Services for Business

At Robinsons, we offer a full range of corporate services. We have experience and knowledge in a wide range of sectors, offering practical and cost-effective advice.

Working closely with our clients, our experience extends far beyond drafting complex legal documents and advising on law and procedure. We aim to add real value and make an active contribution to help grow your business.

We deal with everything from business acquisitions to share purchase/sale agreements, company and LLP incorporation, directors service agreements, partnership agreements, Trade Mark registrations, Franchise Agreements, terms and conditions of business, contractual and commercial disputes- in fact the whole spectrum of services for the business community.

Whatever your objectives are, we can advise you on the best route and guide you safely through the pitfalls to successfully achieve your aim. Whether you are wishing to establish, restructure, buy or sell a company, we can help.

In addition, we deal with e commerce matters including the preparation and use of terms and conditions, copyright statements, privacy statements and website disclaimers.
Select the following links for more detailed information on an area that may be of particular interest to you.
Business Start up Back to top
If you are committed to starting your own business we can assist in making your business a reality. 
It is important to consider the structure of any business or commercial venture in detail and the options which are available to you when you start your own business.

You may wish to start up your own business from scratch and we can assist with advice and information on company formation, contracts of employment, supplier contracts and acquisition of premises.
For existing businesses we can assist in drafting or advising on Franchise Agreements, Business Sale Agreements, Asset Sale Agreements and all aspects of Employment Law. 
Company Formation Back to top

A limited company is the foundation upon which you build your business. Its structure will support and protect you as your company develops.

There are three main types of limited company:

Private Company limited by shares (Ltd) this is the most common form of company

Private Company limited by guarantee this type of company does not have share capital but is guaranteed by it’s members this is the most common type of formation for a charity

Public Limited Company (plc) this type of company can be publicly traded on a stock exchange.

We can assist in incorporating a company and the registration of all relevant information including registration of the companies office and officers. Often such work can be done on a “fixed fee basis”.
Franchise Agreements Back to top

Buying a franchise can be a quick way to set up your own business without starting from scratch.  Franchises are based on a proven idea. You can check how successful other franchises are before committing yourself.

You can use a recognised brand name and trade marks. You benefit from any advertising or promotion by the owner of the franchise.  The franchisor gives continued support - usually including training, help setting up the business, a manual telling you how to run the business and ongoing advice.

It is usual for Franchises to have exclusive rights in a particular territory. The franchisor will not sell any other franchises in the same region.

Financing the business may be easier. Banks are sometimes more likely to lend money to buy a franchise with a good reputation.

Of course there are also drawbacks to purchasing franchises including a lack of autonomy and restrictions on how the business is run.

We provide comprehensive advice to clients wishing to pursue this route and are experienced in advising both franchisors and franchisees on getting the right franchise agreement and can prepare appropriate documentation to facilitate a smooth and efficient transaction.

Business /Asset Sales and Purchases Back to top
The process of buying a business is not simple; in fact, it is almost similar to starting a new venture. Buying a business requires the same thoroughness as creating a business plan for starting a business.
If you find a business that you believe matches your requirements and you think that it can create and maintain customers, you need to do a thorough analysis to know its real merits. 
There are two ways in which a buyer can acquire a target business. It can either buy the shares of the company which owns the business and assets (share purchase) or it can buy the business and assets directly from the company that owns them (business purchase).
In a share purchase, all of the company’s assets, liabilities, rights and obligations transfer to the buyer (including assets, liabilities, rights and obligations which the buyer does not even know about) In a business purchase, the buyer theoretically has the ability to pick the assets it wants (including the ability to acquire parts only of the business) and to leave with the selling company the liabilities it does not wish to take on.

Whether the shares or the business and assets are to be acquired, we can prepare a sale and purchase agreement. The agreement, in each case, will contain various provisions to achieve the sale and purchase including the timing and method for the payment of the purchase price, the practical arrangements for completion, non-competition provisions and provisions to deal with confidentiality.
The agreement will also usually contain a schedule of warranties and indemnities, in the case of a share purchase, a tax indemnity.

The agreement will contain provisions dealing with how particular assets are to be transferred such as ongoing contracts and any property. Business purchases can be more complex due to the need to transfer each of the separate assets constituting the business. Also, more consents and approvals are often required (such as landlord’s consent or the consent of a key customer or supplier). 
Included in the services provided is due diligence, the process by which a purchaser of or an investor in a company or business investigates the records of the target to support its value.

In both cases complex employment issues can arise and our employment specialists will step in to advise as necessary. Likewise our Commercial Property Department will deal with all property purchase and lease formalities.

At Robinsons you therefore have a team of experts in their particular fields of expertise looking after your interests.
Partnership Agreements Back to top

In its simplest terms a partnership is defined as 2 or more people coming together in business to make a profit (or loss). Many people work in partnership therefore without realising the formality of this business structure or with anything in writing which can lead to future difficulties.
A partnership agreement allows you to structure your relationship with your partners in a way that suits your business. You and your partners can establish the shares of profits (or losses) each partner will take, the responsibilities of each partner, what will happen to the business if a partner leaves and other important guidelines.

Eventually, you may want to expand the business and bring in new partners. Agreeing on a procedure for admitting new partners will make things a lot easier when this issue arises.

At least as important as the rules for admitting new partners to the business are the rules for handling the departure of a partner and such provisions should be incorporated into any partnership agreement.

If you and your partners become deadlocked on an issue there should be a way in which to resolve this efficiently and swiftly.  It is then crucial that a partnership agreement provides for alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation or arbitration.

We are experienced in providing comprehensive advice and assistance in respect of all areas of partnership law including formation, dissolution and winding-up. We also work closely with accountants to ensure you receive appropriate tax advice and provide ongoing support for you business.
Directors Service Agreements Back to top

A Directors Service Agreement is a contract of employment between a Director and a private limited company. This is an executive employment agreement that regulates the relationship between the Director and the Company and sets out matters which are required to be dealt with by employment law.

A Directors Service Agreement includes normal employment terms (such as pay, holidays, pensions) as well as those terms more applicable to company directors such as company cars, shareholdings, confidentiality and non-competition. Often we can provide such documentation on an agreed “fixed fee” basis.
Intellectual Property

This is a legal field that refers to creations of the mind such as musical, literary, and artistic works; inventions; and symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce, including copyrights, trademarks, patents, and related rights.

Under intellectual property law, the holder of one of the above has certain exclusive rights to the creative work, commercial symbol, or invention by which it is covered.

The Intellectual Property rights are among the most valuable assets of any business.
We can assist in the protection and creation of these rights including registering trademarks to ensure these rights are protected.

A trademark is defined as any sign which can distinguish the goods and services of one trader from those of another.  In order for a trademark to be registered there are a number of requirements to be met, including that the mark must be distinctive for the goods or services for which it is to be registered

The simple act of protection of these rights can avoid potentially costly legal proceedings for any subsequent infringement of unregistered rights. 

Debt Recovery Back to top

Any business will inevitably encounter customer accounts which are overdue and cause concern.  We offer a pro-active service to assist in the recovery of assets and debts in the most cost effective and timely fashion.

We are experienced in debt and asset recovery utilising the approach most suited to the situation.

We are committed to recovering debts without recourse to litigation wherever possible and will work with you to understand your business and commercial needs to achieve the best outcome for you.
Employment Services for Business Back to top
  Our Employment Department works closely with their business clients to ensure they are made aware of latest developments in areas such as: redundancy and business reorganisation; unfair dismissal; discrimination; and maternity, paternity and parental issues.
We can assist your business by providing up to date employment contracts, Staff Handbooks and advice on such things as recruitment, disciplinary and grievance policies to name just a few of the areas we deal with.
For senior executives we can also provide Director’s Service Contracts together with comprehensive Non-Competition covenants.
We also represent Employers in the Employment Tribunal should your business have the misfortune of a claim being brought by an Employee.
With the rights available to employees and workers and the obligations on employers constantly changing we also encourage our business clients to discuss matters with us before taking action to ensure they comply with their obligations thus avoiding unnecessary claims. In this regard we can offer ongoing telephone advice and support whenever needed.
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