We advise companies of varying sizes – from entrepreneurial start-ups to major international organisations – with their on-going business needs, helping them achieve their commercial goals.
Injecting value into your business and focus on finding solutions rather than problems is key for us, and we invest time to understand what you want to achieve and then apply our expertise and experience to make you succeed. Many of our lawyers have worked in-house, on secondment, or have previous industry expertise which means we understand the challenges you face and work with you to deliver practical, timely solutions.
We provide specialist advice that helps our clients to maximise their opportunities whilst minimising their risks, and we work closely with colleagues in other practice areas to provide a complete solution to our clients’ requirements.
Commercial Contracts
We can support you across the range of commercial contracts, whether you are buying and selling goods and/or services (on bespoke or standard terms), or seeking to formalise your working relationship with a third party to jointly pursue a business opportunity.
We understand the challenges faced when considering converting a business into a franchise. Our multi-disciplinary team advises on all aspects of franchising as well as other forms of distribution channel and hybrid arrangements, such as reseller, brand licensing and joint ventures. We have several highly experienced team members, and we are Affiliates of the British Franchise Association.
Find out moreOur team has the experience of providing both “pressure value” short-term assistance and longer term assistance, as in-house counsel and colleague for a range of clients from listed blue chip, to small start ups. This provides a fast, flexible and commercial solution to your particular needs with one point of contact, but with access to a broad range of specialists in the background.
Find out moreProcurement and Compliance
Our procurement lawyers can help to ensure efficient, commercial and legally compliant bid processes from the early stages of developing a bid strategy and structuring a tender process through to negotiations and contract award. We can help manage risk to ensure a successful commercial outcome for both local authorities and public sector bodies as well as suppliers.
Contract Management
Ashfords commercial team provide pragmatic advice throughout the life cycle of an agreement to help ensure successful business relationships, including advice on performance under the agreement, modification and change control and termination and exit provisions to help ensure a smooth transition or exit.
Consultancy and Services Agreements
Whether you are providing defined services or engaging a company to provide expertise and particular skills, the commercial team can help to ensure the correct contractual protections are in place for your particular arrangement. We understand the need for agility in business relationships and can work with teams to define processes as well as outcomes that help to achieve commercial success.
Distribution and agency
We work with businesses to set up and maintain new channels to market, which may involve establishing international distribution networks, appointing agents, licensing, franchising and retail concessions, as well as internet retailing and fulfilment operations. Our advice focuses on managing risk and safeguarding your reputation with our international network of lawyers.
Outsourcing, Concessions and Sub-Contracting
We are highly experienced in all forms of outsourcing including concession arrangements and general sub-contracting. We take care to understand your desired risk profile so that the outsourcing represents value for money and achieves your strategic aims and objectives.
Facilities Management and Asset Management
We regularly act for some of the largest national providers of facilities and asset management services, and those who purchase these services. We can advise you on the contractual terms of your proposed arrangements in order to ensure that the services required to be provided and fee required to be paid match your commercial expectations.
Joint Ventures and collaborations
Our team can help establishing structures, governance arrangements and contractual protections with a partnering approach to provide a platform for growth and development of the relationship, or indeed to assist with any restructure and exit of a party.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Our team can assist put the contractual arrangements in place to provide what you need, when you need it, to avoid the knock on impacts to your business of delays and failure, providing all parties with certainty of their obligations.
We offer a high quality and pragmatic service, on how to contract with overseas businesses, advising a wide variety of industries including medical device, luxury goods, FMCG goods, manufacturing, information technology and food businesses. If you are importing, exporting, setting up new distribution channels or trading online, we can assist with your international contracts and legal compliance.
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Relevant Experience
Advising Sensus USA Inc on its joint bid with Arqiva for the roll out of smart metering services across the UK.
All relevant experienceAwards
