Selling a business as an asset sale

Yes, absolutely. This is a very common commercial arrangement and it is important to understand the distinction clearly because the legal, tax, and practical consequences are quite different depending on which route you take. The two main routes for selling a business: 1. Share sale: You sell the shares in the company. The buyer takes … Read more

Terminating freelancer contract for poor work

Ending a freelancer's contract for poor work: legal position and practical approach Whether you can end a freelancer's contract for poor quality work depends on several factors, primarily the terms of your contract with them and the nature and severity of the poor performance. The contractual position: The starting point is always the written contract … Read more

Key terms for freelancer contracts

This is a really important area to get right, because a well-drafted consultancy or freelance agreement protects both parties and reduces the risk of disputes, tax complications, and unexpected liabilities. Here is a structured guide to what you should include. Parties and status: Clearly identify both parties by full legal name and address. Include an … Read more

NDAs with buyers suppliers and contractors

This is a really important practical question, and the answer depends on the context, what information you are sharing, and how sensitive it is. General position: There is no blanket legal requirement to have a non-disclosure agreement in place before speaking to buyers, suppliers, or contractors. However, whether you should use one depends on what … Read more

Protecting confidential business information

Protecting confidential business information is an important area where several legal tools and practical measures work together. Here is a structured overview of the main options available under the law of England and Wales. What counts as confidential information: Confidential business information can include trade secrets, customer lists, pricing strategies, supplier terms, financial data, technical … Read more

Protecting a copied product idea

This is a common concern and the answer depends heavily on what exactly has been copied, what protection (if any) you have in place, and how the copying has occurred. Let me walk through the main areas. Understanding what can be protected: In England and Wales, a bare idea on its own is generally not … Read more

Defamation claim against another business

This is a well-recognised area of law and you potentially have several routes available to you. Let me set out the legal position and the practical considerations. Legal position: The primary cause of action for false claims made about a business is defamation, specifically libel if the statements are in writing or other permanent form, … Read more

Challenging a damaging online review

Removing or challenging a damaging online review is possible but the legal and practical position depends heavily on what the review actually says, whether it is true, and where it has been posted. Here is a structured overview of your options. The core legal distinction: The most important question is whether the review contains statements … Read more

Dealing with a fake negative review

Fake negative reviews can cause real commercial harm, so it is worth approaching this methodically. Here is the legal position and the practical steps you can take. Legal position: A genuinely fake review, meaning one that is fabricated or materially misleading, can give rise to several legal remedies in England and Wales. 1. Defamation. A … Read more

Supplier raising prices after agreed deal

This is a common commercial problem and the answer depends heavily on the specifics, particularly whether you have a binding contract and what its terms say. Let me walk through the key considerations. The core question: is there a binding contract? If you agreed a deal, the first thing to establish is whether a legally … Read more

Supplier terminating agreement without notice

This is an important question and the answer depends on several factors. Let me walk you through the legal position and the practical considerations. General legal position: Whether a supplier can terminate your agreement without notice depends primarily on what the contract itself says. The starting point is always the terms of the agreement between … Read more

Bank closing business account without notice

This is a common and often very stressful situation for business owners. The short answer is that yes, in most cases a bank can close a business account, but there are important nuances around notice, fairness, and your options. The legal and contractual position: The relationship between you and your bank is governed primarily by … Read more

Director’s loan account risks and issues

A director's loan account is a running record of money flowing between a company and one of its directors, outside of salary, dividends, or legitimate expense reimbursements. It tracks amounts the director owes the company and amounts the company owes the director. In simple terms, if you as a director take money out of the … Read more

Withdrawing funds from own company

This is a question that comes up very frequently, and the short answer is no, you cannot simply take money out of your company whenever you want. The company is a separate legal entity from you, even if you are the sole shareholder and sole director. This principle has been fundamental since Salomon v Salomon … Read more

Lending money to own company

Yes, you can lend money to your own company and have the company repay you later. This is a very common arrangement, particularly for owner-managed businesses, and it is perfectly lawful provided certain things are done properly. How it works: When you put personal money into your limited company, it creates what is known as … Read more