Running a business brings with it a whole host of challenges and opportunities. Some will be familiar territory – others will require expert knowledge and fresh strategic input. This is why sound legal advice from our experienced commercial lawyers can make all the difference to your business journey.

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Our corporate and commercial lawyers have been supporting a wide range of businesses with their legal needs for years. We have a strong track record of success for our clients, helping them to protect their commercial interests and add value to their businesses.

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While we are based in Newcastle, we work with businesses and individual entrepreneurs all over the North East and beyond. We offer a modern, accessible service, meaning whenever you need our legal expertise, we can be available in a way that is convenient for you.

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Our team is friendly, approachable and responsive, with a focus on building strong, lasting relationships with our clients.​

Disputes are an inevitable factor of being part of or owning a business. They can be time-consuming and prevent you from running your business effectively. Our commercial dispute lawyers can help you, whether you’re a business or an individual, if you’re unable to resolve a dispute.

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Commercial litigation and dispute resolution are the legal processes and mechanisms used to resolve conflicts within businesses and commerce.

It encompasses a wide range of legal disputes that may arise between businesses, individuals, or a combination of both, with the aim of obtaining a positive outcome through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or, if necessary, litigation in court.

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In commercial litigation, disputes can arise from various sources, including breach of contract, partnership disputes, shareholder disagreements, debt recovery, and competition law violations, among others.

Commercial litigation and dispute resolution require expertise in various areas of law, including contract law, tort law, company law, and commercial regulations. Businesses often seek the assistance of experienced lawyers or barristers who specialise in commercial litigation to navigate the complexities of the legal system and protect their interests.

Whether you’re looking to rent shop premises for the first time, buy your own warehouse, let an office you own, re-purpose an old building or build dozens of new homes, our commercial property lawyers can help you progress your transactions more safely, and more profitably.

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Our commercial property lawyers work with a wide variety of businesses across the UK, ranging from sole traders up to and including larger commercial ventures. We take the time to understand your requirements and then make it our objective to fulfil them.

We can act for you in the sale and purchase of land, shops, industrial units and warehouses, as well as leases, financing and regulatory compliance work, and most other aspects of commercial conveyancing law.

Our expert team of commercial property lawyers are experienced in a variety of sectors, including (but not limited to) hospitality, leisure, retail and construction.

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Commercial property disputes can be prolonged and costly. Seeking advice early from a specialist disputes lawyer can be essential to minimise any negative impact on your business.

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Our experienced commercial property litigation lawyers have a wealth of experience in dealing with disputes for a range of clients. We work with large property developers and investors, individual owners, and landlords and tenants regarding business occupation.

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We regularly act in disputes relating to all aspects of commercial premises. In commercial property dispute matters, we can assist with ownership, easements, trespass and restrictive covenant disputes. With commercial landlord and tenant matters, we advise on terminating your business lease, seeking a business lease renewal, rent reviews, break notices and breaches of covenant.

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Additionally, if your tenant is in rent arrears, we can help you to recover the sums due. This may include serving a notice or rent demand on the tenant or forfeiting the lease which may include bringing a claim in the courts.

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The working world has changed. Employees today are more conscious of their rights than ever, which means employers need to put employment rules and procedures in place, for their own protection as well as their employees.

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Our employment lawyers advise employers and business owners of all sizes on a range of workplace issues and challenges, from employment contracts to settlement agreements and redundancy protocols.

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Many business owners are tempted, especially in the early stages of their company’s life, to ‘leave the legal stuff until later’ when it comes to things like employment law.

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However, the value of getting legal advice early in your employment journey cannot be underestimated. A single unfair dismissal claim can cripple a small or medium-sized business financially, especially if not handled correctly. Taking the time to ensure your employment practices are properly considered and implemented can pay dividends in the long run.

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If you do find yourself subject to legal action from a current or former employee, our employment law lawyers can help. We can advise you on the best way to minimise financial and administrative fallout, from unfair dismissal to discrimination claims.

Our employment lawyers also advise on the best strategy for fighting vexatious allegations which threaten to reach a tribunal.

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We can advise and assist in the drafting of commercial contracts and documents such as shareholders’ agreements, directors’ service contracts, terms of business, retention of title clauses, articles of association for companies and general contracts.

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We draft and also advise upon commercial contracts and company documents.

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It is an unfortunate fact that disputes can arise between business partners, directors and shareholders because there are no clear,  concise and comprehensible documents setting out respective roles, duties and obligations of each. We endeavour to minimise this risk by providing you with the documents you need to assist the commencement of your business and business relationship, with the least fuss.

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We can assist with the following commercial contracts and company documents, including:

• Memorandum & Articles of Association

• Shareholders' Agreement

• Director's Service Contract

• Employment Contracts

• Terms of Business

• Retention of Title Clauses

• Asset Sale Agreements

• Partnership Agreements

• Joint Venture Agreements

• Share Sale Agreements

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We produce clear and comprehensive documents which set out fully the relationship of the parties to a contract and which will limit the scope of any disagreements and litigation thereon.

As a business, you know only too well the seemingly challenging and complex nature of regulations and company related legislation. The onus is continuously upon you to ensure compliance, so that investigation and prosecution are avoided, particularly with the increasingly aggressive approach adopted by regulatory bodies.

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Financial penalties for regulatory breaches and business-related crime are significant, as is the potential for reputational damage. There is a growing focus on corporate and environmental responsibility, and regulatory powers have scaled upwards for some years now, and there is no sign of this changing in the immediate future.

We will provide robust, proactive advice to businesses and individuals across the spectrum of regulatory and corporate risk.

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The Home Office’s Points-Based System (PBS) is the UK’s immigration regime relating to those from countries outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) who wish to apply to gain initial admission into the UK, and thereafter obtain permission to remain, for all forms of business and employment related immigration. The PBS was gradually introduced in 2008 and 2009 and comprises various “Tiers”.

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For many businesses, employing staff outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) is considered commercially beneficial. The law surrounding foreign workers and business immigration however is incredibly complex and governing regulations are known for being extremely stringent. Non-compliance can lead to serious penalties and far-reaching consequences.

If as an employer you feel reaching out to migrant workers could deliver commercial advantage, then it is vital to ensure that every member of your workforce is legally entitled to live and work in the UK.

At Wolfe Simmonds lawyers, our specialist immigration lawyers provide expert advice to a variety of businesses, educational institutions and other bodies.