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Business Legal Services
B Corp Conversion Lawyers
We’re here to fully support you throughout your B Corp journey
If you’re planning to enhance the profile of your business by becoming a B Corporation (B Corp), then you’ve come to the right place. Our team of experienced solicitors have extensive experience in helping businesses like you achieve their goals.
B Corps are independently certified, profit-making businesses that have demonstrated they meet certain standards, such as social and environmental performance, accountability to stakeholders and transparency.
There are multiple advantages of becoming a B Corp, for example, helping you attract talent, external investment, and boosting your company’s reputation. It may also simply be a step which aligns with the goals of your business from an ethical perspective.
The process of becoming a B Corp is relatively simple, but there are certain legal formalities that have to be completed. Our corporate solicitors are experienced in guiding businesses through the application procedure, as well as drafting and filing the necessary changes to your Articles of Association and other legal documentation required to become certified.
B Corp benefits
Why should I consider becoming B Corp certified?
As the jobs marketplace becomes more competitive, recruiting top talent can be a challenge. The market for external investment is dynamic too, with a vast number of businesses chasing investors via funding rounds and pitches to potential funders.
One way to stand out from the crowd in the jobs and investment marketplace is to become a B Corp. Obtaining B Corp status is a way to demonstrate your commitment to the community, and can bring diverse benefits such as:
- Improved brand recognition by consumers, and as a result, increased sales
- Improved employee relations and ability to attract top talent
- Improved attractiveness to external investors who are increasingly focussed on corporate social responsibility or ESG (environment and social governance) factors when deciding whether to invest
What are the legal steps to B Corp certification?
As part of the process to become certified, your company will likely need to change its constitutional documents to incorporate certain B Corp language emphasising a commitment to having a material positive effect on society and the environment. The purpose of this is to entrench certain priorities and principles in your company’s governing constitution.
As a first step, you should check your Articles and related documents such as shareholders agreements to ensure there aren’t any restrictions on making amendments to them. Amending your Articles will also need a special resolution of shareholders, and you’ll have to file the amended Articles at Companies House.
Your company will also need to sign a B Corp agreement that commits it to meeting the legal requirements of the B Corp registration process.
If you’d like to know more about the legal steps that may be needed to become a B Corp, you can read our in-depth guide that provides more detail, and walks you through the steps required.
We help ambitious businesses become B Corp certified
Harper James’ expert team of business solicitors have an in-depth knowledge of the current business and investment landscape. Many of our lawyers have hands-on experience working directly for funders and venture capitalists, and we know what these investors are looking for when they choose businesses in which to invest. We can guide you through the certification process and help you prepare the documents that are necessary for B Corp accreditation.
Testimonials
What our clients say
Harper James provides my small growing business with a scalable, reliable, team-oriented approach to legal advice. Whenever we face a problem, I know that Harper James are there to provide helpful and cost-effective advice, to scope out the options, make clear the costs and risks, and give me the information I need to make decisions.
Bryn Richards
CEO,
Aeristech
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
Our longstanding relationship has enabled us to get deals over the line quickly and efficiently, with minimum fuss or kickback from opposing lawyers representing the companies we’re investing in. I find the legal team at Harper James efficient, smart and personable. Speed is of the essence for early stage investing and Harper James recognises this and acts accordingly.
Kieran Hill
COO,
Ascension Ventures
The team at Harper James have demonstrated time and again that they have a deep understanding of the issues facing entrepreneurial businesses and their funding.
Charles Smith
Director,
Interpac Limited
They adopted a proactive approach to overcoming issues, and their knowledge of the sector and investors and preparedness to identify novel solutions has proved extremely beneficial.
Charles Smith
Director,
Interpac Limited
Harper James swiftly solves problems with a minimum of fuss. I strongly recommend them and they are a pleasure to work with.
Jean de Fougerolles
CEO,
Ascension Ventures
Harper James provides my small growing business with a scalable, reliable, team-oriented approach to legal advice. Whenever we face a problem, I know that Harper James are there to provide helpful and cost-effective advice, to scope out the options, make clear the costs and risks, and give me the information I need to make decisions.
Bryn Richards
CEO,
Aeristech
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
Our longstanding relationship has enabled us to get deals over the line quickly and efficiently, with minimum fuss or kickback from opposing lawyers representing the companies we’re investing in. I find the legal team at Harper James efficient, smart and personable. Speed is of the essence for early stage investing and Harper James recognises this and acts accordingly.
Kieran Hill
COO,
Ascension Ventures
The team at Harper James have demonstrated time and again that they have a deep understanding of the issues facing entrepreneurial businesses and their funding.
Charles Smith
Director,
Interpac Limited
They adopted a proactive approach to overcoming issues, and their knowledge of the sector and investors and preparedness to identify novel solutions has proved extremely beneficial.
Charles Smith
Director,
Interpac Limited
Harper James swiftly solves problems with a minimum of fuss. I strongly recommend them and they are a pleasure to work with.
Jean de Fougerolles
CEO,
Ascension Ventures
Why choose Harper James Solicitors?
Wherever you are on your growth journey, there’s a member of our specialist team of solicitors that can help you reach your next milestone. We offer expert advice, hands-on support, and access to our network of contacts in the industry. Our team of corporate solicitors has extensive experience of helping businesses become B Corp certified, so we can guide you every step of the way.
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.
Experts in B Corp conversions and corporate law
Our team can assist you across all areas of corporate law, including: