EXPERTS IN BUSINESS LAW
At Layburn Hodgins we are proud to represent some of Canterbury's leading companies and individuals involved in the fast paced business marketplace. We are equally proud to act for a large number of small businesses in and around Christchurch, whose management seek our advice prior to finalising any of their business decisions.
It is our aim to establish long-term relationships with our clients to develop a sound understanding of their businesses – something which is essential to providing effective representation and advice.
Whether your business is in the start-up phase, expanding or winding down we can advise you from a legal and commercial law standpoint of the best actions to take. We don't just see the legal angles we see the whole business picture and your outcome becomes our outcome.
Commercial Sale and Purchase
If you are planning on buying or selling commercial property for business or investment purposes, then we recognise that you will be undertaking a much larger project with greater costs involved then if you were buying or selling a residential property.
Layburn Hodgins' solicitors are experienced in drafting and advising on commercial agreements, negotiating transactions, and assisting you with finance and settlement requirements.
Leases
If you are either the owner landlord of a commercial property or the tenant then you are likely to require legal assistance with negotiating an Agreement to Lease, and the drafting and execution of a Deed of Lease. Once a lease is in place, it is prudent that any amendment to the original arrangement is formalised by Deed.
Our solicitors are available to assist you with the completion of lease documents to formalise the rights and responsibilities of the parties involved and also set out details of the property and payment of the rental. We act prudently to deliver complete and comprehensive documents which secure and protect your interests in the property.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Layburn Hodgins' commercial solicitors are renowned for their forward thinking and abilities in assisting with structuring and strategising deals for our commercial clients. Our solicitors work closely alongside our clients throughout dealings, seeing complicated transactions through to settlement.
Layburn Hodgins' solicitors relish a challenge and enjoy assisting clients in the multi-faceted arena of mergers and acquisitions.
Due Diligence Investigations
Essential to any purchase, for businesses as well as commercial properties, is the proper completion of due diligence. Our solicitors are experienced in uncovering and identifying issues and advising you on specific risks within the business or property you are seeking to purchase.
Whether it be due diligence in respect of a company's employees, stock in hand, title searches, or information from the relevant council on consent and grant applications for land, our solicitors pride themselves on conducting thorough and comprehensive due diligence programmes.
Franchising
Layburn Hodgins' solicitors are knowledgeable in the legalities involved in franchises. We advise both franchisors and franchisees of their rights and obligations stemming from their involvement in a franchise and hold a good understanding of the ins and outs of franchise agreements and disclosure documents.
Advising on Entities
To ensure future flexibility, security, profits, and minimised tax costs, it is important that you receive sound, quality advice on how best to structure your business.
Our solicitors are qualified to consider the risk, assets, tax, establishment and compliance costs, and security requirements of your business to advise whether you would be best to set up an entity as a sole trader, a partnership, a trading trust, an unincorporated joint venture, or a company.
At Layburn Hodgins, we look at each new business venture carefully to tailor a structure that will best set up your business for success.
Agreements: Shareholder Agreements and Partnership Agreements
To establish positive, working relationships between members of a company or partnership, a Shareholder's Agreement or Partnership Agreement is a vital and necessary tool for successful business.
Layburn Hodgins' solicitors work together with individuals involved in companies and partnerships to draft and execute customised agreements setting out the day to day responsibilities of individuals and their rights in relation to company or partnership matters.
Forming a Company
When setting up a business, forming a company is generally the most popular structure chosen. Unlike a partnership, sole trader, or trust, a company is its own legal entity and sits apart from its shareholders and directors.
The advantages of forming and registering a company on the New Zealand Companies Register includes the offer of limited liability to the directors of the company, flexibility in the rights of shareholders and the size of the company, and separation of ownership and management.
The disadvantages of forming a company relate to specific administrative requirements with regards to financial reporting, filing of annual returns, and the keeping of proper accounting records.
At Layburn Hodgins, our solicitors are experienced in promptly attending to and completing the registration process of a new company, and are able to assist you through the administrative requirements so that the registration and continued compliance of forming a company remain uncomplicated and straightforward for our clients.
Employment
The Employment Law team at Layburn Hodgins provide plain language solutions and choices to businesses seeking impartial and practical advice.
We are able to handle all your employment law needs from routine advice and providing clarity on small issues to more complex matters and hearings. Our aim is to focus on pragmatic solutions which achieve a cost effective and speedy outcome. When working for the employer those solutions will be linked to the employer's commercial objectives and long term business strategies.
For more details, please see our information about Employment Law.
