INTERNATIONAL lawyers ahead of the curve
The UK is one of the top business locations globally and the number one destination for inward investment in Europe.
THE UK IS OPEN
It offers investors a strong economy, dynamic labour market and an excellent legal and regulatory framework, creating an environment which is very favourable to foreign direct investment. When it comes to ease of doing business, the World Bank ranks the UK in the top 10 in its ‘Doing Business’ guide. The UK economy has remained resilient despite the uncertainty posed by Brexit, with continued investment from overseas confirming the UK’s attractiveness as a leading business location. London retains its pivotal role as a world leader in the professional services and banking sectors as well as having a booming tech sector. Many of the world’s largest organisations have chosen the capital as a location for their European headquarters with over 40% of Fortune 500 companies having a base in London and almost 60% when including the rest of the UK. The UK is a vibrant destination where people want to live and work and boasts an attractive culture, lifestyle, international outlook, multicultural population, excellent education system and a great place to do business.
WHY ROYDS WITHY KING Finding the right lawyer in a foreign country can be difficult and can take time. At Royds Withy King, we aim to take the stress out of the process.
Whatever your business needs, we will work with you to come up with creative and cost effective solutions to help you achieve the outcome you want. We deliver a comprehensive range of legal services to businesses entering the UK market under the umbrellas of corporate and commercial law, employment, commercial property and dispute resolution. Our teams have an in-depth knowledge of the UK’s business and legal environment and are conveniently based in the heart of City of London and around the UK. As ‘lawyers ahead of the curve’, we put client relationships at the heart of our business. This means you won’t just know where you stand, but where you are going next and when you are likely to get there. Our corporate team is particularly active working with clients in the Nordic countries, our dispute resolution team in Asia, and the firm also acts as Privy Council agents for the government of Mauritius. Our international work for individuals includes advising on offshore and personal tax planning, private law, family law, custody issues, travel and foreign personal injury claims.
INTERLEGES We are proud to be founding and active members of Interleges, a leading international association of law firms. This enables our firm to provide legal services across global frontiers and ensure our clients are supported in key jurisdictions. Through Interleges, both business organisations and individuals have access to specialist lawyers who have experience in representing clients from different countries.
DOING BUSINESS IN THE UK We deliver a comprehensive range of legal services to businesses entering the UK market under the umbrellas of corporate and commercial law, employment, commercial property and dispute resolution.
We operate in global sectors ranging from Health & Social Care to Retail, Leisure & Hospitality, Technology & Innovation, Life Sciences, Banking & Finance, Real Estate and Charities. Whether you are looking to set up a direct presence in the UK, appoint a sales agent or distributor or are planning a joint venture, our specialist lawyers have the expert local knowledge you need.
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: •
mergers and acquisitions
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joint ventures
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corporate governance
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partnership and shareholder agreements
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distribution, agency and franchise agreements
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commercial contracts and finance
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employment: laws, contracts, permits, termination and redundancy
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business immigration
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intellectual property
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property purchases, sales, leases and development
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commercial dispute resolution and all forms of ADR, including domestic and international arbitration.
LIVING IN THE UK Moving to the UK can present different challenges – whether it’s understanding the UK’s unique labour & employment practices and immigration requirements, navigating an unfamiliar tax regime, managing your wealth or structuring your assets to make the most out of your property investments and manage the impact of breakdowns in personal relationships.
We work with senior executives, business leaders and entrepreneurs across global sectors to manage the legal needs of your business, your family and your own legal needs. We will work with you to anticipate and tackle all aspects of living and working in the UK.
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: •
immigration advice, including sponsorship and compliance
visa
requirements,
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pre-entry tax planning to mitigate potential Income or Capital Gains Tax on worldwide assets
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tax planning for resident, non-domiciled foreign nationals including advice on taxation on the remittance basis
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estate planning, including advice on settling and administering trusts
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property purchases, sales or buy-to-let
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property disputes, including rent issues, payment disputes and joint ownership
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advice on relocation of children to or from the UK
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pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements to protect financially stronger parties from the wide-ranging powers of the English Court
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divorce and asset protection advice for high net worth clients with complex assets located in multiple jurisdictions
OUR OTHER INTERNATIONAL SERVICES INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE AND FAMILY LAW Our family and private client teams have much experience in tracing of, and resolving issues involving international residents and assets; as well as dealing with the lawyers in foreign jurisdictions. We are highly experienced in advising clients on foreign elements in family matters. Our lawyers have worked closely with firms in over 20 jurisdictions to ensure that their clients achieved the best outcome. We have excellent links with foreign members of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) to ensure that you have access to the best advice.
OFFSHORE AND PERSONAL TAXPLANNING FOR EX-PATS AND NON-UK NATIONALS The UK is a popular place to do business, own property, live and raise a family. If you are looking to relocate to the UK or if you are already resident here, the ever increasing complexity of UK tax laws can be overwhelming. We have a team of specialist solicitors who can guide you through these rules in a practical and accessible way.
PERSONAL INJURY TRAVEL AND FOREIGN CLAIMS Encompasses a wide variety of accident and personal injury claims. Our specialist travel and foreign claims team can help you to understand what you are entitled to claim in compensation where the accident happens as a result of someone else’s negligence. Get in touch with our specialist lawyers to find out whether you can make a claim for an accident that took place overseas. It is possible to claim for accidents that occurred both within Europe, and internationally; across the United States, Asia, South America, the Middle East and Australia.
COMMERCIAL AND PRAGMATIC CORPORATE LAWYERS Our corporate lawyers work with clients at all stages of their business lifecycle, from supporting start-ups to developing their platform for success, advising on fundraising and investment, supporting organic growth plans and advising on strategic acquisitions to securing the right deal on an exit.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND ARBITRATION Our specialist dispute resolution lawyers are highly experienced in their field. They work for businesses and individuals to resolve cross-border disputes, including through negotiation, mediation and court action if needed. International organisations with disputes in overseas markets and businesses and individuals with overseas operations and assets will need lawyers who are experienced in managing cross-border disputes and all that this can entail.
EMPLOYMENT
INTERNATIONAL BANKING AND FINANCE
Our employment team specialises in working closely with business owners and HR professionals in all areas of employment law. Your clients might be looking to understand UK employment policies and practices or navigate the UK’s fast changing immigration laws and processes as they look to live, work or start up a business in the UK. Whatever their situation, our specialist employment and business immigration lawyers will help smooth the challenges so clients are not left open to future risk.
Our banking and finance lawyers advise on a wide range of international banking transactions and disputes, acting for both lenders and borrowers. International banks and financial services institutions with operations in overseas markets and dealings with foreign businesses will need lawyers who are experienced in managing national and cross-border transactions, disputes.
OUR RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Acted for a Swedish listed global provider of sustainable energy solutions in its acquisition of the main parts of a UK headquartered target group with operations in six European countries. We drafted the overarching English law share purchase agreement and ancillary documents, dealt with English due diligence and assisted in project managing the transaction with the other overseas law firms.
We also advised the same Swedish listed global provider of sustainable energy solutions on its acquisition of a UK target group with over 20 subsidiaries in Europe and Australasia.
Acted for global pharmaceutical procurement specialist business with bases in Canada, the USA, Singapore and Ireland on its acquisition of a majority shareholding in a UK pharmacy business. The team advised on the full documentation for the share purchase, including SPA, shareholders agreement and articles of association along with restructuring.
Advised Danish shipping company DFDS A/S in condemnation proceedings brought against it by UK Border Force after a shipment was seized for discrepancy in quantity.
Acted for a leading German toy and game company which led an USD 8.5million round of investment into award-winning UK-based publishing start-up.
Acted for various banks in relation to financing the acquisition of hotels and multi-use property sites including Holiday Inn hotels and other property development sites with development and acquisition values up to ÂŁ50million.
We have insolvency expertise and often act for insolvency practitioners and banks giving both contentious and restructuring advice. Recent examples include acting for the liquidators of a 150+ chain of retail stores and advising an Indian bank on the restructuring of their finance with a chemical products distributor with a turnover of over ÂŁ70m.
Drafting worldwide wills for clients with property in the UK, France and Spain, incorporating elections under the EU Succession Regulations to ensure assets pass in accordance with the law of the clients’ nationalities.
Assisting a Scandinavian manufacturer of components to the automobile sector in relation to a big contract with a major German car company. The advice consisted of reviewing and negotiating the contract. An important part of the advice was to make sure that the contract was Brexit proof.
YOUR INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS
JOHN NORTH Partner, Corporate 020 7842 1490 john.north@roydswithyking.com
STEWART WILKINSON Partner, Dispute Resolution 020 7842 1460 stewart.wilkinson@roydswithyking.com
JAMIE LESTER
CLAUS ANDERSEN
RICHARD LAKE
WILL MACFARLANE
Partner, Dispute Resolution 0207 842 1455 jamie.lester@roydswithyking.com
Partner, Corporate 020 7842 1462 claus.andersen@roydswithyking.com
Associate, Real Estate 020 7842 1481 richard.lake@roydswithyking.com
Partner, Family 01225 459 917 will.macfarlane@roydswithyking.com
CAROLINE DORAN MILLETT
MILAN KAPADIA
ZAINAB DARKHIL
PATRICK HART
Partner, Employment & HR 020 7842 1495 caroline.doran@roydswithyking.com
Partner, Dispute Resolution 020 7842 1497 milan.kapadia@roydswithyking.com
Partner, Residential Property 020 7842 1506 zainab.dakhil@roydswithyking.com
Partner, Family 020 7842 1435 patrick.hart@roydswithyking.com
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Royds Withy King LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC361361. Royds Withy King LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The term partner is used to refer to a member of the Royds Withy King LLP or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualification. A list of members is available at the registered office 5-6 Northumberland Buildings, Queen Square, Bath BA1 2JE. Information contained in this communication does not constitute legal advice. All statements are applicable to the laws of England and Wales only.