Legal New Year Resolutions

Never mind resolutions to lose weight and exercise more which are rarely kept to, this year make some legal resolutions to improve your business’ and your personal position:

• Make a will
• If you work in partnership with a partner or are shareholders with others in a company have a partnership or shareholders’ agreement.
• If you sell goods or services issue some standard conditions of sale and purchase to protect your legal position
• Make long term informal important business relationships into written agreements to provide better protection
• Ensure all employees have written contracts.
• Register as trade marks or patents any important intellectual property rights you use in your business
• Update your standard contracts terms
• Check your compliance with areas of law such as the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Competition Act 1998, all the new employment legislation and health and safety laws.
• Have your web site checked for legal compliance

James Couzens a partner in Parrott & Coales says:

“Sadly solicitors spend more time sorting out problems caused by lack of proper documentation, and commercial disputes which arise because of uncertainties, than they do drawing up good agreements in the first place. A few minutes spent making a note of what you have agreed or a few hours spent preparing helpful contracts means everyone knows where they stand and long running very expensive litigation can be avoided.”

For further information contact:

James Couzens at Parrott & Coales Solicitors Tel: 01296 318500

Email: james.couzens@parrottandcoalesllp.co.uk