Business Set Up Articles

Expert articles and practical legal guides on business set up for uk businesses.

Going Public: What UK SMEs Need To Know About Public Companies

Going Public: What UK SMEs Need To Know About Public Companies

If your business is growing fast, you’ve probably heard people talk about “going public” as the next big step. But what is a public company in the UK, and what does it...

27 January 2026
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Pros And Cons Of Being A Sole Trader In The UK

Pros And Cons Of Being A Sole Trader In The UK

Choosing the right business structure is one of those “small” setup decisions that can have a big impact on your day-to-day operations, admin, risk exposure and growth options. If you’re starting a...

27 January 2026
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What Is A Public Company? Requirements, Pros, Cons & Key Differences

What Is A Public Company? Requirements, Pros, Cons & Key Differences

If you’re building a business that’s starting to scale, you’ve probably heard people talk about “going public” as if it’s the ultimate milestone. But before you get ahead of yourself, it’s worth...

27 January 2026
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Special Resolutions: Decisions That Need 75% Approval in the UK

Special Resolutions: Decisions That Need 75% Approval in the UK

Most shareholder decisions in a UK company can be made with a simple majority. But when a decision is big enough to change the company’s “rules”, reshape shareholder rights, or alter the...

26 January 2026
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Shareholders Agreement Solicitors: When UK Startups and SMEs Need Help

Shareholders Agreement Solicitors: When UK Startups and SMEs Need Help

If you’re building a UK startup or growing an SME with more than one shareholder, you’re probably spending most of your time on the fun (and urgent) parts - product, customers, hiring,...

25 January 2026
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What Does Subsidiary Mean In The UK? How Subsidiary Companies Work

What Does Subsidiary Mean In The UK? How Subsidiary Companies Work

If you’re growing a small business, you’ll hear the word “subsidiary” come up sooner or later - usually when you start thinking about expansion, investors, risk, or setting up a new venture...

25 January 2026
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Companies House Fees: Filing Costs And Staying Compliant In The UK

Companies House Fees: Filing Costs And Staying Compliant In The UK

If you’re running a limited company in the UK (or you’re about to set one up), Companies House filings are one of those “non-negotiables” you’ll deal with every year. And while the...

24 January 2026
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What Does LLP Mean?

What Does LLP Mean?

If you’re choosing a business structure in the UK, you’ve probably come across the acronym “LLP” and wondered what LLP means - and whether it’s the right fit for your business. It’s...

23 January 2026
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What Does Jurisdiction Mean for UK Businesses?

What Does Jurisdiction Mean for UK Businesses?

If you’ve ever read a contract and seen a line like “the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction”, you’re not alone in wondering what jurisdiction means in practice. For...

23 January 2026
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Sole Proprietorship In The UK: Pros, Cons And Key Legal Considerations

Sole Proprietorship In The UK: Pros, Cons And Key Legal Considerations

Starting a business can feel like a big leap - especially when you’re trying to choose the “right” structure before you’ve even made your first sale. If you’re looking for something simple...

23 January 2026
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Shelf Companies Explained: What Is a Shelf Company and Should You Use One?

Shelf Companies Explained: What Is a Shelf Company and Should You Use One?

If you’re trying to get your business up and running quickly, you’ve probably come across the idea of a shelf company. It can sound like a shortcut: buy an “already formed” company...

23 January 2026
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How To Choose The Right Company Structure In The UK

How To Choose The Right Company Structure In The UK

Choosing a company structure is one of those “founder” decisions that can feel deceptively simple at the start. You might be thinking: “I just want to start trading - I’ll sort the...

22 January 2026
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Corporate Legal Services: What SMEs And Startups Need And When

Corporate Legal Services: What SMEs And Startups Need And When

If you’re running a small business or startup, “corporate legal services” can sound like something only big companies worry about. But in practice, corporate legal services are simply the legal building blocks...

22 January 2026
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Can You Franchise A Starbucks In the UK? Eligibility & Alternatives

Can You Franchise A Starbucks In the UK? Eligibility & Alternatives

If you’ve ever searched for a Starbucks franchise because you want a recognisable coffee brand and a proven operating model, you’re not alone. For many small business owners, the idea is straightforward:...

20 January 2026
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Ordinary vs Special Resolutions: Which Vote (and When) in the UK?

Ordinary vs Special Resolutions: Which Vote (and When) in the UK?

When people say “we need shareholder approval”, what they really mean is: “we need a resolution”. In the UK, most shareholder decisions are passed either as an ordinary resolution (simple majority) or...

20 January 2026
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Nominee Directors In The UK: Legal Risks And Safe Use

Nominee Directors In The UK: Legal Risks And Safe Use

If you run a small business, it’s normal to look for simple ways to manage risk, protect privacy, or keep things running smoothly when you’re not available. That’s often where the idea...

17 January 2026
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Business Legal Services In The UK: What Startups And Small Businesses Need

Business Legal Services In The UK: What Startups And Small Businesses Need

When you’re building a business, “legal” can feel like something you’ll deal with later - once you’ve got customers, cashflow, and a bit of breathing room. But in reality, most legal problems...

17 January 2026
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Corporate Lawyers For SMEs And Startups: What They Do And When You Need One

Corporate Lawyers For SMEs And Startups: What They Do And When You Need One

If you’re building a UK small business or startup, “legal” can feel like something you’ll deal with later - after you’ve made sales, hired people, or raised funding. But corporate law is...

17 January 2026
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When UK SMEs And Startups Need A Business Lawyer (And How They Help)

When UK SMEs And Startups Need A Business Lawyer (And How They Help)

If you’re running a UK startup or small business, it can feel like you’re making big decisions every week: signing new clients, hiring your first team member, launching a website, raising funding,...

17 January 2026
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Limited Company Meaning: What It Is And Whether It’s Right For Your Business

Limited Company Meaning: What It Is And Whether It’s Right For Your Business

If you’re starting (or growing) a business in the UK, you’ve probably heard people talk about “going limited”. But what does a limited company actually mean in plain English, and why do...

15 January 2026
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Why legal risk quietly kills startup growth

Why legal risk quietly kills startup growth

When small businesses talk about growth, the focus is usually on sales, marketing, and getting the next big customer. Legal work tends to sit in the background - until it becomes the...

14 January 2026
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How To Register A Business In The UK: Step-By-Step Guide

How To Register A Business In The UK: Step-By-Step Guide

If you’re starting a new venture, one of the first big “adulting” moments is working out how to register a business properly in the UK. It can feel a bit daunting at...

13 January 2026
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Partnership Agreements In The UK: What To Include And Avoid Disputes

Partnership Agreements In The UK: What To Include And Avoid Disputes

Starting a business with a co-founder (or a few co-founders) can be exciting. You can split the workload, share costs, and build something bigger than you could alone. But a partnership can...

13 January 2026
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Dormant Companies In The UK: Meaning, When It Applies And Obligations

Dormant Companies In The UK: Meaning, When It Applies And Obligations

If you’ve set up a limited company but haven’t started trading yet, it’s common to wonder whether you can (or should) keep it dormant. Maybe you registered a company name to “hold”...

12 January 2026
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