Business Legal Services
Qualify and raise through EIS or SEIS
Fast, clear legal guidance to get your company EIS or SEIS qualified
Raising investment through EIS or SEIS is a great way to attract early-stage funding, but getting it wrong can lead to delays, lost investor interest, or even ineligibility. The rules are complex, making it easy to underestimate the legal and structural work needed to qualify.
That’s where we come in. As a law firm built for start-ups, we guide you through the entire process, checking your eligibility, securing advance assurance from HMRC, and preparing investor-ready documents that align with the scheme’s requirements.
We’ve helped hundreds of founders unlock EIS and SEIS investment, protect their interests, and avoid costly setbacks. With deep experience supporting early-stage businesses, we know how to keep your funding round moving, efficiently, compliantly, and with your long-term growth in mind.
What we do
Getting your business EIS or SEIS ready
Qualifying for EIS or SEIS is more than a tick-box exercise. You need to align your company structure, legal documents and investor strategy — all while keeping your business running.
Many founders come to us unsure of:
- Whether their business qualifies (and how to check)
- What advance assurance from HMRC really involves
- How to adapt their Articles of Association or shareholder agreements to meet scheme rules
- When and how to communicate with potential investors
We help you cut through the complexity. By guiding you through the rules, anticipating pitfalls, and aligning your documents from the start, we make sure you stay compliant and investor-ready — without derailing your funding timeline.
Our team will:
Check your eligibility under EIS or SEIS,
reviewing your company structure and business activity before you go out to raise.
Secure advance assurance from HMRC,
giving investors confidence from the start. We’ll prepare the submission and work with your accountant where needed.
Draft and review key documents,
including investment agreements, term sheets, and subscription agreements to ensure they align with the requirements of the schemes.
Ensure your structure and use of funds meet the rules,
from articles of association to how the investment is spent.
Restructure share capital and shareholders’ agreements
if needed to meet investor expectations and stay scheme-compliant.
Hold pre-investment funds
in our client account where required, adding an extra layer of assurance for investors.
Liaise with HMRC
and handle scheme compliance and reporting post-investment, so you can focus on running your business.
We also advise investors on tax-efficient opportunities, including income tax relief, CGT exemptions, and re-investment reliefs. If your company isn’t eligible for SEIS or EIS, or you’re exploring other funding routes, we can guide you through alternative options, structuring and negotiating VC deals and preparing the legal documents needed to protect your position, whether you’re a founder, high-net-worth individual, or investment firm.
Dedicated legal experts
SEIS and EIS solicitors
EIS and SEIS come with strict requirements – and expectations from investors. While some generalist providers can help with parts of the process, they often miss technical details that matter to HMRC or your investors. Working with lawyers who specialise in EIS/SEIS means fewer delays, clearer advice, and better long-term outcomes.
By working with us, you’ll have:
Reassurance on your eligibility
Getting qualified under EIS or SEIS is a detailed, technical process – any mistakes can put your investment at risk. Working with dedicated EIS/SEIS specialists ensures thorough due diligence and advance assurance, maximising your chances of success from the outset.
Complex admin taken care of
We manage the tricky administrative tasks such as submitting advance assurance applications to HMRC, updating company documents, and liaising with your accountant. This means you can concentrate on growing your business while we handle the detailed legal and regulatory requirements.. Many providers lack this specialist focus, increasing the chance of errors or delays.
Speed and efficiency
Fundraising under EIS/SEIS usually happens at a critical early stage, where timing is vital. Our specialist team’s experience with hundreds of investments means we quickly identify and resolve issues, helping you access capital without unnecessary or costly setbacks.
Ongoing compliance support
Maintaining compliance throughout the investment term is essential to preserve tax reliefs and protect your funding. We proactively monitor your business against EIS/SEIS rules and manage all legal and regulatory obligations, preventing roadblocks to your capital raise. Choosing non-specialist advice risks compliance gaps that can have serious consequences down the line.
Investment expertise beyond EIS and SEIS
Where your company is investigating possible sources of capital in addition to EIS or SEIS, or your company is not eligible, our venture capital solicitors can advise you on other options available to you. We can also help you structure any VC deal that is put in place. Or if you are a high net-worth individual, private equity or VC firm, we can provide legal advice on all aspects of venture capital funding, including preparation of the necessary corporate documents to ensure your interests are protected.
Who we help
Founders, early-stage businesses, and investors
Whether you’re preparing for your first raise or expanding an investor portfolio, we support a wide range of clients using EIS and SEIS to unlock growth:
- Founders and directors – Get expert support on eligibility, advance assurance, and investor-ready documents that won’t slow your round.
- Start-ups and scale-ups – Raise early-stage capital with confidence, knowing your structure and legal foundations are sound.
- Investors and advisers – Work with a legal team who understands the tax relief requirements and how to safeguard your investment strategy.
We help you navigate the detail, avoid compliance pitfalls, and structure your deal to support long-term growth — not just short-term funding.
Testimonials
What our clients say
Our clients have peace of mind knowing that we provide fit for purpose solutions rather than one-size-fits-all answers. Hear from those we’ve supported through the investment process.
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
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
We’ve been working with the team for over a year and since day one they've been pragmatic, diligent and above all, committed throughout. They work hard to add value and have been of great benefit to us and our investors.
Goncalo de Vasconcelos
CEO,
Syndicate Room
...efficient, knowledgeable, experienced, communicative, responsive, reliable, pragmatic, informative, thorough, friendly,honest, helpful and she bills correctly - exactly what one wants from one's solicitor!
Dan Greenfield
Co-Founder,
Petagene
The support, advice and guidance from Harper James was absolutely vital. Shubhu, Callum and the team there were always on hand to deal with any issues that we needed help with as the deal progressed. This is an exciting new stage in the development of the business.
Sam G Bose
CEO and Founder,
IntelliSense.io
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
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
We’ve been working with the team for over a year and since day one they've been pragmatic, diligent and above all, committed throughout. They work hard to add value and have been of great benefit to us and our investors.
Goncalo de Vasconcelos
CEO,
Syndicate Room
...efficient, knowledgeable, experienced, communicative, responsive, reliable, pragmatic, informative, thorough, friendly,honest, helpful and she bills correctly - exactly what one wants from one's solicitor!
Dan Greenfield
Co-Founder,
Petagene
The support, advice and guidance from Harper James was absolutely vital. Shubhu, Callum and the team there were always on hand to deal with any issues that we needed help with as the deal progressed. This is an exciting new stage in the development of the business.
Sam G Bose
CEO and Founder,
IntelliSense.io
Meet our team
Why choose our EIS solicitors?
Our team is dedicated to making legal support accessible and practical for UK start-ups seeking funding through SEIS and EIS. With broad experience across a range of industries and emerging technologies, we understand the unique challenges entrepreneurs face and provide tailored guidance at every stage of growth.
Many of our team members have worked on both sides of the table, including in venture capital firms, so we know what investors look for as well as the pressures founders face. This insight helps us deliver advice that balances both perspectives and gets your deal done smoothly.
We don’t just advise on EIS and SEIS eligibility and compliance, we build lasting relationships to support your business through fundraising, hiring, contracts, and regulatory matters. Our integrated approach means you have expert help throughout your company’s lifecycle, helping you grow with confidence and clarity.
Find out more about our team here:
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 £219 per month, with £149 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 36% discount on our Standard Rates.
