SMEs, directors & shareholders

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Welcome to Francis Wilks & Jones, the country’s leading legal advisors to SMEs, directors and shareholders.

We know that running a business can be hard at the best of times. But when one throws in all of the day-to-day challenges, both commercial and personal, it is not surprising that issues occasionally arise which require the expertise of a law firm to help fix. Our team has successfully assisted 100s of clients over the years, allowing them to get on with their business lives.

One of the most astute appointments I have ever made.

A company director we successfully defended against disqualification

Business law solicitors

Particular areas of expertise we can assist you are as follows:

Business funding

With our fantastic connections to the finance industry in general, we are able to advise our clients on all types of business funding issues, from alternative finance, asset-based lending, the granting or giving of security, different types of secured and unsecured lending together with share sales and trade finance. Whatever your enquiry, our expert team is here to help.

Commercial litigation and dispute resolution

Our commercial litigation and dispute resolution team is one of the best in the country.

All businesses from time to time have to deal with commercial disputes, often with suppliers or customers. Our team has dealt with a wide range of cases for clients ranging from debt claims right through to more complex commercial litigation and everything in between.

We also specialise in more complex court applications such as freezing orders and injunctions.

Our aim is always to help our clients resolve their disputes early on. But if this is not possible, we can help you through the litigation process to make sure you obtain the best outcome, whatever the claim.

Company rescue

Company rescue is one of our specialisms.

We recognise that it is an unfortunate fact of business life that, from time to time, companies suffer from trading and solvency difficulties. The recent pandemic bought on by COVID has brought this sharply into focus.

However, there are normally options available to help rescue a business rather than follow the formal insolvency route. Unlike other service providers out there, our emphasis is on helping businesses survive, not putting them into insolvency.

Our brilliant company rescue team is here to help. We regularly provide advice on:

• administrations
• business recovery
• business rescue
• company voluntary arrangements
• restructuring and insolvency
• liquidations
• winding up petitions and validation orders – to keep the company trading.

Call our team of experts today.

Debt recovery

Our debt recovery team is amongst the best in the country. Over the last 20 years, we have collected in tens of millions of pounds for our clients. Our team is backed by state-of-the-art technology and technology platforms which we have developed ourselves. These allow, for example, a direct interface with our clients’ accounting systems to enable automated upload of debt data. We are also linked directly to the courts for same day issuing of claims.

We are equally at home dealing with defended claims whatever the size of the claim – whether it be a large claim or small claim, we have the team to help.

Director services

We are one of the leading providers of legal services to directors. The cases we successfully assist with include:

• claims by HMRC
• claims by liquidators or administrators
• shareholder claims in the company
• claims by Companies House
• director disqualification proceedings

Whatever threat you may face as a director, don’t settle for second best. Our team can help today.

Shareholder and member advice

We provide a complete service to shareholders and partnerships.

It is an unfortunate fact of life that shareholders can fall out. Our shareholder dispute team has huge experience dealing with what are often highly emotional matters. We are here to help pick up the pieces, look at matters calmly and objectively, and see whether an amicable resolution can be reached without the need for formal litigation.

Our team offers a 360 degree service to shareholders and partnerships on other matters including;

• corporate and partnership risks
• shareholder rights and remedies
• shareholder or partnership agreements

SME services

We provide a wide range of general services for SMEs. These range from general commercial contract advice, advice on purchasing a business or simply looking at your terms of trade to make sure that they are the best available for you.

Tax disputes

Our tax disputes team is one of the best in the country.

Headed up by Stephen Downie, a qualified lawyer and accountant, it also boasts team members such as Andy Lynch, formerly 18 years at HMRC working in the investigations team. Our team can work with you on matters such as:

• disguised remuneration schemes and accelerated payment notices
• PAYE and VAT security notices
• personal liability notices
• tax disclosures and investigations
• loan charges
• time to pay agreements

Whatever your enquiry, we have the team to assist.

Whatever your business enquiry, one of our friendly team of experts will be able to help. The strength and depth of our experience means that we have dealt with 100s of different business situations over the years. Don’t settle for second best, contact us today.

If there was ever a star rating for law firms, Francis Wilks & Jones would score five stars plus. Professional and pro-active, they were able to understand my problem quickly, provide expert advice, outline a solution and put it into place with a successful outcome. I should have gone to them sooner.

A client we successfully defended in director disqualification and insolvency related proceedings