Free initial consultation for new firms
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Lawyers for Enterprise scheme
• MORE THAN 2,000 solicitors from all over England and Wales have joined the Lawyers for Enterprise small and new business advice scheme developed by the Law Society in consultation with Business in the Community, which is the co-ordinating body behind local enterprise agencies. The scheme offers a free, initial consultation.
The scheme was started last year, for a number of reasons, not the least being that many questions which arise in the context of a small or new business have a legal context.
Under the scheme a solicitor is on hand to advise the client on these matters and to take any necessary action. The solicitor will also help to forecast whether there may be problems arising and take steps to forestall them.
The scheme offers a brief, free initial consultation with a solicitor during which the solicitor and client go through a checklist leaflet which the client will have obtained and completed beforehand.
The points will include the form of the business premises, finance, grants, taxation, disputed, franchising and employment but the list is not, of course, exhaustive. However, with the 1992 open market looming up, it will become increasingly important to sort out these matters.
FREE CONSULTATION Then normal rates After the free, initial consultation, all work done for the client is at normal rates.
The solicitor keeps the client informed of developments that could affect the likely cost of the help given, and offers to inform the client if or when it becomes apparent that a particular level of cost has been reached of great importance to a young business when budgets are tight.
The checklist leaflet is available, along with a list of local participating solicitors, from enterprise centres, other business advice centres, local authority offices and libraries.
If you think the scheme may be of use to you, phone the Lawyers for Enterprise reply service on 01-405 9075, leave your name and address, and a checklist leaflet and list of firms in your area will be sent.