We advise clients on the legal issues arising at every stage of their business journey. For example:

• the selection and establishment of the appropriate business vehicle

• putting in place appropriate shareholders / LLP / partnership agreements

• advice in relation to the creation of group structures as clients grow, to help manage trade risk

• advice in relation to preparation of a business for succession and exit issues

• the use of trusts and employee ownership structures

• putting in place tax efficient share option schemes

A particular growth area in recent years has been the establishment of family investment companies – corporate vehicles designed to pass assets through generations in a tax efficient manner. In this, and all other areas, we work closely with our colleagues in the Wills, Estates and Future Planning team to ensure clients receive well-rounded and specialist advice at every step of their business journey.

Commercial contracts are the cornerstone of business in every industry. This could be standard terms and conditions for the purchase and supply of goods and services, or a suite of contracts governing the various parties involved in a construction project. It could be a manufacturing licence, a commercial agency agreement or a contract for the supply of any of the components you require.

You may have to navigate public procurement processes and comply with industry-specific regulatory requirements. When considering accepting the standard terms of a supplier, you need to understand the implications of the terms you are signing up to, so that you can adapt your own processes, train your teams accordingly and pass down responsibilities in your subcontracting arrangements.

A well-drafted contract protects your interests and puts you in a position of strength. We also support our clients in their negotiations, to help them make good judgements and decisions.

Please contact:

Ralph Riddiough
Finlay Swan

We provide clients with specialist company law advice in relation to all manner of corporate transactions, including share sales / purchase and business and asset deals. Share deals are often structured as management buy outs or buy ins, whether funded externally, by vendors or by a combination of both.

When seeking finance for growth, or seeking to invest in a company that is on a growth trajectory, we can guide you through the private placement / FMA regime.

Please contact:

Ralph Riddiough
Richard Leggett
Finlay Swan

Our commercial team routinely advise healthcare clients, including:

• Veterinary practitioners;

• Pharmacists;

• GPs;

• Dentists; and

• Opticians.

We are one of the business legal teams in Scotland in advising clients on transactions in these sectors.

We advise on buying and selling companies, partnership or shareholders’ agreements, applications to open new practices and internal disputes. We are happy to have a confidential discussion about your circumstances and how we can add value to your business enterprise.

Please contact:

Ralph Riddiough
Finlay Swan

Our corporate lawyers, and the solicitors right across our firm, regularly form part of a professional team supporting clients in relation to important transactions and projects, along with accountants, financial advisers, surveyors, mortgage and insurance brokers, engineers, architects and other professional consultants. As a result, our client base includes many such professional firms and their owners, including accountants, law firms, surveyors and other professional businesses to whom we provide the legal advice they require.

We act for such clients in relation to the preparation of partnership and shareholder agreements, succession issues and corporate structures.

In terms of corporate transactional work, we are regularly involved in the purchase and sale of such enterprises whether due to expansion by acquisition, exit on retirement or opportunities arising from market consolidation.

Please contact:

Ralph Riddiough
Richard Leggett

The advent of the UK GDPR in May 2018 gave enormous profile to the topic of data protection and this is an area of law where we regularly advise businesses, charities, educational institutions etc. Information about individuals is a vital asset for all businesses, whether relating to staff, clients, customers or suppliers.

We can assist you with:

• undertaking an audit of your information governance processes and standards;

• reporting on your governance processes and putting suitable policies in place, with appropriate training to ensure these are implemented effectively;

• the drafting and negotiation of data processing agreements, whether you are the data controller or the data processor;

• responding to subject access requests, particularly where there is surrounding contention or sensitivity, and representing you during any disputes or investigations arising;

• advising regulated bodies on freedom of information law;

• advising individuals on their rights; and

• defamation and the removal of material published unlawfully online.

Please contact:

Ralph Riddiough
Finlay Swan

Our Charity Law team is led by Ralph Riddiough who has considerable experience in this area advising on all aspects of life in the voluntary sector from day to day issues to strategic and constitutional matters.

We specialise in obtaining Charitable status in Scotland from The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator ("OSCR") and act for many Scottish charities, large and small, on matters including:

• Choice of legal structure

• Formation and Registration with OSCR or the Charity Commission in England and Wales

• Applications to OSCR for consent to Constitutional amendments or change in legal form

• Constitutional and regulatory issues

• Property Acquisition and Leasing

• Employment Law and Contract Negotiation