Why You Need A Commercial Lawyer For Your Small Business

As a business owner, entrepreneur or self-employed individual, your commercial enterprise is a lot like a ship at sea. If your business is run properly, with the appropriate support, it’ll be plain sailing. However, without the right crew, you’ll eventually sink. Of course, all businesses have their ups and downs and encounter storms, but with the right team, and a good captain, you’ll get where you need to go.

With that in mind, ensuring that your operations are efficient, airtight and legally compliant is absolutely essential. This is where the role of a commercial lawyer proves invaluable. From the crafting of agreements and contacts to insights, problem-solving and litigation case management, specialists in commercial law are often an integral part of a small business. They exist as a source of expert information, assistance and advice for all manner of legal matters.

If you’re contemplating employing the services of a commercial lawyer for your small business, it’s only natural that you may have a few questions. Legal matters are often confusing and somewhat overwhelming at first glance but, with the right help, you can rest assured that your business is in safe hands.

Here at Paddle & Cocks LLP Solicitors, we’ve solidified a reputation for excellence, helping businesses of all sizes to navigate the world of commercial law. In the following article, we’ll outline the range of benefits of commercial lawyers and explain why they’re essential for your small business.



What Is A Commercial Lawyer?

Before we dive into the specifics of commercial law and the ways in which your business will benefit, it is worth clarifying what it is that commercial lawyers do. The legal profession is vast and varied, with many different areas focussing on all manner of issues; understanding this area will make its benefits to business clearer.

As the name suggests, a commercial lawyer is a professional individual concerned with commercial and business legal matters. They assist heavily with transactions, contracts, documentation and paperwork. What’s more, they may also help in other company issues that require legal knowledge, actions and issues with the courts.

It is important to note that a commercial lawyer will deal with the many issues that crop up during a business or transactional period. These include preventing ambiguity or confusion when drafting contracts, avoiding disputes and ensuring legal compliance at all times. We’ll cover the specifics of these shortly, but it is important to keep in mind the role that a commercial lawyer plays during every stage of a business process.

Commercial Vs Corporate Law

In addition to understanding the basics of commercial law, it is worth noting the difference between commercial and corporate law. These two sectors are often confused and, though they may share certain similarities, also differ in many ways. Commercial law may be understood as a broader legal service, assisting clients with a vast range of legal issues. Corporate law, on the other hand, is focused on the legal aspects governing the sale and distribution of assets.

Unlike commercial law, which governs transactional aspects of business such as contracts, insurance and banking, corporate lawyers tend to focus their efforts on the structuring of companies, shareholder rights and mergers.

For the purposes of this article, we’ll be focussing solely on commercial law. That said, corporate law is equally important. If you’d like to discuss your options regarding corporate lawyers here at Paddle & Cocks LLP Solicitors, just get in touch.

Benefits To Your Business

So, how exactly can your small business benefit from the services of a commercial lawyer? With a basic understanding of commercial law, let’s take a look at the specifics. As is the case with all matters of business, inconsistencies and ambiguity can lead to major commercial disputes. Below, we’ll explain the ways in which commercial lawyers can prevent these problems from ever arising.

Legal Contracts

Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, commercial lawyers provide invaluable advice and assistance in the creation of contracts and legal agreements. It goes without saying that watertight contracts are absolutely essential when entering into any form of arrangement with a third party or business. If a contract is unclear, generic or poorly drafted, it can lead to serious issues later down the road. Many small businesses make the mistake of copying a contract or agreement, without realising that this constitutes copyright infringement and is unlikely to contain the terms required to protect your specific business requirements.

This is where commercial lawyers are of use. A specialist in commercial law will be able to oversee the creation of contracts for a wide range of agreements and business arrangements. Not only will they be well-versed in all legal terminology, but they will also be able to advise you as to the best approach for new contracts and ensure that your best interests are taken care of.

Commercial Disputes

Moreover, the skills and expertise of a commercial lawyer prove invaluable in the event of a commercial dispute. Owing to the vast diversity of the corporate landscape, commercial disputes are an inevitability. Whether it is a trivial issue or something as time-consuming as a wrongful defamation case, the legal assistance of a commercial lawyer is essential. Should such a disagreement arise between your business and a third party, a supplier or a customer, an expert in commercial law will be able to assist you in all proceedings.

For small businesses, a legal dispute is not only time-consuming, but it can also be financially draining and damaging to your reputation if it is not dealt with swiftly and efficiently. Here at Paddle & Cocks LLP Solicitors, our aim is to avoid costly court proceedings with a pragmatic approach. This will minimise costs, prevent long court cases and avoid any major disruption to your business operations.

Legal Compliance

Of course, hiring a legal professional will not only benefit your business in the creation of contracts and dispute resolution; a commercial lawyer will be able to ensure that your small business is compliant with all legal requirements. As a small business, the last thing you need is to encounter legal trouble. That said, it can be difficult to stay on top of all legal requirements while managing operations and juggling a million tasks at once.

Here at Paddle & Cocks LLP Solicitors, we’re well-versed in all areas of commercial law. Years of experience mean that when it comes to legal compliance, your business is in safe hands. Our expert team are able to assist in a wide range of legal issues including the following:

●     Terms and Conditions of Sale or Purchase

●     Terms of Website Use

●     Privacy Notices

●     Data protection

●     Supply of Service Agreements

●     Master/Framework Agreements

●     Intellectual Property Licences including Trademark and Patent Licences

●     Web/App/Software Development Agreements

●     Consultancy Agreements

●     All types of bespoke commercial agreements

Peace Of Mind

Finally, it is important to note that employing the services of a good commercial lawyer will grant you the peace of mind required to focus on other areas of your business. Legal disputes, contractual difficulties and general compliance can be confusing and time-consuming; leaving these tasks in the hands of an experienced lawyer means you can rest assured that your business is fully compliant at all times.

Paddle & Cocks LLP Solicitors: Your Trusted Commercial Law Firm

Whether you’re a start-up organisation or a growing business, ensuring that legal matters are taken care of is a must. From contracts and legal agreements to intellectual property and data protection, a commercial lawyer will take care of everything you require. Legal security is imperative for prospering businesses, handling any issues that may arise and protecting you from disputes and other similar matters.

If you’re searching for the assistance of a legal professional for your business, look no further. Our experienced team are able to provide a comprehensive legal service that is friendly, personalised to your needs and of an unflinching standard of quality.

We’re proud to serve clients across the UK and internationally, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.