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Creating the right shareholders agreement for a company isn’t straightforward. No two agreements are exactly the same. Understandably, some boot strapping startups will try to save money by creating their own shareholders agreement using a template, but this can be a false economy. Every business is different and is exposed to a different set of risks, so it’s important to have a bespoke agreement developed and put in place from the outset. Every shareholders agreement needs to be developed according…

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 carried out by your advisors, especially in regard to the transferability of the business contracts. It is a sad fact, that some otherwise viable acquisitions have failed to succeed as a result…

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 need to consider whether you need to make any changes to your current shareholder agreement.

If you’re having problems at work and are unable to settle the issue through company channels such as the grievance procedure, there is the option to leave under the terms of what is known as a settlement agreement (previously known as a compromise agreement) if you and your employer both agree. You will need a solicitor for settlement agreement advice and JPP offers a fast and reliable services provided by experienced solicitors. A settlement agreement is a legally binding contract…

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 interests as much as possible and to be able to share or exit its investment in a fair manner. While minority shareholders may not usually benefit from voting rights, it is important to ensure they have access to drag…

February’s cabinet reshuffle saw the creation of a new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), headed up by Michelle Donelan. The new Secretary of State says the department will promote growth, encourage the creation of new jobs and bolster innovation.   For the first time, the five technologies of tomorrow: quantum, AI, engineering biology, semiconductors and telecoms, will be brought together under one umbrella department. Also included within its remit will be life sciences and green technologies.   But what exactly…

Mergers can offer many benefits to two smaller partnerships with good cultural alignment, including sharing costs and resources, access to economies of scale, and reduction of competition. There are a host of commercial issues that one has to be aware of when contemplating a merger of two partnerships. An in-depth analysis of the two businesses is crucial, as is ensuring that required documentation is completed correctly. The process of merging will inevitably require many moving parts, and you'll be better…

An employment settlement agreement is a legally binding contract in which one person, usually an employee, agrees to waive their rights to bring a claim in the employment tribunal or a court in return for another person, typically their employer, agreeing to do something, such as paying them a sum of money and agreeing to give them a reference.

Whilst there are many pros that social media can create for a business it is not without its cons. As the internet continues to grow at a rate that the law has failed to keep up with, organisations have had to adapt to deal with a wide range of online problems. There is no ‘social media law’ you can call on to address these issues. Instead, a mix of long-established legal principles and new laws are used in a bid…

Across the UK, fintech has been growing at an exponential rate throughout the last decade. As of 2022, the UK owns more than 10% of global market share. In 2020, there were more than 2,500 fintech companies operating in the UK and that figure has continued to grow since then. While investment in the global fintech landscape is now slowing, in the first half of 2022 the UK saw a 24% increase year-on-year in fintech investments, defying the global trend.…