If you’re looking to start a business in the UK, have issues with contracts, or are concerned about employment law or legal structures, then it’s a good idea to seek expert advice. There are many UK commercial law firms, and while it’s fair to say that they are all qualified, there are differences between how they operate and the areas that they specialise in that you should be aware of when you star work.
Good UK commercial law firms will clearly indicate what it is that they specialise in, so that you don’t have to worry about finding the right company for your needs – for example, some may have better knowledge of CIOs and Community Interest Companies while others may be more focused on traditional limited companies. Some may be able to offer advice on community share issues, others may prefer to focus on purely commercial businesses.
Contract law, company formations, employment law, and other aspects of running a business are all quite complex, and there are some commercial law firms that will simply “do what you tell them to” and write a generic contract for you or give you fundamental advice based on the letter of the law. There are others that will be more willing to explore your options and explain them in depth, so that you can find something that is a perfect fit for you in every regard.
UK commercial law firms exist to help businesses protect themselves. Most of them will focus on a specific geographic area and build up long term relationships with a small number of clients. This means that they are in a good position to offer you individual advice and to explain the law to you, and draw up agreements quickly in the long term. Once they have the “standard terms” for your contracts they can be modified on a contract by contract basis.
Be sure to discuss payment terms with the law firm you are interested in working with – are they operating on a retainer basis, or do they charge per job (rare in commercial law) or per hour? Make sure you know how much time each job will take so that you don’t get stuck with a large bill that you cannot afford to pay, especially if you are a small business owner that is not used to dealing with law firms. Although commercial law requires specific expertise, it is useful to read articles detailing the process of selecting the best lawyer in your price range. Read more here.
