Business Set Up Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on business set up for uk businesses.

UK Company Branch: Meaning, When To Use One, And Legal Requirements
If you’re expanding into the UK (or growing within the UK) you’ve probably come across the idea of setting up a company branch. On paper, a branch can look like a “quick...

Franchising Your Business In The UK: Legal Steps, Agreements And Compliance
Franchising can be a brilliant way to grow without taking on every new site, new hire and new lease yourself. But when you’re franchising your business, you’re also turning what might have...

How To Appoint A New Company Director In The UK
Appointing a new director can be a big (and exciting) step for a growing business. Maybe you’re bringing in a co-founder, hiring an experienced operator to help you scale, or adding someone...

Deed Of Lease: What UK Businesses Should Know Before Signing
If you’re about to take on a shop, office, warehouse, studio, clinic, café, or any other commercial space, the paperwork can feel like it’s written in another language. One phrase you’ll often...

How To Appoint Directors in the UK: Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re running a UK company (or you’re about to incorporate one), appointing directors is one of those “foundations” tasks you don’t want to get wrong. Directors aren’t just names on Companies...

Do You Need A Company Seal In The UK?
If you run a small business, you’ve probably seen a company document that ends with a neat little circular stamp impression and wondered if you’re missing something important. Company seals can look...

9 Legal Questions Every Founder Should Ask Before Launching in the UK
Launching soon? Ask these 9 legal questions now to avoid costly mistakes and build stronger foundations for your UK business.

Incorporation In The UK: Benefits, Risks And Business Impact
If you’re running a small business (or gearing up to launch one), choosing the right legal structure can feel like a “future you” problem. But the truth is, your business structure affects...

Sole Trader Legal Responsibilities And Risks In The UK
Running a business as a sole trader can feel like the simplest way to get started in the UK. There’s less admin than a limited company, you keep control, and you can...

LLP Pros And Cons: Is An LLP Right For Your Business?
If you’re starting (or restructuring) a small business, choosing the right legal structure is one of those decisions that can quietly shape everything that comes after - your risk exposure, tax position,...

Private Limited Companies In The UK: What Small Businesses Need To Know
If you’re starting (or scaling) a business, choosing the right legal structure can feel like a big call. A lot of founders land on the same question early on: should you set...

What Happens To Company Assets When A UK Company Dissolves?
If you’re closing down your company, it’s easy to focus on the admin: filing forms, stopping trading, telling HMRC, and finally getting that “dissolved” notice. But one question can cause real headaches...

What Type Of Business Structure Is A Restaurant? UK Legal Requirements
Opening a restaurant is exciting, but it can also feel like you’re juggling ten things at once: menu planning, fit-out, staffing, suppliers, marketing, and (of course) making sure everything is legal. One...

Types of Mergers in the UK: A Guide for SMEs and Startups
When you’re running a small business or startup, “mergers” can sound like something that only happens in boardrooms at huge PLCs. But in practice, merging with another business (or combining operations in...

How To Register A Business Name As A Sole Trader In The UK
Choosing a business name is one of the most exciting parts of starting up - it’s the name you’ll put on your website, invoices, social media, packaging, and (hopefully) your future shopfront....

What Is a Joint Venture in Business? UK Joint Venture Guide
If you’ve found a potential collaborator who has the skills, assets, or market access you don’t - a joint venture can be a smart way to grow faster without taking on everything...

How To Get A Franchise In The UK: Legal Checklist
Buying a franchise can be a smart way to grow a small business without starting entirely from scratch. You’re stepping into a proven brand, tested systems, supplier relationships, and (often) established customer...

Free Business Partnership Agreement Template (UK): Key Clauses & Common Pitfalls
If you’re going into business with someone else, it’s easy to assume you’re “on the same page” because you trust each other (especially if it’s a friend, spouse, or long-time colleague). But...

What Happens If A Shareholder Dies Without A Will In The UK?
If you run a small company, you’ve probably thought about “what if” scenarios like losing a key client, a co-founder leaving, or funding drying up. But one scenario that can quietly cause...

What Does a Business Partner Do? Roles, Responsibilities and Legal Issues
If you’re building a small business, taking on a business partner can feel like a game-changer. The right partner can bring capital, skills, contacts and momentum. But it’s also one of the...

I've Started My Own Business. What Legal Advice Do I Need? (2026 Updated)
Starting your own business is a huge milestone. You've done the brave bit: backing yourself, putting your idea out into the world, and taking the first steps toward making it real. But...

Legal Aspects Of Starting A Small Business (2026 Updated)
Starting a small business is exciting - but it can also feel like you've suddenly been handed a never-ending checklist of "legal bits" you didn't know existed. The good news is that most of the legal...

What Is A Limited Liability Partnership Agreement? (2026 Updated)
Thinking about setting up (or already running) a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) in the UK? You're not alone. LLPs are a popular option for professional services firms, growing consultancies,...

Setting Up A Company Limited By Guarantee (2026 Updated)
If you're setting up an organisation that's designed to reinvest profits back into a mission (rather than paying dividends to shareholders), a company limited by guarantee can be a great fit. It's...
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