In such a competitive economic environment, never has it been more important for SMEs to secure maximum benefit and best value for money on all their supplier contracts. Robust contracts that add value to your business do not happen by chance – they are the result of planning, due diligence and skilled negotiation. It is…
Starting a company? If so, one of the first steps required under the Companies Act 2006 will be to agree your articles of association, but do you also need a shareholder agreement? If your company has two or more shareholders, it may be prudent to consider having a shareholder agreement drawn up at the same…
If you are selling your business, the buyer will want to know all about any commercial property the business owns or occupies. The issues will be similar to those that would come up if you were simply selling the property, but there are some key differences of approach when it is part of a business…
Launching a new consumer product is exciting, with a great deal of attention going on the branding, packaging, and every touch point of the consumer experience. But behind the scenes, it is important to pay just as much attention to the legal issues if you are to maximise value from this new product in the…
If you rely on the supply of packaging from a third party, you may be at risk in a number of ways. Does the quality meet your brand standards? Do the materials fulfil the environmental specification? How much wastage is acceptable? Will you suffer a financial loss from delays, for example if goods are perishable,…
The way goods and materials are bought and sold in the UK has changed beyond recognition over the last 25 years, with the supply chain and end customers expecting speedy delivery. This has created new demand for logistics and distribution sites, ranging from vast state-of-the art warehouses alongside ‘last mile’ dispatches from a network of…
If your business is owed money, the impact on cash flow can be considerable. Since interest rates have improved you could also be losing potential returns on investment, so it is important to keep a tight control on business debts. When chasing late payments, you can ask for interest on the money owed. The most…
All businesses rely on energy supplies to allow them to trade to some extent. Even if your business does not use large amounts of energy for manufacturing or other related work, it will require reliable lighting, heating, and internet supplies to conduct business without disruption. In April 2024, an issue with the electrical installations at…
If you are involved in a business dispute, then it is sensible to try to resolve the matter as quickly and cost-efficiently as possible to avoid or reduce the chances of having to go to court. Taking advice at an early stage from a solicitor who is experienced in dispute resolution is vital, and one…
With the rise of the digital era and advances in technology, we have seen and will continue to see growth in the use of electronic contracts to conclude legal agreements between parties. While there are advantages in terms of speed and remote access, there are also security risks. So, do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?…