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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Startups & SME Advice, Commercial Law, Commercial Litigation Margherita Barbagallo Startups & SME Advice, Commercial Law, Commercial Litigation Margherita Barbagallo

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.

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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!).

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Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Intellectual Property Margherita Barbagallo Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Intellectual Property Margherita Barbagallo

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.

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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.

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Commercial Law, Human Resources, Employment Law Cacy Neilson Commercial Law, Human Resources, Employment Law Cacy Neilson

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.

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Commercial Law Vignes Rajagopal Commercial Law Vignes Rajagopal

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.

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Commercial Law, Corporate Strategy Vignes Rajagopal Commercial Law, Corporate Strategy Vignes Rajagopal

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.

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Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Employment Law Vignes Rajagopal Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Employment Law Vignes Rajagopal

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.

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Corporate Strategy, Commercial Law, Human Resources Vignes Rajagopal Corporate Strategy, Commercial Law, Human Resources Vignes Rajagopal

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.

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