Corporate lawyers

What services do our corporate solicitors provide?

From start-up through to investment, acquisition and sale, Stephensons’ focused team works with directors, shareholders and lenders to deliver local, accessible and knowledgeable services including:

• Asset sales and purchases
• Charity law
• Company corporate structures
• Corporate governance
• Due diligence
• Private equity investment & capital
• Management buy-out or management buy-in
• Mergers, acquisitions & disposals
• Preparing a business for sale
• Share sales and purchases
• Strategic transactions

Funding

Stephensons’ access to business financing and funding streams will support your corporate legal services. We’re happy to discuss alternative funding options, including insurance and external funding to help your transaction move forward.  

Recent case examples

• We acted for an existing client in drafting a time and performance EMI share scheme. This involved early liaising with the client’s tax advisor and existing directors and advising on the options for the client to adopt.  The aim was to incentivise and retain the management team. We then drafted scheme rules, the agreement, amended the articles and prepared advisory documents for the client’s current management team.
   
• Acting for a company in selling a controlling interest in the company to a newly formed Employee Ownership Trust. The client had an excellent team and was a good candidate for an EOT structure. Nevertheless we spent some time pre-instruction mapping out the work and agreeing a step by step approach.  The work included the share sale work, trust creation, protection of deferred consideration, amendments to the company articles and shareholders agreement and creation of new share classes.  
   
• Shareholders agreement: In this case, a client was acquiring the entire share capital of a target company and wished to retain the key personnel who were instrumental in the company's success. To ensure their continued involvement, the client structured a shareholders' agreement that granted minority shares to these key employees. The agreement outlined provisions to protect the client’s majority interest, while offering incentives for the retained personnel, including restricted share transfer provisions, non-compete clauses, and employment terms tied to their shareholding. This structure allowed the client to benefit from the team's expertise while aligning their interests with the long-term growth of the company.
   
• Commercial contracts: Our client required a hire agreement for the leasing of trailers to commercial clients. The agreement included terms specifying the duration of hire, payment schedules, and maintenance obligations to ensure the trailers remained in optimal condition. Additionally, liability and insurance clauses were incorporated to protect the client from potential risks and clarify the responsibilities of each party throughout the rental period

Why choose Stephensons as your corporate law firm

Choosing the right corporate law firm can make the difference between a deal that simply completes and one that truly delivers value. Stephensons brings a blend of commercial acumen and legal rigour to every instruction, acting as a trusted partner to owners, directors, investors and lenders across the UK. As a multi-award winning, SRA-regulated firm with the Law Society’s Lexcel quality mark, you can be confident that our systems, client care and risk management meet the highest professional standards. Our corporate solicitors combine technical excellence with pragmatic advice, working to clear timetables, removing friction from negotiations and keeping your objectives at the centre of every decision.

Our clients value an approach that is responsive, accessible and grounded in real-world experience. Whether you are preparing for investment, scaling through acquisition or planning an exit, our team anticipates issues early, coordinates the right specialist support across the firm and drives momentum to completion. We support businesses nationwide from offices in the North West and London, with the depth to handle complex, time-critical transactions and the agility to provide rapid, practical answers when you need them.

How our corporate lawyers deliver results

From the first scoping conversation to post-completion integration, our corporate lawyers map out the steps, stakeholders and documents required to hit your timeline. We focus on efficient due diligence, proportionate documentation and negotiation strategies that protect your position without over-lawyering. Where appropriate, we agree fixed or capped fees for defined scopes of work, provide weekly status updates and coordinate all parties to avoid unnecessary delays. With secure e-signing and virtual data rooms, we keep your transaction moving while minimising disruption to day-to-day operations.

End-to-end support for every stage of the corporate lifecycle

Businesses engage us at key stages of their lifecycle and return to us because we understand where they are heading next. We advise on early-stage structuring to support future investment, guide founder teams through angel and venture capital rounds, and act on management buy-outs and buy-ins, joint ventures and strategic mergers. Our corporate law solicitors also streamline group reorganisations and demergers, implement employee incentive schemes and steward clients through sales to trade buyers, private equity or employee ownership trusts. At every stage, we calibrate our advice to your risk appetite, sector dynamics and growth strategy.

Sectors we advise across the uk

Stephensons acts for owner-managed businesses, high-growth scale-ups, family enterprises and investor-backed companies across a broad range of sectors, including manufacturing, engineering, logistics, technology, healthcare, professional services and consumer brands. Our cross-disciplinary capability means your transaction benefits from integrated input on employment, commercial contracts, real estate, data protection and regulatory matters whenever those issues are critical to value or timing.

Frequently asked questions about corporate law solicitors

What does a corporate solicitor do and how is this different from a commercial lawyer

A corporate solicitor focuses on the ownership and structure of a business, advising on matters such as company formations, shareholders’ agreements, investments, mergers, acquisitions and disposals. A commercial lawyer concentrates on the day-to-day trading relationships of a business, such as supply, distribution and service agreements, terms and conditions and IP licensing. Many transactions require both, and Stephensons provides an integrated service so nothing falls between the gaps.

How long does a business sale or acquisition usually take

Timelines vary depending on deal complexity, sector regulation and the responsiveness of third parties. A straightforward share or asset sale can often complete in six to twelve weeks from heads of terms, while more complex or regulated deals may require several months. We set out a realistic timetable, identify critical path items early and work proactively with all parties to maintain momentum.

What information will buyers and investors expect during due diligence

Buyers and investors typically review corporate structure, contracts, customers and suppliers, financials, employees, IP, data protection, property and regulatory compliance. Preparing a well-organised virtual data room with clear indices and up-to-date documentation can reduce negotiation friction and protect price. Our corporate lawyers provide a due diligence readiness review so you present your business in the best possible light.

Do you act for both buyers and sellers

We act for buyers, sellers, management teams, investors and lenders. At the outset we confirm any potential conflicts and ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place. Our experience on both sides of the table helps us anticipate the other party’s priorities and negotiate efficiently.

Speak to our corporate lawyers

If you are planning an investment, acquisition, restructuring or exit, early advice can save time and preserve value. Speak to our corporate solicitors for clear, commercial guidance tailored to your goals by calling 0161 696 6170. We will outline your options, likely timelines and a fee structure that fits the scope of your project.