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Business Legal Services
Initial Public Offering (IPO)
Service overview: Initial public offering (IPO) and public company admission solicitors
- Listing your company’s shares on a stock exchange or ‘going public’ greatly improves its access to capital and enhances its profile, whether you are aiming for a Main Market flotation on the London Stock Exchange or on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM).
- Our expert corporate lawyers can help ensure a smooth entry onto the Official List, with considerable knowledge and experience of all legal and regulatory requirements including the Listing and Prospectus Rules.
- Our team of IPO solicitors will guide you through the Public Offering process, from pre-admission restructurings, due diligence and corporate governance issues, to liaising with Sponsors, Underwriters, Reporting Accountants and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as the UK Listing Authority.
- Our highly-experienced share scheme lawyers work as part of the IPO team to structure employee incentive schemes and director remuneration as part of an IPO, including employee share plans, and our banking and finance solicitors assist with investment banking and financial aspects of the IPO.
- Our Public Offering solicitors also advise smaller, high growth companies who are planning a listing on the AIM, and provide tailored advice on the AIM admission rules.
Experts in corporate law
Our team can assist you across all areas of corporate law, including:
What we do: Initial public offering (IPO) and public company admission solicitors
Taking the decision to go public is a major step that requires careful planning and expert advice to ensure a successful flotation. Our expert IPO lawyers will work alongside you every step of the way, from helping you restructure your business pre-IPO, setting up a comprehensive data room, drafting your prospectus and admission documents, and working closely with you throughout the listing process itself.
As corporate law specialists, with particular expertise in IPOs, our solicitors have the legal skills and experience to help you choose the right route for your company when seeking investment from the public and listing on a recognised exchange, whether that be the Main Market or Alternative Investment Market.
Our Initial Public Offering and Public Company Admission Solicitors can help companies with:
Advising on the listing process including the Listing Rules, and assisting with preparatory work to ensure that the company can meet the listing conditions, carrying out necessary due diligence, initial drafting of a prospectus/AIM admission document, and drafting and reviewing other required documents relating to underwriting and financial reports.
Finalisation of the prospectus or AIM admission document, liaising with brokers, underwriters and reporting accountants, and preparing the IPO announcement.
Together with our banking and finance lawyers, advising financial institutions and investors on the contents of prospectuses and AIM admission documents, assisting with their due diligence process, and providing guidance on the legal aspects of their professional obligations and investment decisions.
Group or individual company restructuring, if this is required for a satisfactory listing.
Assisting and advising during the roadshow process including responding to enquiries from potential investors.
Preparation and advice on the corporate documents required to formalise the listing and submission of the application to trading.
Ongoing compliance with regulations relating to listing status, including the Listing Rules, Model Code and Corporate Governance requirements.
Additional advice: Employee share schemes and directors’ remuneration
Where your company is intending to offer employees options or shares in the company as part of an IPO, our team can advise on EMI and many different types of unapproved share schemes such as flowering shares, growth share, hurdle shares and phantom shares, and draft all the necessary documents. We also have considerable expertise advising executives on directors’ remuneration, a critical consideration in any IPO process.
Who we help: Executive leadership, financial institutions and investors considering or participating in an IPO
As an expert Initial Public Offering and Public Company Admission law firm, our solicitors advise boards and company directors, financial institutions and investment banks, private equity firms and investors in all aspects of company flotations. Whether you are a start-up moving towards an IPO, an advisor engaged in an IPO, or are a potential investor, our experts offer both expert advice and hands-on support.
Testimonials
What our clients say
What attracted me to Harper James was the pricing model they have in place. It means we get access to top legal professionals at prices we can afford. In our most recent funding round, the support we received was vital.
Mikhil Raja
CEO,
SonicJobs
As with any business, we need access to good quality legal advice without the fear of facing huge legal fees. The service provided by Harper James is ideal because they are always available to assist and we know that the advice provided is of outstanding quality, with pricing that is cost effective and completely transparent.
Laura Bowen
Director,
Admedo
Choosing Harper James was one of the best choices we made as a start-up. The firm has provided invaluable advice and insight throughout the early stages of our business.
Leigh Purnell
CEO,
Petalite
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
What attracted me to Harper James was the pricing model they have in place. It means we get access to top legal professionals at prices we can afford. In our most recent funding round, the support we received was vital.
Mikhil Raja
CEO,
SonicJobs
As with any business, we need access to good quality legal advice without the fear of facing huge legal fees. The service provided by Harper James is ideal because they are always available to assist and we know that the advice provided is of outstanding quality, with pricing that is cost effective and completely transparent.
Laura Bowen
Director,
Admedo
Choosing Harper James was one of the best choices we made as a start-up. The firm has provided invaluable advice and insight throughout the early stages of our business.
Leigh Purnell
CEO,
Petalite
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
Why choose our initial public offering (IPO) and public company admission solicitors?
We’re a modern law firm with a difference. Our innovative remote operating model means that you can access expert City-grade legal advice from partner-level solicitors at a fraction of the cost of traditional law firms. Our senior solicitors have all been recruited from top 100 UK law firms or large international businesses. Find out more about our IPO lawyers 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 £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.