Apr 2, 2025
The Value of Documented Agreements for Business Owners
A concern for business owners is how to run their businesses efficiently, with minimal disruptions or disagreements.
Meet the Team
Keith joined Walker Foster in 2000 as a Solicitor and became a Partner in 2003. He was Managing Partner/Managing Director for many years, guiding the business through challenge, change, and significant growth. He is now focussed on company and commercial law where he applies his legal expertise and his considerable experience of owning and running a complex business for the benefit of clients.
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Keith HardingtonDirector, Head of Company and Commercial LawKeith joined Walker Foster in 2000 as a Solicitor and became a Partner in 2003. He was Managing Partner/Managing Director for many years, guiding the business through challenge, change, and significant growth. He is now focussed on company and commercial law where he applies his legal expertise and his considerable experience of owning and running a complex business for the benefit of clients.
Keith is a trusted advisor who has worked with individuals and businesses for many years. His career began in Newcastle-upon-Tyne where he began working in the shipping industry looking after his father-in-law’s seagoing maintenance company. Since then, he has worked with businesses in many sectors including agriculture, veterinary, food supplements, engineering, retail, medical products and professional service firms.
He is a commercial and corporate solicitor. He also has wide experience in dispute resolution and is an accredited and experienced civil dispute mediator. He brings much experience to advising, negotiating, and drafting in business sales and commercial deals. He has led multi-million-pound business sales and share sales and purchases supported by our commercial team.
Keith’s work includes: Drafting and negotiating a range of commercial contracts including; terms and conditions, distribution agreements, agency agreements, licence agreements, supply of goods/service agreements and website policies.
Business sale and purchase including: Share sales and purchases and asset sales and purchases; management buyouts
Corporate advice including: Restructures and other share transactions, drafting shareholder agreements and partnership agreements, providing company and corporate advice, growth shares, EMI schemes, commercial dispute resolution, including mediation.
Keith spent two years on the Law Society Council representing Yorkshire and was a business advisor with Young Enterprise. He sat for a number of years on the board of a rural housing association which strives to provide affordable housing in rural communities.
In his spare time Keith loves nothing more than to get out on his bike, or go for a walk with his dog, Oscar. He is an avid fan of DIY, Classic Cars and supporter of Newcastle United, but we won’t hold that against him.
A concern for business owners is how to run their businesses efficiently, with minimal disruptions or disagreements.
The horrors of shareholder disputes cost eye-watering sums of money, destroy relationships, and destroy businesses.
Powers of Attorney (PoA) and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) provide peace of mind that, should you become unable to make decisions yourself, a trusted person you have chosen will act on your behalf. They will be able to manage your affairs in line with your wishes, ensuring important matters are handled with care and responsibility.
When someone dies, everything they own - known as their estate - must be carefully managed and distributed in accordance with their wishes as set out in their will. This process involves not only passing assets to the chosen beneficiaries but also handling debts, taxes and legal formalities along the way. For many, this can be a daunting and emotional task, especially during a time of grief.
When a person dies, their estate will be administered by a person or persons named as ‘executors’ in their will, or, in cases where they did not leave one, by anyone who has the highest standing to do so (which largely matches the rules of who benefits under a so-called intestacy). These individuals are also called personal representatives (PRs).
When a dispute arises between two parties, it’s not as simple as going straight to court. Before formal legal proceedings can begin, there are pre-action conduct requirements that must be followed.
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