Company & Commercial Services
Running and growing a business requires confidence in the legal foundations that support it. Whether you are launching a new venture, restructuring an established organisation, or managing day-to-day commercial relationships, having the right legal advice for your business at the right time makes all the difference.
Business focused legal guidance
At Kidd Rapinet, our commercial solicitors provide practical, business-focused guidance across the full spectrum of corporate and commercial law. We take the time to understand how your business operates, where you are heading, and what matters most to you, so we can deliver clear, reliable solutions that help you, wherever you are in your business life cycle.
This depends on how you plan to operate, grow and manage risk. Common options include sole trader, partnership, limited company or limited liability partnership (LLP). Each has different implications for tax, personal liability, funding and control. We advise on the most suitable structure for your circumstances and future plans.
Yes. Businesses often need to restructure as they grow, bring in investors, change ownership or manage risk more effectively. We can advise on reorganisations, shareholder arrangements, group structures and asset transfers, ensuring the process is legally sound, tax-efficient and aligned with your commercial objectives.
Commercial contracts protect your business, set expectations and reduce the risk of disputes. Poorly drafted agreements can expose you to financial and legal problems. We ensure your contracts are clear, enforceable and tailored to your business
We advise on a wide range of agreements, including terms and conditions for sale of goods and/or services, service agreements, supply contracts, distribution arrangements, licensing, confidentiality agreements (NDAs) and bespoke commercial arrangements. We focus on making sure your contracts support your commercial goals while managing risk effectively.
Yes. We advise both businesses and lenders on finance transactions, including loans, refinancing, security documents and guarantees. We ensure that funding arrangements are properly documented, compliant and commercially sensible, protecting your interests throughout the transaction.
Security may include debentures, charges over property or assets, personal guarantees or fixed and floating charges. We explain what obligations you are taking on, ensure documents are correctly prepared and registered, and help you understand the risks before you commit.
A joint venture is a collaboration between two or more parties to pursue a specific project or business opportunity. It can be structured in various ways, such as a new company, partnership or contractual arrangement. We help you choose the right structure and put agreements in place that protect your interests and set out how the venture will operate.
We draft and negotiate agreements covering ownership, decision-making, profit sharing, exit provisions and dispute resolution. Clear documentation helps prevent misunderstandings and provides certainty if circumstances change or the relationship breaks down.
Businesses must comply with a range of legal obligations, including company law, data protection, consumer law, employment law and sector-specific regulation. Non-compliance can result in fines, reputational damage and disputes. We help identify risks and ensure your business meets its legal responsibilities.
Yes. If your business is investigated or challenged by a regulator, early legal advice is vital. We assist with responding to regulatory enquiries, managing risk, and protecting your business’s reputation while working towards a practical resolution.
Intellectual property includes your brand, designs, software, content and confidential information. Protection may involve trade marks, copyright, licensing agreements and confidentiality provisions. We help you identify what needs protecting and put measures in place to safeguard your commercial value.
Yes. We advise on software licences, SaaS agreements, IT services, website terms, data protection and technology contracts. Our aim is to ensure your digital arrangements are legally compliant, commercially effective and aligned with how your business actually operates.
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Our Services
We have dedicated commercial solicitors within our offices across the South East working with small businesses through to multi-nationals with offices in the UK and worldwide.
Company formation and structuring
Assisting with incorporation of companies and LLP’s, drafting shareholder and partnership agreements, corporate governance and directors duties
Finance and banking
We work with borrowers, lenders, investors, and corporate groups to ensure finance arrangements are secure, compliant, and aligned with your broader commercial strategy.
Regulatory and compliance
Compliance is essential for maintaining reputation, avoiding penalties, and ensuring smooth business operations. We provide practical guidance on meeting your regulatory obligations across a range of sectors
Commercial Contracts
We prepare robust agreements that reduce risk and support your commercial objectives – these include SLAs, supply distribution and agency agreements
Joint ventures and strategic alliances
Collaborative ventures can accelerate growth, create new opportunities, and open access to new markets. We help shape these partnerships so they are legally secure and commercially beneficial.
Intellectual property and technology
In an increasingly digital and innovation-driven economy, intellectual property and technology rights are crucial business assets. Our commercial lawyers will help you protect, manage, and commercialise those assets effectively
Company formation and structuring
Incorporation of companies and LLPs
Whether you are forming a limited company, limited liability partnership, or specialist vehicle, we guide you through each stage of the incorporation process. From selecting the right structure to preparing constitutional documentation and filing with Companies House, we ensure your new entity is compliant, efficient, and fit for purpose. We also assist with reorganisations and group structures, helping businesses adapt as they scale.
Drafting shareholder and partnership agreements
Clear governance arrangements reduce the scope for disagreements and provide stability as your business grows. We draft bespoke shareholder agreements, partnership agreements, and LLP members’ agreements that set out ownership rights, responsibilities, decision-making procedures, and exit provisions. Whether you are bringing in new investors or formalising a long-standing working relationship, we ensure the framework works for everyone involved.
Corporate governance and directors’ duties
Directors and senior managers are under increasing regulatory scrutiny, and understanding your duties is vital for protecting both your business and personal position. We offer practical advice on corporate governance, directors’ responsibilities under the Companies Act, conflicts of interest, board procedures, and risk management. Our guidance helps you operate confidently, responsibly, and in line with best practice.
Commercial contracts
Commercial contracts shape your business relationships and protect your interests. We prepare clear, robust agreements that reduce risk and support your commercial objectives.
Supply, distribution and agency agreements
Whether you are supplying goods, expanding your distribution network, or appointing agents, we draft and negotiate agreements that safeguard your commercial position. We help you manage issues such as exclusivity, territories, pricing, intellectual property rights, liability, and termination, ensuring your arrangements are commercially sound and enforceable.
Service level agreements and outsourcing contracts
Outsourcing operational functions – from IT systems to frontline customer services – requires careful planning and precise contractual terms. We prepare service level agreements (SLAs) that define performance standards, responsibilities, reporting obligations, escalation procedures, and remedies. Our aim is to create clarity on both sides, helping providers deliver and clients maintain service continuity.
Standard terms and conditions for trading
Your terms and conditions set the tone for how you do business. We prepare bespoke terms for manufacturers, suppliers, service providers, online retailers, and professional firms, covering key issues such as pricing, delivery, payment, warranties, liability, termination, and dispute resolution. Well-drafted terms protect cashflow, reduce uncertainty, and strengthen your commercial relationships.
Finance and banking
Access to finance plays a critical role in growth and stability.
Loan and security documentation
From simple bilateral loans to complex secured facilities, we advise on and prepare the full range of lending documentation. This includes loan agreements, debentures, charges, mortgages, and personal or corporate security packages. We ensure the terms reflect your needs, whether you are protecting your position as a lender or seeking clarity and fair terms as a borrower.
Corporate finance transactions
Raising capital can unlock new opportunities, whether through equity investment, venture capital, private equity transactions, or intra-group arrangements. We support businesses at every stage of the funding process, advising on investment rounds, corporate reorganisations, equity structures, due diligence, and regulatory considerations. Our goal is to secure funding in a way that supports long-term value.
Guarantees and indemnities
Guarantees and indemnities carry significant long-term consequences. We draft and review these arrangements with clarity and precision, ensuring you understand your obligations, risks, and protections. Whether you are offering security to support a transaction or receiving comfort from a third party, we help you put the right safeguards in place.
Joint ventures and strategic alliances
Negotiating joint venture agreements
Joint ventures require clear governance, shared objectives, and well-defined responsibilities. We negotiate and draft agreements that deal with contributions, decision-making, profit-sharing, intellectual property, exit strategies, and dispute mechanisms. Our focus is on creating structures that encourage cooperation while protecting the interests of each party.
Collaboration frameworks and investment agreements
Not all strategic relationships require a formal joint venture structure. We prepare collaboration frameworks, strategic partnership agreements, and investment agreements that allow businesses to work together flexibly and productively. These arrangements help you innovate, share resources, and pursue new projects with confidence.
Regulatory and compliance
GDPR and data protection compliance
Data handling is a critical issue for all businesses. We advise on GDPR compliance, data processing arrangements, privacy notices, data-sharing agreements, international transfers, and data protection policies. Whether you are responding to a breach, implementing internal procedures, or conducting a compliance audit, we help you navigate the rules with clarity and practical solutions.
Anti-bribery and corruption policies
Ethical conduct is at the heart of modern business governance. We prepare anti-bribery, anti-corruption, and whistleblowing policies that meet legal requirements and align with your organisational culture. We also provide training and advisory support to help minimise risk and demonstrate compliance with the Bribery Act and related legislation.
Intellectual property and technology
Licensing and IP assignment agreements
We prepare licensing agreements and IP assignment documentation that govern how your intellectual property is used, transferred, or monetised. Whether you are licensing software, assigning trademarks, or commercialising creative work, we ensure your rights are protected and your arrangements generate lasting value.
Brand protection and trademark advice
Your brand is one of your most valuable business assets. We advise on trademark registration, brand management, infringement issues, and enforcement strategies. Our aim is to ensure your brand is distinctive, protected, and supported by the right legal framework.
IT and software contracts
Technology underpins modern business operations, and clear contractual terms are essential for managing risk. We draft and negotiate software development agreements, SaaS contracts, cloud-service arrangements, hosting agreements, and maintenance and support contracts. Our focus is on clarity, security, performance, and ensuring the technology you rely on serves your business well.
We’re here to support your next step
Request a video call, phone call or an in-person meeting