It’s all about the law. (No, it’s not)
Jan 29, 2018
I was just thinking this week about the way in which my business clients ask for my help. Here are some examples from the last few days.
I was just thinking this week about the way in which my business clients ask for my help. Here are some examples from the last few days.
Can I sign this contract? Should we embark on this joint venture with another company and how do we do that? We’ve worked on a ‘handshake’ with a firm in Holland for ten years but our new owners want something more solid, can you help? Can you “do” an EMI scheme?
These queries are framed as business objectives. They are not requests for a distributorship agreement, a JV agreement, resolutions, minutes, scheme rules and option agreements. Such documents record the intentions but we help with advice on the structure and means to deliver what the client wants and don’t only produce a nice suite of documents. We try to answer clients’ questions in clients’ language, the language of business.
When buying or selling a business, the sale documentation must clearly set out who is responsible if something later goes wrong. Two of the most important protections in a business sale are warranties and indemnities.
The requirement to be physically present is absolute. A signature cannot be witnessed online via a video call like Zoom or FaceTime, or even through a window.
A power of attorney does not continue after death. When the donor dies, the authority granted to the attorney ends immediately. There is no grace period, and the attorney stops acting from the point of the donor’s death.
If you are thinking about ending a power of attorney, one of the first questions is often about cost. The answer will depend on factors such as your circumstances and whether you need support with the process.


Craven House, Newtown, Barnoldswick, BB18 5UQ
First Floor, 7 Victoria Avenue, Harrogate, HG1 1EQ
27 Riddings Road, Ilkley, LS29 9LX
Century House, Northallerton, DL6 2XQ
1 High Street, Settle, BD24 9EX
63 Kirkgate, Silsden, Keighley, BD20 0PB
3 High Street, Skipton, BD23 1AA