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Corporate and M&A

Advisory & governance

 

We understand that business leaders are under pressure to make difficult but informed decisions quickly and are often challenged after.

Our corporate legal specialists are experienced in convening and structuring board and general meetings, including drafting minutes, advising on director duties and conduct and providing strategic support.  

“Very professional, knowledgeable and accessible lawyers.” 

Chambers and Partners

FAQs – Advisory & governance

Corporate Advisory Services is an umbrella term that encompasses specialised advice given to corporate organisations by professional advisors such as lawyers and accountants. The advice can be anything from: entity establishment to directors duties and conduct, or convening and structuring board and general meetings, drafting minutes, or providing strategic support, and preparing for sale or acquisition.

Corporate Governance is the system by which companies are directed and controlled. Boards of directors are responsible for the governance of their companies. The shareholders’ role in governance is to appoint the directors and the auditors and to satisfy themselves that an appropriate governance structure is in place.

The best practice of corporate governance has been codified in the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018. The Code operates on a ‘comply or explain’ basis.

The Corporate Governance can be separated into five sections:

  1. Board Leadership and Company Purpose
  2. Division of Responsibilities
  3. Composition, Succession and Evaluation
  4. Audit, Risk and Internal Control
  5. Remuneration

Corporate governance is based on five guiding principles:

  1. Accountability
  2. Awareness
  3. Impartiality
  4. Responsibility
  5. Transparency

Although the Code is only mandatory for listed companies, all companies should have appropriate systems, policies and practices in place. Therefore, even though it is not obligatory, many businesses opt to abide with the UK Corporate Governance Code.

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Read, listen and watch our latest insights

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  • 01 August 2018
  • Corporate and M&A

Clarkslegal advises BMW Group UK on recent acquisition

Head of Corporate, Ashan Arif supported by Kirstin Parker, Caroline Lendrum and Martha Craven, advised BMW Group UK on its recent acquisition from H.R. Owen. Details of the transaction are confidential.

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  • 20 June 2018
  • Corporate and M&A

Clarkslegal wins Strike Out Application following new Contract Law ruling

In a hugely significant judgment for businesses, the Supreme Court has tightened the flexibility traditionally enjoyed by contracting parties to vary the terms of their contracts (Rock Advertising Ltd v MWB Business Exchange 2018).

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  • 12 June 2018
  • Corporate and M&A

The rise of Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs)

House of Fraser is the latest high-profile CVA in the retail sector but it’s not just the retail sector which has been inundated: the latest government statistics show that there has been an 85.5% increase in the use of CVAs.

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  • 05 March 2018
  • Corporate and M&A

The seven biggest threats to your business – and how to minimise them

Business owners face a host of risks, so you need to prepare for the worst.

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  • 08 November 2017
  • Corporate and M&A

Changes to the PSC Regime

Since the PSC Regulations came into effect in June 2016, changes to a company’s PSC information have been filed annually at Companies House on the Confirmation Statement.

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  • 12 September 2017
  • Corporate and M&A

CG Archive Acquisition Marks 30th for OASIS Group

Clarkslegal, led by corporate lawyers Jon Chapman and Esma Kilic, have advised OASIS Group on all of their UK acquisitions.

“We are very pleased with the support and advice received from on the recent acquisition by BMW Group UK.  With clear, concise and timely advice and management, Ashan and his team helped us navigate through some complex arrangements and seamlessly bridged the gap between the legal and commercial issues”

Amit Kotecha, Senior Legal Counsel – BMW Legal Affairs UK & Ireland 

“I was impressed with the speed, turnaround and frequency of communication in my dealings with Clarkslegal’s corporate team led by Stuart Mullins, in concluding my share purchase.” 

Nigel Keene, Managing Director – Whiteknights Estate Agents

Ashan Arif is central to our working relationship – we have a high degree of trust and confidence in his work. He was interested in our business from the outset, clear about the firm’s capability and focus, and has provided high-value and cost-effective support.

Legal 500