Put a UK employee share option plan in place with broader legal support

Problems often arise when the plan documents look sensible on paper but do not line up with how the business actually engages people or expects the incentive to work. Common pressure points include unclear vesting triggers, inconsistent leaver provisions, grants being offered to mixed participant groups, and conflicts with articles or shareholder arrangements already in place. The practical working model can be just as important as the contract wording. We help identify those issues in the setup stage, but this service can help you assess your position and reduce risk, not promise a particular outcome.

It is often a good fit for startups and growing companies that want a formal option structure in place, rather than relying on informal promises, generic forms or a one-off advice call. You may be hiring senior staff, rewarding key team members, or tidying up an approach that has developed over time. This service is broader than a narrower consultation because it covers the main plan documents, scheme rules and grant materials, together with legal input on how the arrangement fits your existing company paperwork and participant mix.

Yes. Participant status can affect how the plan should be documented and what assumptions are safe to make. A structure that works for employees may not translate neatly to consultants, advisers or founder-style roles, especially where service arrangements, termination rights or expectations about future equity differ. The drafting should be matched to the commercial arrangement, the documents already in use and the facts around how the work is performed. As part of this service, we can flag where mixed participant categories create drafting or rollout issues, so the plan terms better reflect how those relationships work in practice.

Yes, in many cases we can review what you already have and use it as a starting point if that is efficient. The issue is that templates often leave the most important commercial and legal points unresolved, such as who can participate, how grants are made, what happens on exit, and how good leaver or bad leaver treatment should operate. We can build from an existing draft where appropriate, but the final documents still need to match your company documents, participant categories and the way the plan is intended to run.

The fixed-fee covers the main legal work involved in setting up the option plan within the scope listed on this page. That usually includes a consultation about the proposed participant group and commercial terms, bespoke ESOP documents, custom scheme rules, grant letters, and a follow-up call on how the documents operate. We also address common setup points such as vesting, eligibility and leaver treatment. Specialist tax advice, filings, dispute work, ongoing HR management and continuing representation after the included work are outside this service and can be discussed separately if needed.

Working with us is simple. Start by submitting an enquiry through our website using the form at the top of this page or on our Get Started page. A legal project manager will review your enquiry within 1 business day and reach out to understand your needs.

They'll send you a fixed fee quote outlining costs, scope, and timing. If you're happy, you can accept and sign our engagement letter online. Once that's done, we'll connect you with an expert lawyer who will complete your project via email, phone, or video chat, with the timing confirmed in your quote.

If you're not looking for help with a specific matter, explore our platform, which offers free templates, tools to get your business set up, and even a free tier to get started. Whether you need legal support or just want to browse resources, we've got you covered.

At Sprintlaw, our pricing is transparent and designed for startups and small businesses. Many one-off legal services, including document drafting and reviews, are provided for a fixed fee with an upfront quote before you proceed.

Prices typically range from £100 to £1,500 depending on the complexity and scope of the work. For ongoing support, Sprintlaw Memberships include options such as legal templates, consultations, a legal helpline and credits for services.

If your project is larger or more complex, we will provide a tailored quote after understanding what you need.

Sprintlaw UK operates fully virtually, with the team working online across the UK to provide support to startups and small businesses nationwide. Many of our team are based in London and often meet at co-working offices, but our operations remain fully digital, ensuring flexibility and efficiency for both our clients and team.