How our small business lawyers can help
Starting a business is an exciting step, but it can also feel a little overwhelming. The world of business law can be complex, especially in the early days of a start-up journey. That’s where the right legal support can make all the difference. A Lawhive solicitor is here to help you get it right from the start. Here’s how:
Company registration | Starting a business? You’ll need to register with HMRC - and sometimes Companies House. Our solicitors can guide you through the registration process and ensure you meet all the legal requirements. |
Contract reviews | Contracts are the backbone of any business. Our lawyers can help you draft and review business contracts, service contracts, commercial leases, franchise agreements, NDAs, patent applications and more. They’ll give you expert advice to reduce risks, protect your interests, and avoid potential disputes. |
Employment law | As your small business grows, you might need to hire employees or work with independent contractors like consultants or freelancers. Our team can help you understand your obligations regarding employment law, your obligations and potential legal penalties for misconduct. |
Small business tax and finance | No matter the size of your business, you’ll likely need to pay taxes whether that’s income tax, corporation tax or VAT. With expert legal advice, you can understand your tax liability, find ways to reduce it, and manage any business debts. |
Dispute resolution | Disputes in business are sometimes inevitable. Our business lawyers can advise on effective solutions like mediation and arbitration. However, sometimes litigation (going to court) is unavoidable. Your solicitor can represent you and guide you through the full legal proceedings. |
Intellectual property and trademark | Your logo, designs, or unique ideas - your intellectual property (IP) - are valuable assets. Our IP lawyers can help you protect them, address risks, and take action if someone infringes on your rights. |
Regulatory compliance | Most businesses need to follow industry-specific regulations, from GDPR to health and safety laws. Our solicitors can ensure your business is compliant, whether it’s handling customer data or obtaining the right licences and permits. |
Commercial property | If your business needs premises, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re buying, selling, or leasing commercial property, our licensed solicitors can guide you through the process with expert advice. |
How much does a business solicitor cost?
The price of a small business lawyer in the UK will vary widely depending on your case and its complexity. With Lawhive, independent legal advice on a transaction can be as little as £199. And less substantial tasks like drafting a GDPR policy can even be as little as £149.
To get started, tell us about your case and we'll connect you with some of the best, most experienced small business solicitors in the UK. You'll get a transparent fixed-fee quote for any work or advice you might need with no obligation to commit.
Why use Lawhive for legal advice?
Whether you’re drafting contracts, protecting your intellectual property, or navigating regulations, we’ll connect you with a solicitor who truly understands your business. Here’s why we’re a smarter choice than the traditional route:
SME expertise: Small businesses face unique legal hurdles, and our solicitors are experts at tackling them. From employment law to tax advice, you’ll work with someone who speaks your language and knows the ins and outs of your industry.
Upfront pricing: Say goodbye to confusing legal bills. We keep it transparent with fixed pricing that gives you total clarity - no hourly rates, no guesswork and no hidden fees.
Fast legal advice for business owners: Time matters when you’re running a business. That’s why we aim to connect you with a dedicated small business lawyer within two working days. No long delays, just a quick and efficient service to keep your business moving.
Affordable prices: On average, we're up to 50% more affordable than a high-street law firm. You'll get high-quality start-up and SME help, for less.
How we vet our expert lawyers
Finding the right solicitor for your small business is critical to getting the basics right. Before we work with any solicitor, our Legal Assessment team do a thorough background check. They ensure that the person is credible and qualified and check how long they've been practising and if they have consistently positive client reviews. Here's what we look for at a minimum:
Years of experience: We look for solicitors who have years of extensive experience in small business and startup matters. Ideally, they'll be hyper-specialised in specific areas such as business law, commercial contracts, and intellectual property are invaluable. Some of our team have 10+ years of industry experience under their belts.
Reputation and reviews: We check a solicitor's reputation by collating dozens of client reviews and seeking recommendations from entrepreneurs. We also check the solicitor's track record on the SRA roll - if they have a record of consistent positive feedback, then they make the cut.
Fully qualified: We make sure that our start-up lawyers have years of focused experience, each holding a law degree, passing required exams like the SQE, and completing up to 8 years of specialised training.
