UK team

We advise overseas businesses wishing to trade with or set up a business in the UK.

Exporting to the UK

Once you have decided to trade with the UK as opposed to trading in the UK, the next step is to ensure that your contracts are suitable and protect you.

Issues you have to take into account include where and how to litigate if things go wrong but also local legislation which may provide the other party unforeseen protection.

Ways of exporting to the UK are:

  • Traditional export
  • Appointing local agent or a distributor
  • Franchising

We are experienced in drafting, reviewing and enforcing supply contracts, agency and distribution agreements, internet and e-commerce terms and your general terms and conditions under international law.

Setting up business in the UK

When a business wishes to invest in the UK, there are numerous issues that must be addressed:

  • Is the investment into the UK to be made by way of acquiring an existing UK business, or via an entirely new start-up in the UK?
  • Will the investor be independent, or form a joint venture or partnership with someone already in or also planning to enter the UK?
  • What kind of corporate structure is to be used in the UK? This might be by registering a UK branch of the investing foreign company or by incorporating a UK subsidiary. One of these routes is necessary if there is to be an established place of business within the UK. However, if there is no intention to establish a place of business within the UK, then a local agent or distributor might be used.
  • Are there to be permanent staff in the UK? If so, these must either be recruited locally, or brought in from abroad, in which case any relevant permissions to work in the UK must be obtained.
  • Is the investment to be for a finite or indefinite period? This will have implications for any exit strategy.
  • Will premises be required in the UK?
  • Will there be physical movement of assets or people into the UK?

The team works closely with our local partner firm in London and offers advice on most legal aspects of doing business in the UK including corporate structuring, business acquisition, employment and debt collection.

We have produced a number of guides on doing business in the UK to assist you in your decision whether to export to or invest in the UK.

We work regularly with inward trade agencies such as the Department for Industry and Trade and bilateral chambers of commerce.

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