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
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...

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...
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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...
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...

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:...

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...

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...
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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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”...
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