Steven Grant

Supporting local entrepreneurs is vitally important to allow the continued growth of our economy and diversity amongst our business community. It is for this reason that Steven Grant , Partner and Head of our Commercial department, recently agreed to...

The Chancellor announced two significant changes in his autumn budget to the qualifying conditions required to claim Entrepreneurs’ Relief (ER). ER is an important tax relief for many of our clients because it may be applied to reduce the rate of...

Two companies who went to court in an argument over whose terms and conditions applied to a contract between them, have both lost out. Steven Grant, Head of the Commercial Team at Warner Goodman Commercial, explains more about the case here, and why the High Court decided that neither company had a leg to stand on in their dispute over the supply of rubber gaskets.

The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (SBEE Act) will abolish corporate directors from 1st October 2015. Steven Grant, Company Commercial Partner, explains here that companies will no longer be allowed to be a director of another company and advises that those using corporate directors would be well placed to start considering how the SBEE Act will affect them, and whether they will need to restructure their boards.

Most businesses need standard terms to operate, and it’s important these are kept up-to-date. Steven Grant, Partner in the Company Commercial team, here answers 10 of the most common questions asked by clients.

Warner Goodman Commercial recently presented a seminar under the banner “Doing Business Abroad” at the Chilworth Manor Hotel. With over 40 guests in attendance from a variety of business sectors, the evening was a great success. The audience, mainly comprised of SME business people, came to learn how to trade, expand and operate overseas and how to avoid pitfalls.

Warner Goodman Commercial is pleased to announce a forthcoming seminar on “Doing Business Abroad”, an evening of presentations in Southampton for SMEs interested in trading, expanding or operating overseas.

Unless you use our commercial department for your international commercial legal work, you may be unaware that it is a major part of our commercial practice, with no sign of slowing down. It is for this reason that Jonathan Strassberg, a US, Scottish and UK joint qualified lawyer, has joined the team to help continue this expansion of our international caseload.

The majority of questions that come from shareholders focus around a few key areas; working with other shareholders in the business, your personal rights as a shareholder, and selling your shares.

Ownership does not always mean control. The directors, rather than shareholders, have day to day control of the company’s affairs.

The tax status of fixed share members in LLPs has been brought into sharp focus by the Finance Bill 2014 and the expected reclassification is set to affect many, explains Steven Grant, Head of the Commercial Group.

The Court of Appeal has given a timely reminder as to the fair treatment of minority shareholders. Steve Grant, Head of Warner Goodman Commercial’s Department, evaluates a recent case in which a minority shareholder alleged that he had been mistreated by the company’s director and majority shareholder, and the implications of the case outcome for shareholders.

Some owner managers who have kept their business afloat by lending their own money to the business have decided enough is enough and are looking to exit, states Steven Grant of Warner Goodman Commercial. Coinciding with a general acceptance that the economy is unlikely to return to its former levels any time soon, debt burden has caused many SME business owners to rethink their strategy and for some, selling appears to be the most attractive option.

Buying a business can be one of the most important decisions you make in your life, and there are many factors to consider before signing that final contract. Here Steven Grant, Commercial Partner, covers the key questions you need to answer before committing to buying a business.