We act for a wide range of businesses, from start-ups and SMEs to international businesses, publicly traded companies and financial institutions.
When businesses are involved in joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, or restructuring, they need to consider the immigration status of employees and any obligations tied to sponsorship of overseas workers. Immigration compliance becomes part of the commercial due diligence, as any historical non- compliance can affect the transaction and company valuation.
All UK employers must conduct Right to Work checks on employees to confirm they are legally allowed to work in the UK. This obligation falls under immigration law but impacts commercial operations since non-compliance can lead to fines and reputational damage.
Multinational companies with UK branches often use sponsor licence for foreign employees transferring to the UK. This requires specific legal compliance, including verifying job roles, salaries, and terms aligned with immigration rules, directly impacting HR and financial policies within the company’s commercial law strategy.
The UK’s Expansion Worker Visa, under the Global Business Mobility route, is intended for foreign businesses seeking to establish a UK branch or subsidiary. It allows a company to send key employees to the UK to support the expansion. However, specific company and individual requirements must be met to be eligible for this visa.
Long-term success of a business in the UK will as much be impacted by regulatory and corporate compliance as well-prepared trading terms and contracts. We can ensure that your business obtains all licences and permissions which it requires to operate in full compliance with the laws, as well as ensuring that your business’s intellectual property stays protected.
We also assist with structuring your business right from the outset ensuring that intended management strategies and restrictions are enshrined in the constitutional documents of the company and any agreements between founders, shareholders and investors are clearly set out in shareholders agreements which are critical in any venture to protect the business as well as its members.
Whether your customers or suppliers are based in the UK or abroad, we provide legal support in preparing and negotiating commercial contracts to protect your business from the unexpected and to manage risk which your business takes on with every new transaction.
