Sort out the legal groundwork before your startup brings on its first hire

The biggest issue is often not the offer itself, but the assumptions made around it. Founders may treat someone as a contractor even though the day to day setup looks closer to employment, or they may use a short contract without clear confidentiality, intellectual property or privacy wording. First hires also tend to shape later hiring habits, so gaps can get repeated. This service looks at the role structure and the core documents together. It helps you assess and reduce risk, but it gives you practical support while recognising that some outcomes depend on third parties in every scenario.

This is usually the better option when your first hire raises more than one legal question at once. For example, you may still be deciding whether the role should be employee or contractor, you may need an employee privacy notice, or you may want basic onboarding policies alongside the agreement. In that situation, a standalone contract may leave important gaps. This service is aimed at startups at launch, pilot, fundraising or early growth stage that want the main first-hire documents and structure considered together.

It usually includes legal input on the proposed hiring structure, drafting or reviewing an employment or contractor agreement, and preparing an employee privacy notice. Depending on the role and your setup, it can also include basic workplace policies or a simple handbook and onboarding wording around confidentiality or intellectual property. The service is intended to cover the core legal documents commonly needed for a startup's first hire. Wider HR systems, payroll setup, pension administration and larger policy suites would normally be separate work if needed.

Yes. That is one of the main reasons founders use this service. We can look at factors such as control, expected hours, how integrated the person will be in the business, and how the relationship is meant to operate in practice. The practical working model can be just as important as the contract wording, so the label alone is not enough. We can then advise on the more suitable structure and prepare the matching agreement. This service You will get a clear view of the legal issues and the next steps that matter.

Once you instruct us, we collect the practical details about the role, the proposed working arrangement and any documents you already use. We then prepare or review the relevant first-hire documents and raise any points that need clarification before they are finalised. If the role setup suggests a mismatch between the intended arrangement and the paperwork, we will flag that and explain the next step. The service is about getting the initial hiring documents into shape, rather than acting as an ongoing outsourced HR function.

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.