Corporate Legal Advice for Business Owners, Directors and Growing Companies

Every business faces important decisions throughout its life cycle, from formation and growth through to acquisition, restructuring or eventual sale. Whether you are starting up, buying an existing enterprise, bringing in investors, restructuring shareholdings or planning an exit strategy, obtaining the right legal advice can help protect your interests and support your long-term commercial objectives.

At CWJ, our Corporate Law team advises owner-managed businesses, SMEs, entrepreneurs, investors and established companies across London, Kent and the South East. We are known for delivering practical, commercially focused legal advice, tailored to the realities of running a business.

Our Corporate team is headed by Ben Madden, who is recognised by Chambers as a leading practitioner for corporate work involving SME and owner-managed businesses.

Key Corporate Law Services

We advise businesses, company directors, shareholders and investors on:

• Buying and selling businesses
• Company and LLP incorporations
• Shareholder agreements, investment agreements and joint ventures
• Corporate restructures
• Directors' duties and corporate governance
• Commercial agreements and contracts
• Partnership and LLP matters
• Banking and corporate finance
• Insolvency and business recovery
• Company secretarial services

Our Corporate Law team works with owner-managed businesses, SMEs, professional practices and growing companies, providing practical legal advice designed to support long-term commercial success.

Corporate Law Services

We advise businesses at every stage of their development, from start-ups and growing companies to established enterprises undergoing significant change.

Buying and Selling Businesses

Buying or selling a business is often one of the most significant transactions the owner of that business will undertake.

We advise on:

• Company and LLP incorporations and business start-ups
• Business sales
• Business acquisitions
• Share purchases
• Asset purchases
• Management buy-outs
• Management buy-ins
• Due diligence investigations
• Transaction structuring
• Business succession planning

Our objective is to help transactions progress smoothly while identifying and managing potential legal and commercial risks.

Shareholder Agreements and Joint Ventures

Clear ownership arrangements can help businesses avoid disputes and ensure all parties understand their rights and responsibilities.

We advise on:

• Shareholder agreements
• Investment agreements
• Business angel investments
• Joint venture agreements
• Minority shareholder protection
• Shareholder rights and obligations
• Exit provisions
• Business succession planning

Well-drafted agreements can provide clarity and stability as a business grows.

Corporate Restructuring

Business structures often evolve as companies expand, prepare for investment or respond to changing commercial circumstances.

We advise on:

• Group restructures
• Share restructures
• Corporate reorganisations
• Ownership restructuring
• Investment preparation
• Business succession arrangements

Our approach focuses on aligning legal structures with commercial objectives.

Directors' Advice and Corporate Governance

Company directors face a wide range of legal and regulatory responsibilities.

We provide advice on:

• Directors' duties
• Companies Act 2006 compliance
• Corporate governance
• Decision-making processes
• Shareholder relations
• Board matters

Our team works closely with directors to help them understand and manage their legal obligations.

Banking and Corporate Finance

Businesses often require legal support when raising finance, securing lending or restructuring borrowing arrangements.

We advise on:

• Corporate lending
• Security documentation
• Personal guarantees and other security arrangements
• Banking arrangements
• Refinancing
• Business funding transactions
• Corporate finance documentation

We work with businesses, lenders and investors to help transactions complete efficiently.

Company Secretarial Services

Maintaining compliance with company law obligations is an important part of running a company, with requirements having become more exacting in recent years.

We can assist with:

• Company secretarial support
• Statutory filings
• Corporate records
• Shareholder documentation
• Board resolutions
• Corporate governance procedures
• Liaising with other professional advisers

Insolvency and Business Recovery

Businesses facing financial difficulties often require practical legal advice at an early stage.

We advise on:

• Business restructuring
• Insolvency procedures
• Company voluntary arrangements
• Administrations
• Liquidations
• Acquisition of assets from administrators
• Directors' responsibilities during financial distress

Early legal advice can help identify options and minimise risks where financial challenges arise.

Commercial Agreements

Strong commercial agreements help businesses establish clear expectations, reduce risk and support long-term growth.

We advise on the preparation, review and negotiation of a wide range of commercial agreements including the following:

• Agency agreements
• Distribution agreements
• Franchise agreements
• Terms and conditions
• Supply agreements
• Service agreements
• Commercial contracts
• Bespoke commercial arrangements

By understanding your business objectives, we can help ensure agreements are practical, commercially effective and legally robust.

Partnership and LLP Advice

Professional partnerships and traditional partnerships often require specialist legal support throughout their lifecycle.

We advise on:

• Partnership agreements
• Partnership disputes
• Admission and retirement of partners
• Partnership restructuring
• Partnership sales and purchases
• Conversion to LLPs
• Dissolution and exit arrangements

We regularly advise professional practices, medical partnerships and other owner-managed businesses.

Why choose CWJ for corporate legal advice?

Our Corporate team works with businesses across a wide range of sectors and understands that legal advice must support commercial decision-making rather than delay it.

Clients choose us because we provide:

• Practical and commercial advice
• Partner-led service
• Strong experience with SME and owner-managed businesses
• Corporate and commercial expertise under one roof
• Close collaboration with our property, employment and dispute resolution teams
• Advice tailored to long-term business objectives

We focus on helping businesses complete transactions efficiently while protecting their commercial interests.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a corporate solicitor do?

A corporate solicitor advises businesses on matters such as company acquisitions, business sales, shareholder agreements, restructuring, investment transactions and corporate governance.

Can you help with buying or selling a business?

Yes. We advise on business sales, acquisitions, management buy-outs, due diligence and transaction structuring.

What is a shareholder agreement?

A shareholder agreement is a legal document that sets out the rights, responsibilities and expectations of directors and shareholders.

Do small businesses need corporate legal advice?

Yes. Corporate legal advice can help businesses manage growth, protect ownership structures, reduce risk and prepare for future transactions.

Can you advise directors on their legal responsibilities?

Yes. We regularly advise company directors on their duties, governance obligations and decision-making responsibilities.

Do you advise on commercial contracts as well as corporate transactions?

Yes. Our team advises on a wide range of commercial agreements including agency, distribution, franchise and supply arrangements.

Can you highlight work that you have undertaken?

See here for a link to recent tombstones and testimonials from clients, highlighting past transactions.

Speak to our Corporate Law Solicitors in Orpington

Whether you are buying a business, selling a company, restructuring ownership arrangements or seeking ongoing corporate legal support, our experienced Corporate Law team can help.

Complete our Online Enquiry Form or contact our Corporate Team to discuss your requirements and obtain practical, commercially focused legal advice.