Practice Area 02

Business Law

From formation through to exit: your commercial interests, protected.

Commercial disputes and poorly drafted contracts cost businesses millions every year. We provide the legal rigour that prevents problems before they occur and the commercial litigation expertise to resolve them when they do.

What We Handle

Business Law Services

Every matter within business law has its own nuances. Our work in this area covers the full range of situations our clients face.

Company Formation & Governance

Articles of association, shareholder agreements, and board structures that prevent future disputes. We set businesses up correctly from day one.

Commercial Contracts

Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts of any complexity. We identify the clauses that matter and flag the ones that should concern you.

Shareholder & Partnership Disputes

Deadlock, unfair prejudice, and breach of fiduciary duty claims. We act for both majority and minority shareholders in contested situations.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Due diligence, sale and purchase agreements, and post-completion disputes. Jennifer Lim has overseen transactions exceeding £200 million in aggregate.

Commercial Litigation

Breach of contract, debt recovery, injunctions, and professional negligence claims. We litigate when necessary and settle at the right value.

Intellectual Property

Brand protection, trade mark registration, licensing agreements, and IP disputes including passing off and infringement claims.

Our Approach

How We Work

We do not believe in vague promises. Every matter follows a clear process from first contact to final resolution and you are kept informed throughout in plain English.

Start with a free call
01

Commercial Understanding First

We start by understanding your business, not just your legal problem. Good commercial advice requires knowing what matters to you commercially.

02

Risk Assessment

We identify your legal exposure clearly and quantify it where possible. You make informed decisions, not guesses.

03

Strategic Options

We set out your options with the likely cost, timeline, and probability of success for each. Then we let you decide.

04

Execution Without Drama

We handle the legal complexity so you can focus on running your business. Regular updates, plain English, no surprise invoices.

Proven Results

Results in This Area

Business Dispute Arbitration Award

£2.1M

Breach of partnership agreement in a commercial property venture. Full award plus solicitors' costs secured through binding arbitration.

Shareholder Dispute Settlement

£3.8M

Minority shareholder unfair prejudice petition resolved by way of negotiated buyout at full value, avoiding a contested Companies Court hearing.

IP Infringement Injunction

Granted

Emergency interim injunction obtained within 48 hours restraining a competitor from using our client's brand and trade secrets.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Your Solicitor

The Person on Your Case

JL
Jennifer Lim
Business Law Property Law

Jennifer Lim

Partner

Jennifer advises on commercial transactions and contentious matters at the highest level. Her experience spans cross-border disputes, complex shareholder litigation, and high-value commercial contracts. She has been recognised in the Legal 500 every year from 2020 to 2024 for her work in commercial litigation and is known for her thorough approach and commercial pragmatism.

  • LLB, University of Cambridge
  • Legal 500 2020–2024
  • Notary Public
FAQ

Common Questions

Questions we hear regularly. If yours isn't listed here, the first call is free.

What is unfair prejudice and can I bring a claim?

Unfair prejudice occurs when a company's affairs are conducted in a manner that is unfairly prejudicial to a member's interests. Common examples include exclusion from management, diversion of business, or failure to pay dividends. Section 994 of the Companies Act 2006 provides a statutory remedy. The most common outcome is a court-ordered buyout of your shares at fair value.

Do I need written contracts with business partners?

You do not legally need a written agreement (oral contracts are enforceable), but a well-drafted shareholders' agreement is essential for any business with more than one owner. It governs what happens on death, disability, retirement, dispute, and exit. Without it, you rely on the Companies Act's default provisions, which rarely reflect what anyone actually intended.

When should I litigate versus settle a commercial dispute?

Litigation is expensive, unpredictable, and time-consuming. It is appropriate when the amount in dispute is material, liability is clear, and the other side is not engaging seriously. In most cases, a well-argued letter of claim from a credible firm is enough to bring the other side to the table. We will give you an honest assessment of when to push and when to deal.

How are legal fees structured for business matters?

We offer hourly rate billing, fixed-fee arrangements for defined pieces of work, and in some commercial disputes, blended fee structures. We discuss this before we start and will not change the basis without your agreement. Litigation funding is also available for high-value disputes where the circumstances merit it.

Get Started

A Legal Problem Is a Business Problem.

Speak to Jennifer Lim about your commercial matter. Clear advice and a practical plan, at no cost.