Business Legal Services
Start-up lawyers for businesses built to scale
Legal support for ambitious start-ups navigating funding, ownership, contracts, intellectual property and rapid growth
We help you put the right foundations in place, protect your commercial position and build long-term value.
As a modern law firm, we’re purpose built to meet your needs. We move at your pace, speak your language, and we’re here when you need us.
Finding the right legal partner
Why work with Harper James
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.
Affordable, transparent and predictable pricing
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.
Proven track record and measurable results
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.
Straight-talking, responsive advice
That means fast response times, practical expert legal advice delivered in plain English, and dedicated client service and account management support.
Risk and compliance assured
We’re an SRA regulated firm, but more importantly, we build quality, data, and compliance best practice into everything we do.
What can we help with?
Legal services for start-ups and high-growth businesses
The right legal support helps you move quickly without leaving problems for investors, customers or your future leadership team to uncover later. Here are some of the common ways we can help:
When you need to prepare for investment, so your ownership, governance and key documents are ready for scrutiny while you protect an appropriate level of founder control.
When you need to formalise arrangements between founders or shareholders, so responsibilities, decision-making, equity and potential exits are clearly documented.
When you need to protect your intellectual property, so the company has clear rights to its software, technology, brand, content or other valuable assets.
When you need to sign an important customer, supplier or commercial partnership, so the terms support revenue and growth without exposing the business to unmanageable obligations.
When you need to hire quickly and retain key people, so employment documents, workplace policies and share incentives support the team you are building.
When you need to enter a regulated or international market, so data protection, sector requirements and cross-border arrangements are considered alongside the commercial opportunity.
Your situation may involve several of these issues, or something less straightforward. Tell us what you are building and what you need to achieve, and we will help you identify the right legal support.
- Step 1: Tell us what you are working towards
Share an outline of your business, the immediate situation and any relevant documents, stakeholders or commercial deadlines. - Step 2: Understand the priorities
After reviewing the information, we will explain the work involved, the main issues to consider and which legal specialists may be needed. - Step 3: Move forward with clarity
Once the scope is agreed, we will manage the legal work, keep communication focused and flag decisions or risks as they arise.
Legal services for start-ups
Helping you achieve your next milestone
A start-up’s legal needs rarely fit within one category. Explore the services commonly needed when raising investment, protecting valuable assets, building a team and putting scalable commercial arrangements in place.
Meet our team
Why choose our start-up solicitors?
Our start-up solicitors bring together specialists in corporate law, commercial contracts, funding, employment, intellectual property, data protection and dispute resolution. Many have worked in leading law firms or within businesses, so they understand investor pressure, limited internal bandwidth and the need to balance legal risk with commercial momentum.
That experience means we can solve problems quickly, coordinate complex matters effectively, and move at your pace as your business and it’s legal needs evolve.
Understanding business law
Common questions from start-ups
Start-up legal issues are often connected. These answers provide a general introduction to some of the areas founders commonly need to consider.
What legal documents should a start-up have in place?
The documents you need will depend on your ownership, team, product and route to market. Common areas include founder or shareholder arrangements, employment and contractor terms, customer contracts, privacy documents and intellectual property ownership. A solicitor can help you prioritise these according to the risks facing your business.
How can founders protect their ownership and decision-making rights?
A company’s articles, shareholders’ agreement and investment documents can all affect voting, board control, share transfers and important business decisions. These arrangements should work together and reflect what the founders and investors have agreed. Particular care may be needed when issuing new shares or introducing investor consent rights.
Who owns intellectual property created for a start-up?
Ownership can depend on who created the work, their relationship with the company and the terms of any relevant agreement. Work produced by a contractor or founder does not necessarily transfer to the company automatically. Clear written assignments can help avoid uncertainty during investment, licensing or a future sale.
What legal issues are usually reviewed during a funding round?
Investors may examine the company’s ownership, governance, intellectual property, material contracts, employment arrangements, disputes and regulatory position. The investment documents will also determine matters such as new share rights, board involvement and investor protections. Reviewing these areas early can help identify issues before the transaction progresses.
When might a start-up need regulatory legal advice?
Regulatory requirements may apply because of your sector, customers, product, use of data or the markets in which you operate. Fintech, healthcare, consumer-facing and data-heavy businesses are common examples. Because the rules and available routes vary, specialist advice may be needed before launching a regulated activity or entering a new market.
Testimonials
What our clients say
Hear from founders and growth leaders who value clear advice, commercial judgement and responsive legal support when important decisions need to keep moving.
Harper James solicitors don’t speak in the legalese which I have heard too many times from other solicitors and which is totally unhelpful. What I’m after is focused, considered advice about the specific situations that I face. By which I mean, do you think this is a good idea? Their response might be ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. One word is often all I’m looking for! My solicitor gives a view and I really value that.
Tom Davenport
MD & Co-Founder,
Alvius
The Enable Plan has been really useful for us. We’re always watching our burn because that early money is important to us as a start-up. We get high quality legal event advice that doesn’t compromise on quality. Also, having access to a distributed team who have previously worked at some very credible firms is great. Having access to that level of experience and expertise, but not having to pay traditional firm prices is excellent.
Andre Turville
Founder & CEO,
ARX Alliance
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
It's been a breath of fresh air to work with Harper James Solicitors. It's like having my own in-house counsel, but at a fraction of the cost. It's an invaluable service for any small business.
Jo Evershed
CEO,
Cauldron Science
It’s the best experience I have ever had of obtaining legal advice and assistance. Straight forward and value for money. I don't worry about making the odd call to get some quick advice. Historically I have felt ripped off by the legal profession - so much so that I only used them if I absolutely had to. This has been a really good experience.
Gary Luke
MD,
Connexica
We are a small company and the process of setting up a company share scheme was pretty daunting. Abby Watson and Harper James Solicitors provided expert advice to ensure we understood the process and drafted all relevant documentation. We were very impressed with the service received and would recommend the firm to others.
Julie Robinson
CEO,
Move It or Lose It
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
This is a key stage of ANB Sensors’ growth as an SME, because it saw us transferring from a research and development company to a commercial entity. It’s a major milestone for us. Having Harper James by our side is reassuring, as they’ve helped us ensure all our documentation and sales terms are both fair and reasonable and led us through the sales process.
Dr Nathan Lawrence
CEO and Co-Founder,
ANB Sensors
I spoke to an expert who brought a new perspective on an old problem and added value. For the price and for a general solicitor's grade advice, it is excellent.
Tom Robins
CEO,
Switchee
Harper James solicitors don’t speak in the legalese which I have heard too many times from other solicitors and which is totally unhelpful. What I’m after is focused, considered advice about the specific situations that I face. By which I mean, do you think this is a good idea? Their response might be ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. One word is often all I’m looking for! My solicitor gives a view and I really value that.
Tom Davenport
MD & Co-Founder,
Alvius
The Enable Plan has been really useful for us. We’re always watching our burn because that early money is important to us as a start-up. We get high quality legal event advice that doesn’t compromise on quality. Also, having access to a distributed team who have previously worked at some very credible firms is great. Having access to that level of experience and expertise, but not having to pay traditional firm prices is excellent.
Andre Turville
Founder & CEO,
ARX Alliance
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
It's been a breath of fresh air to work with Harper James Solicitors. It's like having my own in-house counsel, but at a fraction of the cost. It's an invaluable service for any small business.
Jo Evershed
CEO,
Cauldron Science
It’s the best experience I have ever had of obtaining legal advice and assistance. Straight forward and value for money. I don't worry about making the odd call to get some quick advice. Historically I have felt ripped off by the legal profession - so much so that I only used them if I absolutely had to. This has been a really good experience.
Gary Luke
MD,
Connexica
We are a small company and the process of setting up a company share scheme was pretty daunting. Abby Watson and Harper James Solicitors provided expert advice to ensure we understood the process and drafted all relevant documentation. We were very impressed with the service received and would recommend the firm to others.
Julie Robinson
CEO,
Move It or Lose It
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
This is a key stage of ANB Sensors’ growth as an SME, because it saw us transferring from a research and development company to a commercial entity. It’s a major milestone for us. Having Harper James by our side is reassuring, as they’ve helped us ensure all our documentation and sales terms are both fair and reasonable and led us through the sales process.
Dr Nathan Lawrence
CEO and Co-Founder,
ANB Sensors
I spoke to an expert who brought a new perspective on an old problem and added value. For the price and for a general solicitor's grade advice, it is excellent.
Tom Robins
CEO,
Switchee
