Startups Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on startups for uk businesses.

What Is A Stock Transfer Form?
If you’re running a UK limited company, sooner or later someone will ask to buy shares, sell shares, gift shares, or bring in a new investor. That’s when you’ll usually come across...

Who Owns Software IP And How To Protect Your Code
If your business relies on software (an app, a website platform, an internal tool, or even a set of scripts that automate your operations), the intellectual property in that software can quickly...

Shell Companies: Definition, Legitimate Uses and Legal Risks for UK Businesses
If you’ve ever googled what is a shell company, you’ve probably seen the term used in two very different ways. On the one hand, a shell company can be a perfectly legitimate...

B Corp Certification Cost in the UK: Fees, Legal Requirements & Key Factors
Thinking about becoming B Corp certified in the UK is exciting - it can help you show customers, partners and investors that your business is genuinely committed to doing business responsibly. But...

Wrongful Trading: What UK Company Directors Need To Know
If you run a limited company, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the phrase “wrongful trading” in the context of business distress or insolvency. It can sound dramatic (and it is serious),...

When Is A Contract Legally Binding In The UK?
As a small business owner, it’s normal to want one clear moment where you can say: “Great - the contract is signed, we’re protected, let’s get started.” In practice, it can be...

What Is a Written Resolution?
If you run a UK company, you’ll eventually need to make formal decisions as a board or as shareholders. Sometimes that decision can’t wait for the next meeting (or you simply don’t...

What Happens When a Company Is Struck Off (And How to Reinstate It)
If you’ve just discovered your company has been “struck off” (or you’ve received a warning letter from Companies House), it can feel like everything has suddenly gone into freefall. But don’t panic....

Lease Documents Explained: What UK SMEs Should Know Before Signing
Signing a new premises lease can feel like a “big milestone” moment for your business - new location, new footfall, a space you can finally make your own. But the legal paperwork...

TM vs ®: What’s the Difference Between Trademark Symbols in the UK?
If you’re building a brand, you’ll probably see the TM symbol and the ® symbol everywhere - on product packaging, websites, apps, and social media bios. It’s completely normal to wonder what...

Open Banking Regulations In The UK: A Practical Guide For Startups & SMEs
Open banking can be a game-changer for startups and SMEs - whether you’re building a fintech product, improving your invoicing and cashflow tools, or embedding pay-by-bank functionality into your checkout. But if...

Novation Agreement Template (UK): Key Clauses And When You Need One
If you’re running a small business, there’ll be times when a contract needs to “move” from one party to another. Maybe you’ve sold part of your business, restructured your group, or you...

Patent Advice for UK Startups and SMEs on Protecting Your Invention on a Budget
If you’ve built something genuinely new - a product, a mechanism, a process, or a piece of tech - you’ve probably had the same two thoughts: “We need to protect this before...

How To Trademark Your Name In the UK
If you’re building a business around your brand, your name can quickly become one of your most valuable assets. That’s why so many founders ask the same question early on: “Can I...

Startup Attorney In the UK: When To Hire One And What They Do
When you’re building a startup, it’s easy to treat legal as something you’ll handle later - once the product is ready, the customers are coming in, and you’ve got time to breathe....

How To Work Out Share Value For UK Startups And SMEs
If you run a UK startup or SME, “share value” can feel like one of those topics you’re supposed to understand, but no one really explains in plain English. And yet, you’ll...

How Much Does It Cost To Dissolve A Limited Company In The UK?
Closing a limited company is one of those admin-heavy business tasks that can feel intimidating - especially when you’re already juggling customers, cashflow and day-to-day operations. One of the first questions most...

Legal Checklist For Opening A Gym In The UK
Opening a gym can be an exciting move for a startup or small business - you’re building a community, creating recurring revenue, and (hopefully) helping people feel healthier. But when you’re opening...

UK Director Fiduciary Duties: What Directors Must Do and Avoid
If you run a small company in the UK, being a “director” isn’t just a title on Companies House or a line in your email signature. It comes with legal responsibilities that...

Joint Venture Agreement: What UK Businesses Should Include Before Partnering Up
Teaming up with another business can be a smart way to grow faster, share costs, and win work you couldn’t realistically take on alone. But a joint venture can also go sideways...

Intellectual Property Strategy For UK Startups And SMEs
If you’re building a startup or growing an SME, your “stuff” isn’t just what you can touch and hold. A lot of your real value sits in things like your brand name,...

A Guide To Share Subscription Agreements (2026 Updated)
If you're raising money for your UK startup or growing business, a share subscription agreement can feel like one of those "big legal moments" that turns your idea into a real investable...

Starling Bank And Crypto: UK Banking And Compliance For Startups And SMEs
If you run a startup or SME in the UK and you’re working anywhere near crypto (whether that’s accepting it, building with it, or providing services to crypto businesses), your banking setup...

How To Set Up A Care Home In The UK: Legal Requirements And Key Contracts
If you’re researching how to set up a care home, you’re probably already aware this isn’t like starting a typical service business. You’re providing care to some of the most vulnerable people...
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