Business Set Up Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on business set up for uk businesses.
Article of Incorporation in the UK: The Equivalent Explained
If you’ve been Googling “article of incorporation” while trying to set up a UK company, you’re not alone. It’s a common term in the US, but in the UK we use different...
26 November 2025
What Does Patent Pending Mean In The UK?
If you’re developing a new product or process, you’ve probably heard the phrase “patent pending.” It sounds protective - and it can be - but only if you use it correctly and...
26 November 2025
Free Service Agreement Template (UK): Essentials And Pitfalls
Looking for a free service agreement template you can use with clients? We get it - when you’re growing a small business, grabbing a service agreement template free of charge can feel...
26 November 2025
Employment Rights Act 1996: Key Points For Employers
If you’re hiring in the UK, the Employment Rights Act 1996 (ERA 1996) underpins much of your day-to-day employer obligations. It’s the backbone of UK employment law, setting minimum standards around pay,...
26 November 2025
What Is An Agreement?
If you’re running a small business in the UK, you enter “agreements” all the time - with customers, suppliers, partners, contractors and even your landlord. But what is an agreement, legally speaking?...
26 November 2025
Terms Of Business Template: What To Include In The UK
Your terms of business (sometimes called terms and conditions or T&Cs) are the rules of the road for every customer relationship. They set expectations, reduce disputes and keep cash flowing. If you’re...
26 November 2025
When Is A Special Resolution Required In The UK?
If you run a limited company, there will be times when ordinary shareholder approval isn’t enough. Certain high‑impact decisions require a special resolution - a higher voting threshold and a few extra...
26 November 2025
Vested Share Options in the UK: What You Need to Know
Equity is one of the most powerful tools a small business has to attract, motivate and keep great people. But if you’re thinking about offering share options, you’ll quickly run into questions...
26 November 2025
How Long Can Personal Data Be Kept Under UK GDPR?
If your business collects customer details, employee records or website analytics, you’re handling personal data - and you can’t keep it forever. Under UK GDPR, you can only store personal data for...
25 November 2025
Benefits Of A Partnership: Is It The Right Business Structure?
If you’re starting up with a co-founder, a partnership can feel like the most natural way to get going - quick to set up, flexible and built on trust. But before you...
25 November 2025
Pre-Emption Agreements in the UK: Protect Shareholders, Raise Capital
If you run a private company in the UK, a pre-emption agreement (or “pre-emption rights”) is one of the simplest tools to stop your ownership from being diluted unexpectedly and to keep...
25 November 2025
Franchise Disclosure Document In The UK: What To Include
Thinking about franchising your successful concept? A clear, comprehensive franchise disclosure document is one of the best tools you have to set expectations, reduce disputes and help new franchisees make informed decisions....
25 November 2025
What Is Equity In A Company?
If you’re building a business in the UK, you’ll hear the word “equity” a lot - when setting up your company, talking to investors, rewarding key hires, or planning an exit. But...
25 November 2025
Trustee Companies In The UK: What Small Businesses Should Know
Thinking about using a trustee company for your business or family venture? You’re not alone. Many UK founders use a corporate trustee to hold assets, ring‑fence risk and keep decision‑making tidy as...
25 November 2025
What Is a Corporate Company?
If you’re weighing up business structures, you’ve probably asked: what is a corporate company, and when does it make sense for a small business? In the UK, the term typically means a...
25 November 2025
How IPO Trade Mark Registration Works in the UK
Building a brand is hard work - and once you’ve got a name, logo or tagline that customers recognise, you’ll want to lock it down before a competitor does. That’s where IPO...
25 November 2025
Employing Self‑Employed Staff In The UK: What Employers Should Know
Bringing in self‑employed people can be a smart, flexible way to add skills to your team without growing your payroll. You can scale up or down, tap specialist expertise and move quickly...
25 November 2025
How A Data Transfer Agreement Works In The UK
If your business sends personal data to another company - whether that’s a cloud provider, an overseas partner, or a sister company - you’ll likely need a Data Transfer Agreement to stay...
25 November 2025
Becoming a Franchisee in the UK: Contracts, Compliance and Key Steps
Thinking about becoming a franchisee? It’s a popular way to launch or expand a small business in the UK without starting from scratch. You tap into an established brand, proven systems and...
25 November 2025
Material Transfer Agreements in the UK: Key Terms and Safe Use
If your business needs to send or receive physical samples, prototypes, reagents, datasets on hard drives, cell lines or even confidential prototypes for testing, you’ll want a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) in...
25 November 2025
Can a Settlor Be a Trustee in the UK?
If you’re exploring trusts to hold company shares, protect family wealth or structure an employee incentive, you’ll quickly run into a key question: can the person setting up the trust (the settlor)...
25 November 2025
DPA Compliance in the UK: How to Get It Right
If your business touches customer names, emails, employee records, or even website analytics, the UK’s data protection rules apply to you. Getting Data Protection Act (DPA) compliance right isn’t just about avoiding...
25 November 2025
What Is a Shell Company and How Does It Work?
“Shell company” is a phrase that tends to set off alarm bells. You might hear it in the context of fraud, offshore tax schemes or investigative news stories. But in day-to-day UK...
25 November 2025
What Is a JV (Joint Venture)?
If you’re exploring ways to collaborate, share risk or enter a new market without a full merger, you’ve probably heard the term “JV”. But what is a JV, exactly, and how does...
25 November 2025
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