Thinking of starting your own business? Whether it is to fulfil a long-held dream, to become more independent or to get a fuller financial reward for your efforts, a number of dangers do exist. Taking good professional advice when you start out can minimize those risks. Our experienced business law solicitors can help any business start up throughout Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset with a variety of issues including:
Whether to form a company
Before you start trading you need to decide whether to be a one-man band, to create a partnership with other people or whether you want to form a limited company, which gives you certain protection. Our solicitors can help you with both company formation and drafting partnership agreements
Terms and conditions of business
Too many people give little thought to the terms and conditions under which they sell their products or services. Our solicitors strongly advise that you make sure that your business has the right terms and conditions from day one – and ensure your customers are aware of them – or, for example, you risk being paid only when your customer feels like it.
Business leases
If you are renting or buying business premises, you need to make sure you know exactly what you are taking on. Read more about our Commercial Property Solicitors.
Business agreements
Our solicitors strongly advise that all business agreements and deals are put in writing. Whilst you can record many simple agreements by e-mail or letter yourself, our solicitors can help safeguard your position if the agreement is more complex or valuable.
Debt Recovery
Even if you have the right terms and conditions in place, your business can quickly get into financial trouble if customers fail to pay on time. We can help you recover your debts without financial risk by writing a solicitor’s 7 day debt recovery letter before action and experience shows that 71% of debtors pay up at this stage. If your debtors still don’t pay up, we offer a prompt, cost-effective debt recovery service to collect your outstanding money, while you get on with running your business.
Employment Law
Even if you’re planning on taking on one or more employee from day one, you probably won't have the luxury of a Human Resources manager. Employment law continues to become more complex and workers more aware of their employment rights. Make sure you use properly drafted employment contracts and set up the right disciplinary and other procedures. Read more about our Employment Law Solicitors
Intellectual Property Rights
From the start up stage, every business has its own intellectual property – in the content and design of its website, trading name and in many cases the products themselves. But many businesses don't realise the value of their intellectual property and fail to protect it. Make sure you make the most of your business assets – contact our intellectual property solicitors today or visit our specialist Intellectual Property Lawyer website.
Contact us about your new business today
Our solicitors also regularly help business start ups in Shaftesbury, Gillingham, Sherborne, Westbury, Frome, Warminster, Blandford Forum, Romsey, Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, Radstock, Fordingbridge and Ringwood.
For business start up advice from expert business solicitors, contact our Salisbury, Andover, Verwood or Amesbury offices today.
