Startups Articles

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

Lawyer For Business: What SMEs Need And When To Instruct

Lawyer For Business: What SMEs Need And When To Instruct

Running a small business is exciting - but the legal side can feel like a maze. That’s where a lawyer for business comes in. The right legal partner helps you set strong...

10 December 2025
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Employee Share Schemes In The UK: Reward Staff And Grow Safely

Employee Share Schemes In The UK: Reward Staff And Grow Safely

If you’re building a team and want to keep your best people for the long haul, offering employee shares can be a game-changer. Done well, an employee share plan aligns incentives, boosts...

10 December 2025
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Introducer Agreement: What It Is and How It Works

Introducer Agreement: What It Is and How It Works

If your business grows through word‑of‑mouth or trusted partners, an introducer agreement can be a simple way to scale those introductions without risking disputes or regulatory headaches. Think of it as the...

10 December 2025
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Breach of Fiduciary Duty for Directors in the UK

Breach of Fiduciary Duty for Directors in the UK

If you run a company, you’ll hear the phrase “fiduciary duty” sooner or later. It sounds technical, but it boils down to this: directors and others in positions of trust must act...

9 December 2025
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Governing Law Clause: What It Is And How To Use It

Governing Law Clause: What It Is And How To Use It

If you sign or send out contracts, you’ll see a short boilerplate line near the end that says something like “This agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.” That...

9 December 2025
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Governance In Business: Key Principles And Best Practices

Governance In Business: Key Principles And Best Practices

If you’re running a small company, “governance” might sound like something only big listed businesses worry about. In reality, good governance in business is simply about how you make decisions, who is...

9 December 2025
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How To Patent A Design In The UK

How To Patent A Design In The UK

If you’re searching for how to patent a design in the UK, you’re not alone. Lots of founders use “design patent” as a catch‑all term for protecting how their product looks. In...

9 December 2025
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What Happens When FCA Authorisation Expires?

What Happens When FCA Authorisation Expires?

If your business offers regulated financial services, your FCA status underpins everything - from your ability to trade to the contracts you sign with customers and partners. But what actually happens when...

9 December 2025
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Sole Trader Liability: What 'Personally Liable' Means in the UK

Sole Trader Liability: What 'Personally Liable' Means in the UK

If you’re weighing up whether to trade as a sole trader or set up a limited company, you’ll quickly run into the phrase: “a sole trader is personally liable for a business’...

9 December 2025
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How To Draft Contracts In The UK

How To Draft Contracts In The UK

Solid contracts are the backbone of any successful business relationship. Whether you’re selling services, buying stock, hiring contractors or licensing software, clear, well‑drafted contracts help you get paid on time, set expectations,...

9 December 2025
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How Trustee Companies Work in the UK

How Trustee Companies Work in the UK

Thinking about using a company to act as trustee for a trust linked to your business, assets or investors? You’re not alone. Many UK founders and SMEs use a corporate trustee to...

9 December 2025
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How To Protect Intellectual Property in the UK

How To Protect Intellectual Property in the UK

Your brand, content, product designs and unique know‑how are often the most valuable assets in your business. The challenge? They’re invisible and easy to copy if you haven’t put the right protections...

9 December 2025
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Do You Need a Non-Compete Lawyer in the UK?

Do You Need a Non-Compete Lawyer in the UK?

Bringing the right people into your business is exciting. But when team members move on, the risk of them taking customers, know‑how or your best staff with them is real. That’s where...

9 December 2025
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Convertible Senior Notes in the UK: What Businesses Should Know

Convertible Senior Notes in the UK: What Businesses Should Know

Looking at ways to raise capital without giving away too much control upfront? Convertible senior notes could be the bridge between where you are now and your next funding milestone. They’re popular...

9 December 2025
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TM Registration In The UK: How To Apply And Costs

TM Registration In The UK: How To Apply And Costs

If you’re building a brand in the UK, “TM registration” should be high on your to‑do list. A registered trade mark is one of the simplest, most powerful ways to protect your...

8 December 2025
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What Is Consequential Damage In UK Contracts?

What Is Consequential Damage In UK Contracts?

If you sell products or services, sooner or later a customer or supplier will ask you to “exclude consequential damage” or accept a “consequential loss” carve‑out. These lines can look harmless in...

8 December 2025
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What Are A Ordinary Shares?

What Are A Ordinary Shares?

If you’re setting up or growing a UK company, you’ll quickly run into the jargon of share classes. One term that pops up a lot is “A Ordinary Shares” (often written “A...

8 December 2025
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Is Crowdfunding Short- or Long-Term?

Is Crowdfunding Short- or Long-Term?

If you’re weighing up crowdfunding to raise money for your UK small business, one of the first questions you’ll run into is simple but important: is crowdfunding short or long term? The...

8 December 2025
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Corporate Social Responsibility for SMEs: How to Put It into Practice

Corporate Social Responsibility for SMEs: How to Put It into Practice

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) isn’t just for big brands with glossy reports. For small businesses in the UK, doing the right thing by your people, customers and community can directly boost trust,...

7 December 2025
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IP Indemnity Clauses In The UK: What To Know And How To Negotiate

IP Indemnity Clauses In The UK: What To Know And How To Negotiate

If you’re buying, building, licensing or selling anything involving intellectual property (IP), chances are an IP indemnity will be on the table. Handled well, it’s a powerful way to manage risk and...

7 December 2025
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Agency Contract In The UK: What You Need To Know

Agency Contract In The UK: What You Need To Know

If you’re looking to grow sales without hiring a full in-house team, appointing an agent can be a smart, flexible option. The right agency contract lets you tap into existing relationships, expand...

7 December 2025
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FCA Authorisations: What You Need To Know

FCA Authorisations: What You Need To Know

If your business touches money, credit or investments in any way, you’ve probably heard the phrase “FCA authorisations”. It can feel daunting at first - but understanding what the Financial Conduct Authority...

7 December 2025
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Corporate Law Services In The UK: What You Need And When

Corporate Law Services In The UK: What You Need And When

Growing a small business is exciting - and a little daunting. Between winning customers, hiring your first team member and keeping an eye on cash flow, it’s easy to leave the “corporate...

7 December 2025
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Limited Partnerships in the UK: Formation and Requirements

Limited Partnerships in the UK: Formation and Requirements

Thinking about bringing on an investor who wants limited risk while you handle day-to-day operations? A Limited Partnership (LP) can be a smart way to structure that relationship in the UK. In...

7 December 2025
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