Setting up a Business
Business start-up solicitors
Setting up a new business is an exciting career step, but it is crucial to have all the correct legal building blocks in place to set you off on the right track. There are many legal implications to consider when starting and running a business, so it is important to seek expert legal advice from the outset to ensure you have all the correct documents and contracts in place.
What do I need to consider when setting up a business?
There will be different factors to consider depending on the business and the industry you operate in.
Also the structure of the business will result in different contracts and agreements being required.
How should I structure my business/start-up?
There are a number of ways in which you can structure your new business, including:
- Sole Trader-You operate as an individual
- Limited Company-You run the business in accordance with the Companies Act 2016 and the legal liability begins and ends with the company
- Partnership-You go into business with one or more people who jointly owns the assets and debts of the company
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)-A type of partnership where the partners have limited liability which does not include their personal finances
Do I have to instruct a solicitor to set up a business?
There is no legal requirement to instruct a solicitor when you’re setting up a business, however they can advise you on your rights, responsibilities and duties relating to legalities, make sure you have the appropriate documentation and contracts in place for customers and suppliers, review the terms of your lease, ensure you have all the appropriate insurance in place, provide guidance on regulations within your industry and draft or review agreements relevant to your business.
It is especially recommend to instruct a solicitor if you are setting up a limited company as they can ensure the appropriate documentation is in place and protect the interests of all parties involved.
What contracts/agreements should I have in place?
Whilst the structure of your business will affect some of the contracts that you need, the following are essential contracts that every business should have in place to avoid problems down the line:
- Employment contracts
- Terms and conditions
- Shareholder/partnership agreement
- Confidentiality agreements/non-disclosure agreements (NDA)
- Intellectual Property Assignment Agreement
How can I protect my intellectual property?
Intellectual property law can be complex, so we would advise getting the guidance of a solicitor to apply for protection and enforce your rights.
Copyright might automatically protect your work without you having to make an application to the Intellectual Property Office, otherwise a solicitor who specialises in intellectual property can help you apply for a trademark, patent or design right.
Why use Rothera Bray for setting up a business?
Our team of experts are on hand to provide trusted professional advice and will support you in building a legally sound business.
Our advice will be tailored to your business, taking into account your sector and the legal considerations associated with it.
As part of our initial advice on the setting up of your business, we are happy to directly introduce you to our extensive network of other relevant professionals across the Midlands, from accountants to insurance brokers.
We use our extensive experience to advise small and start-up businesses on a variety of matters, including:
- Incorporation – becoming a limited company, sole trader, partnership or limited liability partnership (LLP)
- Shareholder and partnership agreements
- Employment contracts
- Restrictive covenants
- Trademarks
- Business financing options
- Terms and conditions of sale
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“Our specialist team will ensure that your business is legally protected from the start”
David Kaplan
Partner
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Posted 14 July 2026
Cannot speak highly of the team at Rothera Bray Beeston, who helped me along to get my issue resolved. Special mention goes to Jack English, who showed incredible resilience, along with a large dose of patience whilst guiding me along the way, so that the correct result was obtained. Would have no hesitation in recommending this practice for whatever legal service you require. Thank you once more!
Lee S
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Posted 13 July 2026
My divorce was a long drawn out process thanks to my ex-husband and Sarah made it a lot less stressful due to her professional caring nature and her expertise. Thank you.
Karen
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Posted 13 July 2026
We cannot thank Rothera Bray enough for the outstanding support they provided throughout our Special Guardianship Order (SGO) process. Thanks to their expertise, professionalism, and dedication, we achieved a successful outcome, and we genuinely couldn't have done it without them. A special thank you goes to Ann-Marie and Emily, who guided us every step of the way. They were always there to offer advice, reassurance, and practical support whenever we needed it. No question was ever too much trouble, and they responded to any concerns or issues incredibly quickly, giving us confidence throughout what was a very challenging and emotional process. Their professionalism, knowledge, and attention to detail are of the highest standard. They made us feel supported from start to finish and always had our best interests at heart. We are truly grateful for everything they have done for our family and would wholeheartedly recommend Rothera Bray to anyone in need of exceptional legal representation. Thank you again, Ann-Marie and Emily, for making such a positive difference to our lives.
Barbara
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Posted 10 July 2026
We were extremely satisfied with the service from Rothera Bray during the process of rewriting our Wills and Side letters. Our Wills are complex and our solicitor clarified the necessary changes and took the time needed to ensure we understood the legalities involved. The service was professional but friendly.
Bob and Yvonne Bundick
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Posted 10 July 2026
I found Rothera Bray to be professional and responsive. I was glad I used a firm with a local office rather than one of the remote conveyancing companies.
Nigel Wright
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Posted 10 July 2026
Ellie has been very helpful she was always ready to answer any questions/queries I had. Nothing was too much trouble at all. Ellie’s knowledge & expertise of my situation was extremely good. She kept me informed of time frames making sure I was always updated on my completion etc. I would highly recommend Ellie to my family and friends, a very patient professional who has helped me a lot. Rothera Bray have a wonderful member of their team in Ellie Robinson.
Beverley Wyatt
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Posted 10 July 2026
We had the pleasure of dealing with Rothera Bray for our property purchase and specifically Tim Brooke and his team Craig Allsopp and Nikola Dzierzak. Despite a non-straightforward transaction with multiple titles, Tim and his team were excellent from start to finish, always advising us in a timely manner and doing a really thorough job on all the searches and relevant property matters. Once completion took place, Tim and team stayed engaged to ensure the title registration was complete despite the delays at land registry. We cannot thank Tim enough as at several points we thought the property deal might fall through but with the advice, guidance and attention to detail provided by Tim we got there in the end! Thank you.
Prachi
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Posted 9 July 2026
It’s lovely to deal with someone whom makes the process just so easy. Dealing with Talita at Rothera Bray was an absolute pleasure . Very professional and thorough.
Will client
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Posted 8 July 2026
George dealt with my settlement agreement, quickly and efficiently. He answered all my questions and put my mind at rest that I was doing the right thing. Thanks.
Julie R
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Posted 8 July 2026
The experience was very good, Millie was very knowledgeable, was quick to respond and brought the matter to a successful conclusion.
Stephen Hughes
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Posted 8 July 2026
Lauren provided me with exceptional support and great advice throughout my case. She is incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and honest, making what was such a stressful process for me much easier to manage. I'd highly recommend her to anyone who might need her services.
Employment Law client
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Posted 7 July 2026
The conveyancing process was smooth from start to finish. Everything was handled efficiently, communication was clear, and the team was polite and professional throughout. I really appreciated how straightforward they made the whole process. Ellie Robinson and Grace Millward Thank you for a great service!
Zak Appleby

Tim Gladdle
Senior Partner
Tim qualified as a solicitor in 1983, giving him 40 years of legal experience. He specialises in advising a wide range of companies on corporate and commercial affairs and transactions.

David Kaplan
Partner & Head of Corporate and Commercial
David Kaplan is a partner in our Corporate and Commercial team and is based at our Derby city centre office. David has been advising businesses for nearly 30 years and is recognised by Legal 500 as a Leading Individual.

Toby Preston
Partner
Toby is a Partner who specialises in corporate and commercial law and business affairs. He has been a partner for over 10 years and been involved in many high profile acquisitions and disposals. He works mainly from our Leicester branch.

Liz Mills
Senior Associate
Liz Mills is a Senior Associate in our Corporate and Commercial team and is based at our Derby office. Liz is recognised by Legal 500 as a Leading Associate.

Arron Halait
Senior Associate
Arron is a Senior Associate in our Corporate and Commercial team and is based at our Leicester office.

Erica Hurst
Solicitor
Erica Hurst is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Corporate and Commercial department and is based at our Lace Market office in Nottingham city centre.

Sandeesh Samra
Solicitor
Sandeesh Samra is a Solicitor in our Corporate and Commercial team and is based at our Lace Market office in the heart of Nottingham city centre.

Liam Wicks
Solicitor
Liam Wicks is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Corporate & Commercial department and is based at our Derby office.

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