objectives.
"Harper James is a one-stop shop for anything legal. It has excellent breadth, with experience on a large number of deals and multiple departments for different legal areas."
Chambers and Partners
Pricing and service plans
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:
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.
Purpose built legal support for start-ups and smaller businesses
Monthly subscription plan for £259 per month, with £174 monthly credit and access to all legal services at 50% discount on our Standard Rates.
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 33% discount on our Standard Rates.
Learn more about our service plans
Ask the expert
30 September 2024
Spotlight on our people
18 April 2023
Spotlight on our people
14 November 2022
Ask the expert
5 September 2022
Ask the expert
30 September 2024
Spotlight on our people
18 April 2023
Spotlight on our people
14 November 2022