Further to an introduction from Forward Corporate Finance, Birkett Long LLP is delighted to have assisted Mark Shields, the majority owner of recruitment business Vantage Market Entry, on selling a stake to his management team. The transaction sees key...

If you’re looking to acquire a business, there are of course many things to consider. You may be looking to grow your existing business through an acquisition, or take a competitor out of the market by taking them over. Perhaps you want to diversify...

Employee Ownership Trusts have been around for a considerable time, yet they are only now gaining traction as a viable vehicle that allows owners of a company or a limited liability partnership (LLP) to exit in a managed way over a period of time. An EOT can...

Birkett Long advised on the sale of Kent Blaxill Holdings Limited - a long standing client of the firm - to PaintWell Limited, a Wirral-based paint distribution firm backed by private equity firm Cairngorm Capital Partners. Kent Blaxill has been a...

When it comes to running a company or being a company director, are you aware of your legal duties? Have you paid attention to the legal details and requirements clearly outlined in the Companies Act 2006 ? We understand that you may not be aware of every...

Family businesses can take decades, or even generations, to build successfully. But what happens when the owner(s) gets involved in a divorce? Philip Hoddell discusses the pitfalls and offers some advice on how to protect business assets. The existence...

As 2022 begins, what are the New Year's resolutions that you should be contemplating for your business? Whether it be growth, retirement or exit planning, or simply getting those terms and conditions up to date, we have lawyers who can help and advise...

So, you’re fortunate enough to own some land, and you wish to gift parts to your children. Maybe you’ve been sitting on a piece of land for some years, and are now looking to transfer into your company name, for redevelopment.  Or, you find...

As a business owner, it can often be difficult to decide how best to hand over the running of the company to future generations.  Not only is timing critical, the perception amongst suppliers, customers and employees, has to be taken into account....

Whether you operate your healthcare business as a sole trader, partnership, LLP or company there will always come a point where you need to consider your exit strategy. The need for succession planning might arise due to circumstances forced upon you, such...

When buying a business, whether by way of an asset or share deal, the process of due diligence is used to assist the buyer. This also raises detailed questions about the business about to be acquired.  This process assists the buyer to be comfortable...

Here at Birkett Long, we act for many different types of landlords and tenants. But, if this is your first time taking on a commercial property as the tenant, it can be quite daunting. Especially when trying to negotiate the Heads of Terms with a seasoned...

No matter which sector your business is in, or where it is located, we are all coming under pressure to carry on business in a more sustainable way. You may be finding pressure from your employees, your customers, those you contract with or, possibly, even...

What is a dividend? A dividend is a distribution of a company’s post-tax profits to its shareholders. For a company to be able to pay this lawfully, it must have sufficient distributable profits that are justified by reference to “relevant...

Birkett Long can trace its roots back to 1821, celebrating its 200 th anniversary this year. Statistics suggest that only about 0.5% of all companies achieve 100 years in business, so we are definitely doing something right!  About 30% of businesses...

A conformity mark (or certification mark) on a manufactured product indicates the manufacturer has verified compliance with accepted product standards or regulations.  Businesses need to use a conformity mark when placing certain goods in the UK...

If there is a risk, there is insurance… If there is a risk, there is often insurance out there willing to take on that risk by providing a policy of insurance. It has now become quite noticeable that Warranty and Indemnity Insurance (W&I...

We all know that it is better to plan things in order to avoid ending up somewhere we didn’t plan to be!  You need to get your business in the best possible shape for an exit – in whatever form that may take. Careful planning will: ...

Jonathan Perlmutter has recently joined Birkett Long as Head of Intellectual Property, having spent nearly 13 years at a firm of patent and trade mark attorneys, latterly heading up their London operations. Jonathan and his team provide us with the ability...

The number of online businesses is growing at an ever-increasing pace. This has led to a multitude of legal, regulatory and transparency requirements. I am often asked to review commercial contracts and notices for online businesses. Mostly, information...

Law firm, Birkett Long, has announced the appointment of Veronika Koenig-Roach as a solicitor in its Basildon office. Veronika advises on commercial and corporate law, but will also be specialising in technology and IP law. She has substantial experience in...

Crowdfunding typically involves a large volume of small donations in exchange for something, such as a prototype product (known as donation or reward crowdfunding).  But can crowdfunding be used to fund property purchases and, if so, what are the...

The 2016 JCT building contracts have been released over the past few months and the updated Standard Building Contract suite was released on 22 September 2016. This suite has now replaced the 2011 Standard Building Contracts and all subsequent amendments....

When entering into a contract parties often get so involved in negotiating terms that they fail to consider who the other party is and what they are worth.  Let’s say you are offered a £1 million contract on which you believe you can make a...

When a company is presented with a winding up petition it is not uncommon for the business to continue trading whilst the directors try to resolve the issue with the creditors concerned.  However, directors need to be aware of the implications of the...

Restraint of trade clauses appear in numerous contracts and are designed to protect a business by limiting competition with that business; this is usually achieved by restricting another business or individual from activity that would assist them to compete....

Essex law firm Birkett Long has been praised by client Runwood Homes after its specialist healthcare team advised on a deal that saw the Benfleet-based organisation buy three care homes in Northern Ireland, making national news there. Runwood Homes...

Birkett Long acted for the Partners of a GP Practice and their Bank (in connection with the financial arrangements) in relation to the retirement of a Partner. The work involved restructuring the GPs loans to newly appointed and continuing Partners who run...

Some clients have received advice that statutory books are not required for private companies and stock transfer forms (“STF”) are a thing of the past… however, this simply isn’t true! Statutory books can be hard copy or electronic...

If you sell goods, as part of your credit control arrangements your business to business terms and conditions should include a retention of title clause. Such a clause will assist in giving you priority over secured and unsecured creditors of your...

Simarco, one of the UK’s leading independent freight firms, has announced the completion of a deal to buy the Staffordshire-based operator, IFB, for an undisclosed sum. The deal is the latest stage in an expansion which has already seen Simarco grow...

Confidence has returned and local businesses are proving to be prime targets for purchasers who are ready to invest. Transactions, whether sale or purchase, have been continuous for the last 12 months. Buying From a legal perspective, when purchasing a...

The Coalition Government has taken to the idea of making us a nation that holds shares in our employers.  How likely is it that a major change will happen? George Osborne announced a scheme to the Conservative Party Conference by which staff will agree...

It is well known that the care home industry has endured a turbulent few years as a result of the worldwide economic downturn.  Purchases and sales have reduced as funding has become more difficult to obtain, while local authorities have been squeezing...

Birkett Long, the leading Essex law firm, has advised Fallow International Freight Limited, a freight forwarding specialist based in Romford, Essex, on the sale of a strategic stake in the business to CWT Globelink Pte Limited, the freight logistics arm of...

Tougher economic environments often see a greater amount of restructuring within businesses, including a demerger. There are a number of reasons why a company may want to demerge: - to unlock shareholder value (sometimes enabling an exit by one party); - to...

David Rayner, partner from Birkett Long’s Commercial Property Team discusses the “big themes” that are likely to affect commercial premises during 2012. From the perspective of both landlords/investors on the one hand and tenants/occupiers...

An ‘employee’ is provided with a statutory right to maternity leave, however, the same cannot be said for partners.  There is some legal protection provided for pregnant partners, as the Equality Act 2010 seeks to ensure they do not suffer...

It is an unquestionable fact that the revival of the UK economy will be dependent upon the success of our SMEs.  East Anglia boasts a higher percentage of SME businesses than other parts of the country, and the lawyers at Birkett Long LLP have been...

A recent professional negligence case involving law firm Mills & Reeve has highlighted the importance of ensuring clients are fully advised on the tax consequences of their business transaction. The case hinged on the tax implications of a management...

Birkett Long LLP acted for Craig and Pauline Wilson on the sale of their Drain Doctor franchise based in Harlow. Tracey Dickens assisted with the sale, which as with most franchises involved negotiations with the franchisor in addition to the purchaser. ...

Birkett Long LLP acted for Jayne Kennedy on the sale of the Franchise and related business of the Ipswich Snappy Snaps store. Tracey Dickens assisted with the Franchise and business sale and Melanie Yates assisted with the associated lease transfer...

Entering into and negotiating contracts can be a long and detailed process. Disagreements over what should or should not be included are common, with each party seeking to protect their position and level of liability. It is not surprising that on occasion...