How Can We Help The Business Man?
What Is The Role Of The Solicitor?
We believe that the help we can give is based on our experience and knowledge of the law.
This firm, in common with most high street practices, has adapted over the years and is itself run as a business not just as a professional entity. We are only too conscious of the difficulties of running a business - the cost of space; the pitfalls of being an employer; the effect of competition; the march of technology; the impact of government regulation; the processes of court action.
So on each of those broad subjects we can advise:-
Cost of space - even a simple tenancy agreement is worthy of advice -
- do you have security of tenure? i.e. a right to renew.
- Who insures?
- Who repairs the roof?
- Can you transfer to a third party or share occupation?
Some landlords produce 50 page leases (or even longer) - why? Because the longer it is the more likely it ties up the tenant. We would negotiate on the terms to ensure that the tenant is protected and that particular points of importance to the tenant are covered. You may need a survey or at least a schedule of condition - repairing covenants can be very onerous.
Employment - the law requires you to provide terms of employment - we can advise. You need to think about confidentiality, periods of notice, future competition. Regulations are constantly being issued which may be relevant - just think of those in 2000 alone.
Competition - You should have terms and conditions of business so your customers know where they stand especially if you intend to give credit. You need to be advised on
- title retention,
- variation of price,
- tolerances,
- implied terms.
It makes sense to start right.
Technology - Again this is a field ripe for regulation. The Government wants to UK to provide the best environment for e-commerce.
- What rights does the consumer have?
- Do you know about the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000?
Government Regulation - Need we say more?
Court action - We pride ourselves on prompt issue of proceedings where appropriate, but often other action is better - statutory demands for payment - alternate dispute resolution (ADR) - there are protocols in place which seek to guide the way.
The matters mentioned above may well fall into the routine category but we do also undertake:-
- Company formations - sometimes it is better to tailor make than buy off the peg and alter.
- Share acquisitions - the preparation and processing of vending agreements needs particular attention to detail - we would expect to liaise with accountants and prepare a full package of warranties and tax indemnities.
- Preparation of partnership agreements and other commercial and service contracts.
Talk to us. We will provide costs information and guidance on timing. We are not as large as many but we do try to give quality.
For further information e-mail us on info@cma-law.co.uk or telephone Tim Arkwright on 01204 535261.
