Startups and SMEs face many challenges - make sure you know how to overcome them by exploring our blogs for the latest news and insights across a range of accountancy and legal topics.
- (S)EIS Tax Relief
- Accountancy Best Practice
- Art and Luxury Assets
- Business Immigration
- Commercial Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Corporate Law
- Corporate Strategy
- EMI Share Option Scheme
- ESG Compliance
- Employment Law
- Fundraising Strategy
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- Merger and Acquisition
- NFTs and Digital Trading
- R&D Tax Credits
- Startups & SME Advice
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Staying Compliant: A Startup Founder's Guide to New Company Laws
New UK regulations aim for a cleaner business landscape. These changes mean stricter ID checks, physical addresses & a focus on lawful activities for startups. Companies House gains new powers to enforce these rules, with potential penalties for non-compliance.
What happens to a shareholder's shares when they die
When a shareholder dies, their shares are dealt with by the executors of their estate (if there is a will) or by the administrators under the Intestacy Rules (if there is no valid will). Both the executors and administrators are known as ‘personal representatives’ (PRs). Partner and Head of Private Client James McMullan of West End Law Firm RIAA Barker Gillette, looks at what happens to a shareholder's shares when they die.
Protecting your business should you lose mental capacity
What happens when a business owner’s mental health takes a downturn? Who can assist with business decisions in their absence? In today’s article our strategic partner RIAA Barker Gillette UK’s Partner & Head of Private Client, James McMullan looks at how business owners can protect their business interests, should they lose mental capacity.
A Four Stage Guide to Opening an Art Gallery in the UK
Art galleries are a key part of the cultural scene in the UK. This guide aims to provide you with an insight into the key legal considerations to bear in mind before embarking on your art gallery venture.
The New Fixed Costs Regime: What to Know
The Fixed Recoverable Costs regime is undergoing significant changes, taking effect from 1 October 2023. Here are some key takeaways to help you understand the implications, which may change the stance your business takes with civil ligation claims.
Are you considering a Management Buyout?
A management buyout (an MBO) can be a big decision for everyone involved and the structure of an MBO is likely to be very complex. This article sheds some light on MBOs and what you need to consider before committing to such a transaction.
The key aspects to consider before acquiring a franchise
Are you planning to acquire a franchise in the UK? In this article, we cover the key aspects to consider before acquiring a franchise.
Mergers and Acquisitions Transaction FAQs
In this week’s newsletter Dragon Argent are sharing quick-fire answers to some of the most common questions we receive from business owners when they begin to plan an exit from their company. Typically, these transactions fall into the category of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and for someone exiting a business, specifically sell side M&A. Our Head of Corporate & Commercial Law, Freddie-Nicole Brace provides the answers.
Alternative Dispute Resolution for SMEs
Business disputes are unavoidable and it’s for this reason that Dragon Argent are delighted to introduce our new Head of Commercial Litigation, Margherita Barbagallo and she have shared some thoughts about why she feels it is so important for founders to focus on resolving disputes rather than using the court system.
Game Creators: Legal and Practical Considerations
In this week’s newsletter, Dragon Argent covers some key legal and practical considerations for anyone looking to set up an indie game studio (with particular thanks to our new Corporate & Commercial Solicitor Jamie Thornton for providing the expert analysis!).
How to legally protect your business from Co-founder disputes?
In this week’s newsletter, Dragon Argent corporate lawyers provide advice on how to legally protect your startup business from co-founder disputes or managing the exit of a founder.
Dealing with Copyright Infringement
“All my ideas are stolen anyway”, as once said by acclaimed British artist Damien Hirst. We see this time and again – an artist using an existing work, without that original creator’s authorisation, as the basis for their artwork. This is the subject of this week’s newsletter.
The Impact of New Legislation on B2C Business Model
If you have a B2C model, there is a new directive amending consumer legislation that it’s very important to be aware of. This legislation will impact the terms business include in consumer facing agreements like services agreements and terms and conditions. Learn more.
The Key to Successful SaaS Agreements
In this week’s newsletter, Dragon Argent take an in-depth look at a foundational document for tech-based businesses – the SaaS agreement - and share our top tips for its role in the growth journey of a startup.
Equity Incentives for Employees: Explained
One of the most common challenges that early-stage businesses face is how best to recruit and incentivize talent at a time when funds are tight. According to James Kearns, Dragon Argent’s Head of Legal, there are a few key things to consider when incentivizing your employees.
The Importance of Employee Status for Employers
Drivers who make deliveries for Amazon have begun a legal process against the tech giant claiming they are not self-employed and should be classed as employees, or at the least workers, and given employment rights. In this week’s newsletter, Dragon Argent investigates this matter and the impacts these actions might have on SMEs.
Duties of a Company Director
If you have registered a limited company or are planning to set up a new limited company, you are obligated to register that company with Companies House, the United Kingdom’s registrar of companies. By doing this, you will become a company director and as such, take on legal obligations to both the limited company, which is a legal entity in its own right and Companies House.
The Secret to SaaS Agreements
It is obvious to say that many startups are enabled by developments or innovations in technology and this in turn results in this technology being sold as software as a service (SaaS). Due to this trend, at Dragon Argent we are drafting and negotiating more and more SaaS agreements for clients to protect their intellectual property and commercial interests.
Resolving Disputes in Owner-Operated Businesses
It is unfortunate but inevitable that businesses will become involved in disputes at some point in their lifecycle. This can happen at any stage from startup through to exit. Here, Dragon Argent share our experience of how owner operators can resolve disputes as quickly and cost effectively as possible, minimising disruption to their business.
Three Ways to Prepare for Brexit
The UK's post-Brexit transition period ends in January 2021. The deadline for agreeing a deal with the EU is December and with little progress apparent in negotiations, small business owners and SMEs could understandably be concerned. Here we provide some practical advice on what small businesses should be doing to prepare in three key areas.