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Our Resolve. Your Resolution.
Whatever size or type of business you are, we can offer expert advice on corporate issues that is as commercially robust as it is legally sound.
We are experienced in providing corporate advice to all types of businesses, including plc’s, limited companies, partnerships and sole traders. We also advise organisations in the charity and voluntary sectors, particularly those with trading subsidiaries.
The quality of our advice in corporate and commercial law is independently recognised by The Legal 500.
Testimonials published in The Legal 500 (2025 edition):
‘The team at Harrowells are a perfect size. Big enough to have the coverage and expertise we need, but small enough for us to feel we know all involved and that we are an important client.’
‘Matthew Rowley was exceptional and a real pleasure to work with. I would recommend him without hesitation.’
Complex buy-in negotiated to boost sale value of niche professional services business
We acted for the seller of a niche professional services business that required negotiation and agreement of a complex buy-in. This has enabled external investment and expertise to be brought into the business to leverage commercial potential and so boost the eventual consideration for the seller. The investment included future options to purchase an increased shareholding percentage with complex considerations around triggers for the option to be exercised and the valuation of the additional sale shares based on future growth.
De-merger of existing partnership involving complex share-for-share exchange
We advised on the de-merger of a high value, large scale partnership which required a complex share-for-share exchange together with significant renegotiation of multiple contractual arrangements with international customers and suppliers due to change of control provisions.
Complex share-for-share and asset transfers to facilitate exit from business partnership
We advised an established haulage business on a share-for-share exchange between partners to facilitate the amicable exit of one party whilst securing the future of the trading business. Given the significance of property assets within the partnership, the agreement relied heavily on deferred consideration and security, which added to the complexity of the negotiations.
Advised on the creation of a UK agent network for an Asian medical device manufacturer
We acted for the manufacturer of specialist cardiovascular medical devices, headquartered in Asia and with subsidiary companies across Europe, looking to outsource their in-house UK sales function. We advised on the management of IP and NHS purchasing requirements, created templates for the recruitment of agents, allowing our client to reduce overheads and gain flexibility in growing their sales network.
Developing an understanding of your organisation and its aims are crucial in providing appropriate advice, which we always put into a wider, commercial context.
We can advise on:
Whilst many of our clients are based within our Yorkshire heartland, many are not. We have a reputation for delivering highly responsive and pragmatic advice, whatever your location.
If you are based more locally, you can meet with our company lawyers at any of our offices in York and across Yorkshire, so simply contact your nearest Harrowells office in York, St Saviourgate, Clifton Moor, Easingwold, Haxby, Pocklington, Malton, and Thirsk.
Long-overdue reform for 70-year-old business leasehold legislation
In March 2023, the Law Commission announced that it will review the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (the Act). The mainspring of the Act is security of tenure: the right for eligible commercial tenants to remain in their premises. The Act was introduced...
What are my responsibilities as a director under the Companies Act 2006 ?
A director of a company manages and is responsible for the day to day running of a company. If you are also an employee and/or shareholder you will have additional obligations – however this blog post just looks at your duties as a director. As...
One of my employees is regularly absent for various different reasons. It’s never for very long – a day here, a day there – but he’s a key member of staff and it’s disrupting my business. It’s also annoying to other...
