Business succession planning is essential for ensuring the long-term success and stability of a family-owned business. The structure of the family business is at the core of a business’ succession planning. The structure of the business and the...
Launching a new consumer product is exciting, with a great deal of attention going on the branding, packaging, and every touch point of the consumer experience. But behind the scenes, it is important to pay just as much attention to the legal issues if...
Several measures announced in the Autumn Budget will affect businesses, and this serves as a timely reminder to review and update plans for your business. As a company director, the subject of business governance should be at the forefront of your mind. By...
If you are looking to sell your business, then finding and selecting a suitable buyer will be your primary concern. If you do not already have a buyer lined up and need to go to market, then appointing a business sales broker may be a necessary step forward....
If you rely on the supply of packaging from a third party, you may be at risk in a number of ways. Does the quality meet your brand standards? Do the materials fulfil the environmental specification? How much wastage is acceptable? Will you suffer a...
If your business is owed money, the impact on cash flow can be considerable. Since interest rates have improved you could also be losing potential returns on investment, so it is important to keep a tight control on business debts. When chasing late...
All businesses rely on energy supplies to allow them to trade to some extent. Even if your business does not use large amounts of energy for manufacturing or other related work, it will require reliable lighting, heating, and internet supplies to conduct...
With the rise of the digital era and advances in technology, we have seen and will continue to see growth in the use of electronic contracts to conclude legal agreements between parties. While there are advantages in terms of speed and remote access, there...
Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors is proud to announce the expansion of its Commercial and Dispute Resolution divisions. This strategic enhancement aligns with their commitment to meet the burgeoning demand for business legal services within the region. Ian...
Negotiating funding for your management buyout (MBO) Buying into and taking the helm of a business you know well can be an exciting prospect. A management buy-out (MBO) offers the experienced management team a chance to take a business forward in...
The dairy sector plays an extremely important role in UK agriculture. Its success is underpinned by countless relationships between farmers and processors. For some time, however, there have been instances where these relationships have not been...
When setting up a business as a partnership, or revisiting your partnership agreement for any reason, it is important to consider the core topic of how profits and losses will be shared. Your partnership agreement needs to accurately reflect your true...
If you are a member of a partnership and one of your partners has been accused of breaching professional standards, this will have a serious impact on the whole partnership - not just the partner under scrutiny. The partnership will have to handle an...
Owning and managing a business in the 21 st century usually involves a significant degree of reliance on information technology, almost regardless of sector or industry. The extent of this reliance is ever increasing with each passing year, with many...
A contract is often compared to an insurance policy; you hope you never have to make a claim. Similarly, you hope you will never need to consult a commercial contract because things have not been going to plan. Of course, if a dispute arises, the contract...
Imagine a contract you entered into is not going as expected and you want to terminate. All you want is to get out of this contract but, if not terminated properly, this could end up causing you more issues than necessary. Ending a contract cleanly is,...
If you have been presented with an opportunity for a potential management buyout (MBO) at the company where you work, and you believe there is a strong future for the business, then one of your first and most pressing considerations will be the funding. ...
As a business owner in partnership with others, you probably took great care to consider the key issues and agree a carefully worded partnership agreement at the formation of your business. But once signed, has this important document been filed away...
When appointing a new supplier there is often a dilemma over the issue of confidentiality. How do you strike the balance between sharing enough information to obtain the best deal without jeopardising confidential business information? It is...
If you are planning to sell your business to your management team, agreeing the terms of the deal is just the beginning. It is vital that you manage the management buyout (MBO) process from start to finish as you would any major project. At each stage there...
While some business transactions are quick and simple, many involve protracted negotiations as you shop around for the best provider of goods or services and negotiate hard to get the best terms and conditions. Some businesses in your supply chain may have a...
Joint ventures – choosing the right structure and whether to incorporate As a business owner preparing for a joint venture, you and your potential partner will need to decide how best to structure the business arrangement so that it provides the...
Commercial landlords are increasingly keen to show that their buildings are sustainable. With energy prices high and continuing uncertainty in the global energy markets, producing renewable energy on commercial buildings is more attractive than ever....
Indemnities and limited liability clauses are often the most negotiated provisions in business contracts. It is a fine balance between agreeing appropriate risk and allocating protections, while at the same time remaining reasonable in order to conclude the...
If you are planning to sell your business, one option might be a management buyout (MBO) if you think the current management team could be interested in buying you out. Planning well ahead will help to ensure that the MBO team is right for the deal, that...
With predictable revenue streams, it is understandable why a subscription business is attractive. Recent years have seen the launch of various innovations, such as monthly recipe boxes, coffee pods or health products, with numerous digital apps adding to...
A robust set of terms and conditions are essential for every business, allowing you to clearly outline the products or services you are selling, the terms on which you are selling them, and the steps that will be taken if things go wrong. Not only is it...
If you have spotted a great business acquisition opportunity and the headline figures look superb, how do you know that you will be getting the value and benefits in the deal that you had hoped for? The key lies in the quality and depth of the due diligence...
Becoming a minority shareholder or investor in a business may lead you to believe that, given the limited rights you will have, there are not many important considerations to take into account. However, even a minority investor needs to protect their...
Warranties and indemnities are routinely included in commercial agreements. Their aim is to provide a right of redress where representations or contract-critical information has been provided by one party to another, and this turns out to be inaccurate or...
Where there is a good cultural alignment, a merger can offer numerous benefits to two smaller partnerships, particularly in terms of sharing costs and resources, and access to economies of scale while potentially also reducing competition. ‘There are...
While social media can be hugely beneficial for many businesses, it is not without its problems. Organisations have had to adapt to deal with unfavourable reviews, account hacking, data protection breaches, fake accounts and impersonation, use of their brand...
When you work in partnership with someone, you need to trust them implicitly. You also need a shared vision, a common business plan, and clarity over your respective roles and responsibilities as you strive to achieve your objectives. But what happens...
Investment in another business may be part of your business growth strategy, especially if you operate in the same market or supply chain. Acquiring a slice of the pie through the purchase of shares is one way to secure such an investment and may seem...
A will is an important part of everybody’s legal planning no matter your circumstances, but for anyone who is in business a well written will is vital to ensure the minimum disruption after your death. Whether you are a sole practitioner, a partner in...
If you want software that is unique to your business, and which is specifically designed to meet your operational needs, then the commissioning of a bespoke solution is almost certainly the way to go. However, to ensure that your vision marries up to what is...
Early-stage businesses often struggle to secure cost-effective funding and sometimes it may be tempting to look to alternative solutions, such as crowdfunding. It can serve different purposes all at the same time: raising capital, marketing, engaging...
‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ This is an old adage that some say dates back to the first century BC, and which is as relevant today as it was at the time it was first conceived. It is particularly relevant in the context of...
If you need a cash injection for your business to help with growth costs, or to fund the purchase of plant and equipment, diversification, or expansion, then you will need to think carefully about the finance options open to you and their potential pros and...
Early-stage businesses often struggle to secure cost-effective funding, but sometimes funding alone is not enough to help them thrive, especially when expertise is critical to success. A business angel can provide both, and this could be a good solution to...
Have you ever signed a contract which seemed to be perfectly clear, straightforward and reasonable at the time it was agreed, but which later turned out to be ambiguous in important respects or which gave rise to unintended and arguably unfair results? If...
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Government made an unprecedented financial support package available for struggling businesses. Millions of enterprises took advantage of the help on offer, but because of the speed with which the various schemes...
Running a business through a traditional partnership has many advantages, including the ability to keep financial information confidential, less onerous compliance with statutory rules for companies, and transparent tax treatment where partners are only...
Becoming or working towards being a greener business is nothing new, but the pressures are mounting to take environmental issues more seriously as an important corporate responsibility, and to show real action and commitment beyond just marketing puff. ...
As your business grows, instead of taking on more staff, you may decide to outsource certain services either on a temporary or more permanent basis. There is almost no limit to the type of services that can be outsourced nowadays, from manufacturing and drop...
The opportunity to purchase a competing or complimentary business provides an important route to expansion, but it is important to be clear about what exactly you are acquiring in a business - whether this is via shares or assets. It is crucial that any...
Businesses may need to send someone to court for a variety of reasons; from recovering an unpaid debt or contractual overpayment, to defending a personal injury claim or tax action brought against them by HMRC. Whatever the circumstances, there will be a...
When the New York Times announced in February 2022 that they had bought the popular free to play word game Wordle for a seven-figure sum, there were a few raised eyebrows. How could a game that was only launched a few months earlier, which has never...
Adrenalin may be running high if you are on the verge of buying a business or selling the company you have built from scratch. You may have already sought professional advice regarding the company valuation but there are other critical issues on which...
Even the most promising development can be knocked off course if the land is subject to a restrictive covenant. Restrictions of this sort can prevent land being built on or being used for specific purposes for many years, even if the development has...
Setting up a new business is an exciting time, and there are a thousand things to think about, but if you are launching your new venture with one or more other colleagues it is imperative to decide in advance how you are going to structure it legally. One...
Contractual rights v tortious remedies When a problem arises in a business relationship, many people mistakenly believe that the only thing they need to check in order to ascertain their respective rights and obligations will be the terms of any contract...
The most common reason why a director will be required to provide a personal guarantee is because a lender or supplier perceives a level of risk in your business. Perhaps the lender is not confident that your business cash flow is liquid enough to fulfil its...
If you are contemplating buying another business, then you will have been suitably impressed with the sale particulars. But these do not tell the whole story and when you decide to acquire the assets of a business you will want to satisfy yourself that...
With people seeking greater flexibility and a better work-life balance, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) now account for over 90 per cent of all private businesses in the UK. ‘ Launching and building your new startup is an exciting time and...
Setting out the terms upon which you provide your goods or services to another business will reduce the risk of a dispute by making clear the expectations on either side. But what if a dispute arises and a client or customer claims that they have suffered a...
'Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake,’ said Napoleon Bonaparte, and many a business advantage has been achieved by not pointing out a mistake or an omission by the other side in a deal or negotiation. But what can you do if...
Commercial landlords rely on insurance to cover the cost of repairing damage to their investment property beyond normal wear and tear, and business tenants expect a rent holiday if they cannot use their premises. Many commercial landlords and tenants,...
Time to review your shareholder agreement If you are planning to appoint a new director to work in your business who will also acquire shares in your company then, as well as drawing up a service level agreement to govern their employment, you will also...
Greater damages likely under new ‘scope of duty of care’ test in professional negligence claims. In June 2021, the Supreme Court issued a judgment which has the potential to make it easier for clients who have received negligent...
While many founders and business owners will implement succession plans to sell or pass their business to a new generation of owners, sometimes it is clear that you have reached the end of the road and the best decision is to call it a day and close the...
You may have heard about someone looking after their elderly parent’s finances and affairs using a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), but there are other occasions when it makes sense to have an LPA in place. In our personal lives we tend to...
With the coronavirus still disrupting supply chains and causing financial difficulties, it is unsurprising that some trading partners are unable to meet their contractual obligations to provide goods, services, or remittance within previously agreed...
If you have decided that the time has come to admit a new member to your partnership, then there are a number of important steps that you will need to take in preparation. To help you plan, partnership law expert Ian Barnard, Director...
Keeping commercial property insured and in good repair is important for both landlords and tenants, but for slightly different reasons. The tenant wants to be able to run a business from a well-maintained property. The landlord’s chief...
It is not unusual for business contracts to include a provision which requires compensation to be paid, by one party to another, in the event that certain terms are not complied with. But are you obliged to make payment under such a provision where a...
Ecommerce is a fast-moving medium for retailers and, whether you have an established online presence or are just starting out, a periodic review of changes in the law and trading regulations can help ensure your business runs smoothly. ...
Water, drainage, and sewers might be out of sight, but should not be out of mind for commercial property owners . The legal rights relating to water drainage in the UK are complex and important, especially for properties prone to flooding. ...
Relationships with manufacturers can become the backbone of your business in the long term, which is why it is important to have legal agreements in place that will grow with these relationships. ‘B efore any contract conversations even begin,...
When a landlord and tenant try to settle the terms for a new commercial lease, each party will have clear objectives. The landlord wants a secure income stream and confidence that the property will be left in good condition at the end of the...
Selling a business ? Make sure you clear out any skeletons first. Preparation is the key to success with most things in life and is particularly important when you are trying to attract a buyer for your business. This is because any potential...
Can I halt court proceedings against my business, if no attempt made to resolve matters outside court first? Where a dispute arises in business, it is always preferable if it can be resolved without the need to go to court. That is why an...
If your business is expanding, you may have outgrown your current premises. Before you start looking for a new site, it is worth investigating whether you could extend your existing property. Depending on the site and the nature of your building,...
If you have a great idea for developing a piece of unused land, you may find that you need to get control of some neighbouring property to provide access or just to make the development large enough to be financially viable. Assembling a site can be...
Whether you are planning on using subcontractors for a one-off project or on a long-term basis, there are several steps you can take to safeguard both your business and business relationships. Subcontractor checks ‘ The first step is to carry...
With the UK economy currently in the deepest recession since records began, disputes between landlords and tenants are beginning to rise as pressure mounts on commercial occupiers to find ways to diversify and slash overheads in order to survive...
It is the thing that all company directors dread – the prospect of a claim of an alleged breach of duty – for this can give rise to personal liability or can result in the imposition of criminal sanctions or a director’s disqualification...
Starting any new business comes with a steep learning curve, especially as a founder when you often find yourself wearing all the management hats. This is why it is important to deal with the core legal issues early, so that when the time comes to scale up,...
If you are reviewing your commercial property portfolio, you may decide that the time is right to sell some of your property. It goes without saying that you will want to get the best possible value from the sale. Prices are strongly affected...
While certain changes are already in place as a result of Brexit, we can expect a continuous stream of legislative reform that will affect businesses and their commercial contracts . As the new trading relationship with the EU evolves, it is likely...
Is your business ripe for more growth? Do you have the team that can take your business to the next level? Or do you want to take a step back and reap some of the rewards of your efforts? If continuity is important to you, then a management buy-out (MBO) or...
Businesses need to be agile to survive and prosper, particularly as we face the duel challenge of having to deal with a global pandemic, while also bracing ourselves for the UK’s exit from the EU. The ability to react quickly and to develop services...
Every business we speak to at the moment is seeking ways to mitigate the disruption caused by the Coronavirus pandemic . Of particular importance to our clients is protecting their workforce, and trying to avoid the need for lay-offs, wage reductions, and...
As concerns over the Coronavirus increase, we are finding that a lot of employers are asking our advice in relation to their obligations towards their employees. Coronavirus – What is it? “Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses...
An opportunity to get all the answers to business questions in one place is happening in Malton in February 2020. The Local Enterprise Partnership with Ryedale District Council and the local business community will be on hand at the Popup Business...
Our Commercial Property team have put together the following top 10 tips for you to consider when looking to rent an industrial or commercial property. Be prepared – consider the property you are looking to rent, how much space do you need? How...
Commercial tenants do have rights but they are more limited than residential tenants. Commercial tenants may have the protection of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. Find out if the Act applies to you as a commercial tenant as well as information on...
Landlords need to be aware of environmental legislation requirements before letting their properties. This is called the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) Regulation. The main aim behind this is to prevent Landlords from renting out residential and...
The new tax year starts on 6th April when the following changes will come into effect: General and employee tax and NI changes for 2019/20 • The personal allowance (the amount that someone...
If you are a Williams & Glyn (division of Royal Bank of Scotland) customer, and your business has an annual turnover of less than £25 million then you may be eligible for incentives to switch your banking to another provider. Summary of what is...
For many landowners, an attractive way to utilise their land without creating too much disruption to their core farming business, was to allow telecommunication masts to be erected on their land. Whilst not visually attractive, the masts would generally be...
It is an exciting time to be in the food and drink sector in Yorkshire. An interesting article from Bdaily.com can be found here showing excellent growth over the last 12 months for Yorkshire and Humber food and drink exports. There has been an 11%...
What are the new Regulations? The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards Regulations (MEES) set out the minimum level of energy efficiency for properties in England and Wales. From 1 April 2018, it will be unlawful for landlords of non-domestic private...
If you were asked why it is important to protect your brand, I’m sure you could supply an endless list of motives. However, the common misconception lies in how to do this effectively. Simply registering your business name at Companies House or...
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has highlighted the increasing use of personal devices (such as smartphones, tablets and laptops) for work purposes. The ICO suggests that businesses should update data protection policies and provide staff...
Many people decide to purchase a small business as a going concern, be it a pub, bed and breakfast, cafe, or something a little more unique. You might already have a lot of experience in how to run the particular business (or, at the very least, bags...
Buying or selling a dental practice should be an exciting time for any dentist but all too often this excitement is overshadowed by delays in the transactional process. While unexpected delays can arise in any deal, which are out of all parties’...
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has recently imposed fines on several organisations for data breaches: Hampshire County Council was fined 100,000 for failing to implement effective contingency plans to protect personal data when...
A High Court decision provides a helpful reminder for commercial tenants of the need to fully comply with any conditions for exercising a right to break the lease. Otherwise, as in this case, the lease will continue to exist and the tenant may have lost...
The dental market continues to be highly active with a mix of NHS and private practices coming on the market and generally being acquired quickly through a competitive marketplace. There is significant demand to acquire both private and NHS practices. ...
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We have come across other legal teams and seen how their services have worked and we would highly recommend Crombie Wilkinson as they are competent and approachable in their services.
Everything was explained clearly and as a first time buyer I found this particularly helpful.
Have huge confidence in Crombies, always listen, always act.
Having had previous property related work completed in a prompt and satisfactory manner we were more than happy to approach your company for further work on our behalf.
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Our solicitor, secretary and the reception staff all excellent service.
Quick and easy, I have already recommended a friend, they are also using you to buy a house.
Your patience and support has been much appreciated. You helped me through a very difficult, frustrating time but I am already settled in my new home and the children all feel happy there, in fact they have hardly left!!
Everyone was so friendly, we were soon put at ease.
Immediate attention and sunny disposition, caring, nothing was too much. Levels of service are perfect, no improvement necessary.
I was very pleased with Crombie Wilkinson. I will in future always go back with any problems I may have.
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