company structures & ownership

Choosing the correct business structure is an important decision and will impact on, amongst other things, tax treatment, personal liability and attractiveness to investors.

We are experts in the complete spectrum of business types and advise start ups on the establishment of new businesses in the UK and also established organisations on alternative structures and the creation of new group members. We work closely with our clients to make sure they not only choose, but also make the most of, the correct business structure.

White & Black can help you with, amongst other things:

• incorporation of new businesses or group members;
• transfers of assets, liabilities and contracts to a new group member;
• the allotment and issue of new shares;
• share transfers;
• distributions to shareholders;
• share buy-backs and reductions of capital;
• stamp duty clearances for intra-group transfers;
• implementation of new banking facilities and security arrangements for new businesses and group members;
• advice on group reorganisations through Insolvency Act and Companies Act procedures;
• advice to directors of companies on the brink of insolvency; and
• FSA implications of changing business structure.

We also advise on the adoption and interpretation of governing documents to regulate relationships between, amongst other things:

• partners in unincorporated partnerships;
• directors of and shareholders in limited companies (whether through articles of association, appointment letters or terms of reference for board committees or shareholders’ agreements);
• members in limited liability partnerships;
• investors and co-investors; and
• parties involved in joint venture and other collaborative arrangements.