Corporate Legal Advice

Are you confident your business is fully protected and positioned for growth? At Mascot, we provide clear, practical advice to help you make the right decisions, manage risk, and achieve your commercial goals.

Whether you are setting up, reviewing contracts, expanding, seeking investment, or navigating complex transactions, we focus on what matters to you, your business, your opportunities, and your peace of mind.

We ensure your contracts are watertight, your structure is strong, and your compliance is secure, so you can focus on running and growing your business with confidence.

Get in touch today for trusted, client-focused corporate legal advice tailored to your business.

Our Services

We advise clients across a wide range of industries on matters

Business Formation and Structuring

Commercial Contracts

Shareholder and Partnership Agreements

Mergers, Acquisitions & Restructuring

Corporate Governance & Compliance

Dispute
Resolution

Supporting You as You Grow

Our relationship does not end at launch. At Mascot we offer ongoing legal support for commercial contracts, employment matters, and long-term planning, so your legal foundations grow with your business.

Starting a Business?

Starting a business is an exciting step, but it comes with important legal decisions that can affect your success from day one. Our team provides clear, practical legal advice to help you launch your business with confidence.

How We Can Help

We guide entrepreneurs, start-ups, and growing businesses through every stage of formation

We help you choose the right legal structure, handle all registration requirements, and put clear management and ownership arrangements in place. With lawyers qualified in multiple jurisdictions, we can also advise on cross-border structures and international compliance, giving your business a strong foundation at home and abroad.

From day one, our focus is on making company formation simple, secure, and tailored to your needs—so you can focus on growing your business with confidence.

We handle all the technical details, so you can focus on your business. From Companies House registration to drafting articles of association and shareholder agreements, we make sure everything is accurate, compliant, and tailored to your needs.

Our documents protect your ownership, clarify decision-making, and set clear rules for how your business operates, giving you certainty from day one. With the legal complexities taken care of, you can launch and grow your company with confidence.

We make sure your business starts with a name you can truly own. Before you launch, we check that your trading name is available and advise on trademark protection to safeguard your brand from the outset. By securing your name and trademarks early, we help prevent costly disputes, protect your reputation, and ensure your business stands out in the market. Our guidance is tailored to your goals, whether you’re building a local business or planning for international growth, giving you confidence that your brand is legally protected and ready to thrive.

With this support, you can focus on growing your business, knowing your name, identity, and brand are fully safeguarded

We help founders start on the right footing. A founder’s agreement clearly sets out roles, responsibilities, and ownership between co-founders and investors, preventing disputes before they arise. We will draft agreements to cover equity splits, decision-making, contributions, and exit plans, tailored to your business so everyone is aligned from day one. With this in place, you can focus on growing your company with confidence, knowing your relationships and ownership are secure.

We will draft clear, comprehensive terms and conditions tailored to your business, ensuring your products or services are protected whether you are trading online or in person. Our terms set out exactly how your business operates, covering payment, delivery, returns, liability, and dispute resolution, so your customers know what to expect, and your business is legally safeguarded. By making complex legal requirements simple and understandable, we help you reduce risk, avoid disputes, and build trust with your clients.

Whether you are launching a new product, offering a service, or running an e-commerce platform, we ensure your terms are fully compliant, reflect your business model, and give you confidence that your operations are protected from day one.

We help you navigate the legal and regulatory requirements that matter most to your business, so you can operate confidently and without disruption. Whether it is obtaining the right licenses, ensuring GDPR compliance, meeting tax obligations, or adhering to industry-specific rules, we make sure your business meets every requirement from day one. Our team will work with you to simplify complex regulations, reduce risk, and implement practical solutions tailored to your operations. This allows you to focus on growing your business, knowing that your legal and regulatory obligations are fully managed and your business is protected.

Legal Support for Business Sales and Acquisitions

We act for buyers and sellers across a wide range of sectors

We help you get negotiations off to a strong start with carefully drafted Heads of Terms. These documents clearly set out the key points of any proposed deal, such as roles, responsibilities, financial terms, and timelines, so everyone is aligned before detailed contracts are drafted. By establishing expectations early, Heads of Terms reduce the risk of misunderstandings, save time, and give you a clear roadmap for the next steps. Whether you’re planning a partnership, investment, or commercial agreement, we tailor the terms to protect your interests and give you confidence as negotiations progress.

With precise, client-focused Heads of Terms, you can move forward with clarity, control, and peace of mind.

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When buying, selling, or investing in a business, knowing every legal detail matters. We conduct or respond to legal due diligence, reviewing contracts, liabilities, employees, intellectual property, and compliance to give you a clear picture of risks and opportunities. Our client-focused approach highlights issues early, protects your interests, and ensures transactions run smoothly. Whether you are providing information or assessing a target, we handle the process efficiently, minimising disruption and giving you confidence to make informed business decisions.

We will help you negotiate and draft Sales and Purchase Agreements that protect your business and give you confidence in every transaction. From pricing and warranties to indemnities and restrictive covenants, we ensure every clause is clear, enforceable, and tailored to your deal. Our client-focused approach safeguards your interests, manages risk, and sets out responsibilities so that both parties are aligned from the outset. With a well-drafted agreement in place, you can complete transactions smoothly and focus on growing your business.

When selling your business, choosing the right structure, asset sale or share sale, can have a big impact on your outcome. We help you understand the legal and tax implications of each option, taking into account liabilities, contracts, employees, and ownership.

Our client-focused advice ensures you can make an informed decision that maximises value, minimises risk, and protects your interests throughout the transaction.

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We help you manage employment matters smoothly, both domestically and across borders, during any business transaction. Whether it is handling employee transfers under TUPE, managing redundancies, or drafting new employment contracts, our solicitors ensure compliance with local and international employment laws.

By addressing these issues early and clearly, we minimise risk, prevent disputes, and provide certainty for your business and your employees, allowing you to complete transactions confidently, no matter where your workforce is based.

We guide you through the final stages of a transaction, managing all legal formalities at completion so everything is handled accurately and efficiently. From signing agreements to ensuring all conditions are met, we make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

After completion, we continue to support you with post-sale matters, including registrations, filings, and any other legal requirements, helping to ensure a seamless transition. Our client-focused approach gives you confidence that nothing is overlooked, so you can focus on moving forward with your business or investment

Buying and Selling a Business

Whether you are looking to sell a business you have built or acquire a new venture, expert legal advice is essential at every stage of the transaction.

Our team offers clear, commercial guidance to help you manage risk, protect your interests, and complete deals with confidence.

Shareholders Agreement

A shareholders’ agreement is essential for setting clear expectations between business owners, protecting individual interests, and preventing future disputes.

Whether you are launching a new company or restructuring an existing one, we provide tailored legal advice to help you put the right agreement in place.

Why You Need a Shareholders’ Agreement

Unlike a company’s articles of association, a shareholders’ agreement is a private, legally binding contract that sets out how the company will be owned, managed, and operated.

 

We help you take control of your business by defining how shares are held, transferred, and valued. A clear ownership structure protects your interests, prevents disputes, and ensures your rights are secure, giving you confidence to grow and manage your company with certainty.

 

We help you set clear rules for how your business is run. By outlining which decisions require unanimous consent, which can be decided by a majority vote, and what powers directors hold day-to-day, we ensure your business operates smoothly and your interests are protected.

With a well-defined framework, you and your co-owners can act confidently, knowing every vote, decision, and director action is structured to safeguard the business and support its growth.

We help you define each shareholder’s role in the business, so everyone knows what’s expected from day one. By clarifying responsibilities, decision-making authority, and levels of involvement, we ensure that each shareholder’s contribution is clear and aligned with the company’s goals.

This approach protects your interests, prevents misunderstandings, and allows you to run your business confidently, knowing that everyone’s role and obligations are agreed and structured to support growth and success.

We help you put clear rules in place for how and when profits are shared among shareholders. By defining dividend policies and linking them to responsibilities and contributions, we ensure everyone knows what to expect and when.

This clarity protects your interests, prevents disputes, and gives you confidence that profits are distributed fairly while each shareholder’s role and obligations are respected, so your business can grow smoothly and sustainably.

We help you plan by agreeing on what happens if a shareholder wants to leave, sell their shares, or become unable to continue. By setting out clear exit strategies and share transfer rules, we protect your interests and ensure the business can continue smoothly.

With these arrangements in place, you can move forward with confidence, knowing that ownership changes are handled fairly, disputes are minimised, and the long-term stability and growth of your business are safeguarded.

Our experts will help you put mechanisms in place to resolve disagreements efficiently, without disrupting your business. By agreeing in advance on how disputes will be handled, whether through negotiation, mediation, or other processes, you can protect your interests and maintain strong working relationships.

With a clear dispute resolution framework, you can address issues quickly and fairly, minimising risk, avoiding costly conflicts, and keeping your business running smoothly and confidently.

What Is a Partnership Agreement?

A partnership agreement is a legally binding document that sets out how a business partnership will operate. Without one, your partnership will be governed by default legal rules (such as the Partnership Act 1890), which may not reflect your intentions or be fit for modern business needs.

What Should Be Included?

We tailor every agreement to suit your specific business goals and structure.

Each partner will make an initial capital contribution, and it’s important to understand how much each partner is investing and how any future contributions will be managed. This ensures clarity and fairness as the business grows

Understanding how profits and losses are allocated between partners is essential for fairness and transparency. This approach ensures that everyone is aware of their financial responsibilities and entitlements as the business grows.

It’s important to clearly define who does what within the business. This ensures each partner knows their responsibilities, how involved they need to be, and how they contribute to the company’s success.

Outlining voting rights, management responsibilities, and how disagreements are resolved provides transparency and ensures that all partners have a clear framework for making decisions and addressing conflicts

It’s important to have a clear process for bringing in new partners and managing situations where a partner leaves, retires, or passes away. This ensures continuity of the business and fairness for everyone involved.

Protecting the business from competition by former partners helps secure the company’s future, ensuring that everyone’s efforts and investments are safeguarded.

Partnership Agreements

Starting a business with others? A well-drafted partnership agreement is essential to protect your interests, clarify responsibilities, and prevent costly disputes. We help business partners set out clear terms from day one, so your partnership is built on strong legal foundations.

Why Partnership Agreements Matters?

A clear agreement helps avoid misunderstandings, reduces the risk of conflict, and gives you a solid framework to grow your business with confidence. Whether you're forming a new partnership or formalising an existing one, we can help.

Corporate Governance and Compliance

At Mascot, we understand that strong corporate governance and robust compliance frameworks are essential to maintaining integrity, accountability, and long-term business success. Our firm advises companies, boards, and executives on implementing effective governance structures and meeting their legal and regulatory obligations.

We provide practical, strategic guidance on all aspects of corporate governance — from board composition, executive remuneration and directors’ duties to risk management, internal controls, and stakeholder engagement. Our solicitors and consultants work closely with clients to develop governance frameworks that reflect best practice, promote transparency, and protect the interests of shareholders and stakeholders alike.

In today’s increasingly complex regulatory environment, we also assist clients in establishing and maintaining compliance programs tailored to their industry and jurisdiction. This includes anti-bribery and corruption policies, data protection and privacy compliance, ESG reporting, and regulatory investigations. Whether advising start-ups, small to medium size companies, or multinationals, our goal is to help you navigate regulatory challenges, mitigate risk, and foster a culture of compliance that supports sustainable growth.

Our services include

We help you run your business with confidence. Our corporate governance audits review your processes, policies, and structures to ensure compliance, reduce risk, and improve efficiency.

Our advisory services provide practical guidance on board responsibilities, decision-making, and shareholder relations, helping you implement governance that protects your business and supports growth.

With our expertise, your company operates smoothly, transparently, and with a framework built for success.

We help directors and officers understand their responsibilities and protect themselves from personal risk. By clarifying legal duties, decision-making obligations, and potential liabilities, we ensure you can act confidently while safeguarding both yourself and the business.

Our client-focused guidance helps you navigate complex compliance requirements, make informed decisions, and manage risk effectively, giving you peace of mind that your actions are legally sound and your business is protected

Creating the right executive remuneration package is about more than just pay; it is about motivating and retaining the people who drive your business forward while protecting your interests. From salaries and bonuses to equity incentives and benefits, every element can be tailored to be fair, clear, and aligned with your company’s goals.

By setting out a transparent and balanced approach, executives understand what’s expected and rewarded, and the business can grow with confidence. With the right framework in place, you can reward performance, manage risk, and keep your team motivated, all without uncertainty or confusion.

Clear and well-defined shareholders’ rights give you confidence and control over your investment in the business. These rights cover decision-making, voting, dividends, information access, and protections in the event of a sale or exit.

By setting expectations from the start, shareholders know how their interests are protected, how decisions are made, and how their voice is heard. This clarity reduces the risk of disputes, strengthens trust among owners, and ensures the business can grow smoothly while respecting everyone’s rights

A strong compliance framework is the backbone of a well-run business. It ensures your company meets regulatory obligations, manages risk, and operates with integrity. Clear policies guide key areas such as data protection, anti-bribery, health and safety, and industry-specific regulations.

With robust frameworks in place, employees and management understand their responsibilities, potential risks are reduced, and the business can operate confidently. Clear policies also demonstrate to regulators, partners, and stakeholders that your company is committed to transparency, accountability, and good governance.

Strong ESG and sustainability governance help your business grow responsibly while protecting its reputation and long-term value. Clear policies and frameworks ensure you meet environmental, social, and governance obligations, manage risks, and demonstrate your commitment to stakeholders, investors, and customers.

As solicitors, we can guide you through every step by drafting ESG policies, reviewing governance frameworks, and ensuring compliance with current regulations. We provide practical, client-focused advice to embed ESG into your decision-making and operations, helping your business operate sustainably, manage risk, and create lasting value with confidence.

Protecting your business from bribery, corruption, and unethical practices is essential for trust, compliance, and long-term success. Clear systems and policies ensure employees know their responsibilities, risks are managed, and concerns can be raised safely and effectively.

As solicitors, we can help design, implement, and review anti-bribery, anti-corruption, and whistleblowing frameworks tailored to your business. From drafting policies to providing practical guidance on compliance and reporting, we make sure your systems are robust, legally sound, and effective—so you can operate with integrity and confidence.

Protecting your business from bribery, corruption, and unethical practices is essential for trust, compliance, and long-term success. Clear systems and policies ensure employees know their responsibilities, risks are managed, and concerns can be raised safely and effectively.

As solicitors, we can help design, implement, and review anti-bribery, anti-corruption, and whistleblowing frameworks tailored to your business. From drafting policies to providing practical guidance on compliance and reporting, we make sure your systems are robust, legally sound, and effective—so you can operate with integrity and confidence.

Strong governance starts with a well-informed board. Tailored training and compliance workshops ensure directors and senior management understand their responsibilities, legal obligations, and best practices in decision-making.

As solicitors, we design and deliver practical, client-focused sessions that cover key areas such as regulatory compliance, risk management, ESG, and corporate governance. By equipping your board with the right knowledge, we help your business operate confidently, make informed decisions, and maintain compliance across all levels of leadership

Our approach is proactive, commercial, and always aligned with your strategic objectives. We don’t just help organisations meet their legal and regulatory obligations; we work with you to build strong governance, ethical leadership, and practical frameworks that support growth, minimise risk, and create lasting value. By combining legal expertise with a clear focus on your business goals, we ensure governance and compliance are not just box-ticking exercises, but tools that help your organisation thrive with confidence and integrity

How can we help with dispute Resolution

We combine strong advocacy with commercial and personal sensitivity. Our lawyers understand that every dispute is unique, and so is our approach. Whether a matter requires decisive courtroom action or careful negotiation, we are committed to resolving it efficiently, less costly and effectively.

From London to Lagos, Brussels to Nairobi, we provide strategic advice grounded in local insight and international experience — helping clients move forward with confidence and peace of mind.

For businesses and organisations, our services include:

  • Commercial and contractual disputes
  • Shareholder, partnership, and joint venture disputes
  • Corporate governance and director liability claims
  • Employment and workplace disputes
  • Regulatory and compliance investigations
  • Cross-border and multi-jurisdictional matters
  • Arbitration, mediation, and other ADR processes
  • Enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards

For businesses and organisations, our services include:

  • Family and matrimonial disputes, including financial and child arrangements
  • Property and inheritance disputes
  • Professional negligence and breach of trust claims
  • Employment, discrimination, and workplace issues
  • Defamation and reputation management

Dispute Resolution

Disputes, whether commercial or personal can be challenging, time-consuming, emotionally taxing and costly. At Mascot, we help clients across the resolve conflicts with clarity, strategy, and discretion. Our Dispute Resolution team acts for businesses, institutions, and individuals in a wide range of disputes. We focus on achieving practical, cost-effective outcomes that protect our clients’ interests and relationships while minimising disruption. We are experienced in all major forms of dispute resolution, including litigation, arbitration, mediation, and negotiation and tailor our approach to each situation. Whether the goal is early settlement or robust representation in court, we work closely with clients to determine the best path forward.

Why Choose Us?

Experienced Transaction Lawyers

Business sales and acquisitions can be complex and time-sensitive, with many important details to manage. We help you navigate the process with clear guidance and responsive support, ensuring your interests are protected throughout the transaction

End-to-End
Support

From the first discussions to the completion of the transaction, we work alongside you to ensure everything moves forward with clarity and confidence

Tailored Advice

Buying or selling a business is rarely straightforward, and every deal is different. We guide you through the process from start to finish, offering commercially focused advice and practical support to help you achieve your goals with confidence

Book an Appointment — Anytime, Anywhere

Get in touch with our solicitors today for clear advice and expert support, or connect through your preferred communication method. You can also call us on 02080 752 860