Commercial legal guides
Long-form, practical guides on instructing and working with commercial solicitors in England and Wales - how firms are chosen and regulated, how fees really work, and how the most common commercial problems are resolved.
Each guide is written for business readers rather than lawyers, and covers the process end to end: what to prepare, what things typically cost, what the realistic outcomes are, and the points at which taking advice changes the result. Where a guide relies on a statutory rule or official guidance, the source is linked so you can verify it.
Guides are reviewed periodically and each shows its publication and last reviewed date. They describe the law and practice of England and Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate legal systems.
- Choosing a firmHow to choose a commercial law firmA practical, step-by-step framework for scoping your matter, checking regulation, comparing commercial law firms and instructing the right team.13 min read · 11 sections · 10 FAQs · Reviewed 2026-08-05
- FeesHow commercial solicitors chargeHourly rates, fixed fees, capped and staged fees, disbursements, VAT and what a proper cost estimate should contain - plus practical ways to control legal spend.11 min read · 8 sections · 10 FAQs · Reviewed 2026-08-05
- Debt recoveryWhen a business should use a debt recovery solicitorHow to escalate an unpaid commercial invoice properly - from credit control to letter before action, court claim, statutory demand and enforcement - and when a solicitor is worth the cost.10 min read · 9 sections · 10 FAQs · Reviewed 2026-08-05
- DisputesShareholder disputes: routes to resolutionWhy shareholder disputes arise, what the articles and shareholders' agreement usually decide, and the realistic routes to resolution from negotiated exit to section 994 petition.11 min read · 9 sections · 10 FAQs · Reviewed 2026-08-05
- CorporateLegal due diligence when buying a businessWhat buyers investigate before an acquisition, how findings feed into price, warranties and indemnities, and how to run the process without losing the deal to delay.10 min read · 7 sections · 10 FAQs · Reviewed 2026-08-05
- Working with solicitorsWhat to prepare before instructing a solicitorThe documents, facts and decisions to have ready so a first meeting is productive, onboarding is fast and your legal spend goes on advice rather than admin.9 min read · 9 sections · 10 FAQs · Reviewed 2026-08-05