We are the largest firm of lawyers in Warwickshire. Our experience extends across a wide range of industries and commercial enterprises and we pride ourselves, not only on our legal expertise, but also on our ability to bring an objective, commercial view to the business operations. The following highlights some of the main services commonly required by inward investing companies.
Business Immigration
Our business immigration team can advise companies and individuals on all aspects of immigration and nationality law. The partner heading the team is ranked as a leading individual in this field by Chambers and Legal 500. Recent changes to immigration law mean that several categories of migrant workers have been re-classified and the business immigration team is perfectly placed to guide you through the new legislation.
We can help with the following:
Sponsorship under the new points-based system
Prevention of illegal working and avoidance of civil penalties
Tier 1 (general) highly skilled migrant and post study work applications
Tier 1 entrepreneurs and investors
Tier 2 sponsorship of skilled workers, sportspersons and entertainers
EEA residence permits including non-EEA family members
Worker Registration Scheme and work permits for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals
Indefinite leave to remain (permanent residence)
Naturalisation and registration as a British citizen
Marriage, fiancé, civil partnership and unmarried partner applications
Representatives of overseas companies
Working holidaymakers / Tier 5 youth mobility
Ancestry
Visa and entry clearance applications
Commercial property
Whether you are looking to establish an initial sales office, a full manufacturing facility or to acquire a local business in the region, our property team can provide you with the guidance to make the right choices and secure the right property. Our experience is available to you, whether you’re looking to:
take a lease or licence of a single office for a few months, and want reassurance the terms offered a fair and reasonable;
acquire by purchase or on lease an existing building, perhaps with bank funding, and need our full service to ensure the deal suits your business and provides all the facilities and security of occupation you need; or
create a new manufacturing facility on a green field or brown field site, from the ground up, with planning, environmental, construction, funding and ownership all critical matters
We are here to help and give you peace of mind with your business’s property needs – our team is ranked in the 2009 editions of both Legal 500 and Chambers, and commended in the latter for our “speedy and efficient approach – the lawyers always meet deadlines and return calls”.
If you are new to the region and planning to buy into an existing business, our property lawyers work with our corporate team to check out your target’s property and make sure it meets your needs: we can review every aspect of the property, or provide a tailored review to meet your needs.
Besides the transaction itself, our knowledge of the region and the local property market and our experience dealing with property – what works and what doesn’t – is only a phone call or email away, and as property documents often seem cryptic and archaic, we’re here to answer your questions, and to find solutions, whatever the issue.
Commercial
The term “commercial contracts” governs a broad range of transactions including outsourcing, procurements, logistics, supply chain management and distribution, franchising and supply of goods and services. Such diversity requires a dedicated team, a pragmatic approach and the ability to call upon industry specific experience. In particular the commercial team advises on:
procurements (including technology transactions);
outsourcing and the provision of managed services;
agency and distribution agreements;
logistics and supply chain management;
licensing agreements;
intellectual property – exploitation and protection;
e-commerce, media and internet based services;
joint ventures, strategic (partner) alliances;
regulatory compliance (including data protection/security and safety and environmental);
employment (including TUPE) and service contracts;
project finance and other funding arrangements;
standard terms and conditions (goods and/or services); and
contract management – best practice.
Construction
Our team of seven construction lawyers is one of the largest and experienced in the Midlands advising on all types of construction and engineering projects both domestically and internationally. We advise on both contentious and non-contentious matters including contract drafting and procurement, construction insurance and insolvency. We also advise on UK and international dispute resolution including arbitration, adjudication, court proceedings, expert determination, mediation and other forms of dispute resolution. We act for contractors, sub-contractors, surveyors, consulting engineers and architects, developers, funders and employers.
Corporate
We provide a full range of corporate (including banking and finance) services to UK and European companies in many sectors ranging from engineering and manufacturing, through technology and media to the service sector. We operate on a team basis providing commercially orientated advice to our clients on:
acquisitions, disposals and related corporate transactions;
joint venture and partnering arrangements;
inward investement by corporate clients from India, Europe and North America;
fundraisings (both debt and equity);
the range of financing transactions;and
company formations, share issues and general corporate advice
Employment
Our experienced employment team advises both employers and employees on all aspects of employment law, providing practical commercial solutions to all human resource issues. We pride ourselves on working closely with our clients in supporting them, so far as we can, to prevent issues arising and managing problems should they arise. Our experienced HR Consultant, Tina Cook, supports companies with various HR aspects of their business including recruitment and selection techniques and dealing with grievances and the disciplinary process. We work closely with our colleagues in commercial and corporate to ensure an all round service for our business clients
We can advise on the following:
- contentious and non-contentious matters, including tribunal representation where necessary
- Drafting and advising on employment contracts, service agreements and consultancy agreements
- Drafting policies and staff handbooks
- Advising on, assisting and effecting the termination of an employee's employment
- Advising on severance packages, undertaking the relevant negotiations for termination and preparing the relevant severance agreements
- Advising on discrimination claims
- Employment Tribunal hearings
- Bringing and defending claims
- Advising on restraint of trade
- Providing advice in relation to the restructuring of companies and redundancy
- Advising on TUPE issues
- Advising on disciplinary proceedings
- Human Resource support, in-house training delivered, lectures and seminars presented on topical issues
Licensing
Our licensing team provides legal and commercial advice on all licensing matters and makes substantive applications on the following:
- Premises Licences and Club Premises Certificate applications and variations;
- Temporary Event Notices;
- Personal Licence applications;
- Licensing appeals to the Magistrates’ Court;
- Appeals to the High Court by way of judicial review or case stated;
- Due diligence on property purchases and corporate transactions; and
- Personal Premises and Operating Licences under the Gambling Act 2005 – in particular, acting for Bookmakers.
