Expansions to eligibility and exercise period for Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) scheme

Rebecca Robinson looks at the changes which aim to further support companies to incentivise and reward employees effectively, align employer and employee interests through growth.

Employee Ownership Trusts Capital Gains Tax relief reduction

Capital Gains Tax relief on sales to Employee Ownership Trusts is changing. Find out what the reduction means for business owners and whether an EOT sale is a tax-efficient succession option.

Should your company become employee owned?

Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) can be the right move for certain companies and can drive, motivate and reward staff.

Do I need a Partnership Agreement when setting up a business?

If, as a Partnership, there has been no Partnership Agreement drawn up, the default provisions may come as a surprise, including to some of the actual Partners!

Encouraging collaboration through franchise agreements

Whether you are looking to start a new business venture by collaborating with an already established brand or are looking to scale-up your own business, franchising can be a viable option.

Selling a business - Non-disclosure Agreements

Tom Haywood, Associate in Wake Smith Solicitors’ Company Commercial team, and current title holder of the Emerging Dealmaker of the Year, looks at a key point to consider before proceeding.

Use of electronic signatures

Rebecca Robinson, director in the company commercial team at Wake Smith Solicitors, sets out guidance for anyone needing to sign a contract who is unable to be there in person.

Standard Terms and Conditions and the key to their incorporation

Whether your business provides goods or services, it is important to have a robust set of terms and conditions, which set out the framework for how trading is conducted and ensures uniformity across all contractual relationships.

Website design: key legal issues

Joe Creasor, solicitor in the Company Commercial team at Wake Smith looks at the issues that can arise when managing a website.

Social Enterprises: What are the differences between CIC and CIO?

Do you know your CICs from your CIOs and which one is right for your social enterprise? Rebecca Robinson, director in the company commercial team at Wake Smith Solicitors, looks at the differences.

Why do you need a shareholders’ agreement?

Rebecca Robinson, director in the company commercial team at Wake Smith Solicitors, looks at the importance of a shareholders’ agreement.

New Year, new business venture? Considering the types of entity for your firm

Joe Creasor, a solicitor in the company commercial team at Wake Smith, looks at the different entities and how vital it is to have all the correct constitutional and commercial documents in place.

Why look at restructuring your business?

There are many reasons why a business owner may look to restructure their business. Tom Haywood, associate in the company commercial team at Wake Smith Solicitors, looks at the process.

Key considerations when purchasing a dental practice

Are you about to set up your first dental practice or are you an experienced principal looking to acquire a new venture?

Considerations before accepting investors in your company

A private equity investor may become involved in a company at any stage of the company’s life.

Fixed Recoverable Costs: Is contracting-out the right move for your business?

In 2021 the Ministry of Justice set out how it proposed to extend the application of Fixed Recoverable Costs (FRC) regime in dispute resolution. Joe Creasor, solicitor in the Company Commercial team at Wake Smith looks at the details.

Intellectual Property: Key commercial issues

Joseph Creasor, solicitor in the Company Commercial team at Wake Smith looks at the key commercial issues with UK Intellectual Property (IP)

Pros and cons of a BIMBO?

Many people are familiar with a sale to trade, or to management team but one potential structure for a share transfer is the so-called BIMBO – a Buy In–Management Buy-Out.

Corporate re-organisation on the radar?

Whether you are looking for an exit, to grow your business or to split a business to achieve future business aims, a re-organisation could be the way forward for your business.

Register of Overseas Entities

In light of the War in Ukraine, the UK Government were prompted to revisit proposals on how to deal with the issue of UK property and land, amongst other assets, being controlled by faceless overseas entities. Joe Creasor takes a look at the issues surrounding it.