How Can Solicitors Help Me?

We’d all like life to be completely straightforward and hassle-free, but chances are that you will require the assistance of a solicitor on certain occasions. From buying or selling property, to divorce proceedings or drafting a will, there are a multitude of life events that every single person goes through and it helps massively to have a legal professional on your side.

A fully qualified solicitor will offer all of the above services and much more (unless they specialise in a certain sector). They can help you navigate through all of the complicated legal jargon, and will be there to fight on your behalf if the situation becomes convoluted or requires court action. From unfair dismissal claims to evicting a tenant, this blog will cover how to know when it’s time to contact a legal professional, as well as go on to outline the various matters that any experienced solicitor can assist you with.



When Should I Contact a Solicitor?

In some situations, knowing when it’s time to contact a solicitor is simple: if you are charged with a crime, filing for a divorce or have been in a major car accident, it’s pretty obvious that legal representation is a necessity. But what if you’re feeling bullied by a work colleague? Or a tenant has misused your property? At what point should you get a solicitor involved?

The main question that you need to ask yourself if you are considering contacting a solicitor is: “what is at stake?”. If your situation is likely to affect or has already affected, your personal finances, assets, freedoms, or your health and well-being, it is more than reasonable for you to seek legal assistance. Even a complaint filed by a disgruntled ex-employee that contains false information can be a huge blow to your reputation and finances.

As a general rule, in situations where you feel that you cannot realistically solve the issue yourself, it is likely appropriate to contact a solicitor. You may even be able to obtain a free, no obligation consultation with a legal professional, who will be able to determine whether they can help you with your case and offer some preliminary advice.

If you do decide that legal help is the best course of action for your situation, then ideally you should contact a solicitor as soon as possible. Depending on your issue, there could be certain time constraints that you need to abide by when filing a case - they can vary depending on your location and a number of other factors. On top of this, witnesses move, memories fade and evidence can be more difficult to secure as time goes on, so it’s important to be prompt. Solicitors will also need sufficient time to prepare before any legal proceedings can take place, therefore the earlier you enlist someone the more time you give them to build your case.

What Legal Issues Can Paddle & Cocks’ Solicitors Assist Me With?

Paddle & Cocks LLP is a law firm made up of a team of highly experienced solicitors who provide a nationwide legal service with a specialisation in business law. Our solicitors are versed in a variety of sectors and can assist with a vast range of legal matters. Below are just a few of the areas that clients can expect to receive assistance with upon selecting Paddle & Cocks as their chosen law firm.

Corporate Law

Our extensive knowledge of the corporate sphere puts us at a great advantage in comparison to other law firms with less experience. Not only do we fully understand the benefits of good corporate governance, but we are also able to provide expert advice on sales, purchases, investment opportunities and shareholder relations. We can advise on the following:

●     All aspects of business sales and purchases through the legal due diligence process, the minefield of warranties, indemnities and disclosure, the drafting of necessary minutes and resolution to approve the transaction, as well as the main transaction documents themselves.

●     All manner of shareholder and partnership agreements, with the aim of establishing solid foundations to help businesses grow and to avoid expensive conflicts arising between founders as the business evolves over time.

●     Various types of security solutions wherein part of the purchase price is to be made by way of deferred payment over a period of time, whether this be unsecured personal guarantees, legal charges over property, debentures or the issue of loan notes.

●     Articles of Association, drafting of minutes and resolutions and keeping your company’s statutory registers.

In addition to all of the above, we also have personal experience when it comes to setting up and running a business, making us pragmatic and commercially-oriented as well as legally-versed. Most importantly, we understand that each transaction is completely different and should be handled as such, taking into account the needs of the various parties involved. We pride ourselves on tailoring our services to ensure that clients receive a proportionate benefit, considering the costs and risks involved to enable them to make informed choices along the way. 

Intellectual Property & Copyright Infringement

As an individual in the creative sector or a business, it is your ideas, designs and unique output that serves to be the foundation of your professional success and brand identity. If any of these are copied or unlawfully distributed, you could find yourself in jeopardy.

Here at Paddle & Cocks, our solicitors will work to protect your intellectual property from the outset and, should another party copy or redistribute your work, the situation shall be dealt with accordingly. Our work focuses on trademark and copyright infringements, design rights, passing off claims, intellectual property licensing and assignment. Some of the steps we take to resolve your case include:

●     Offering advice on the merits of your claim and defending it.

●     Negotiating settlements and advising on strategy.

●     Dealing with court proceedings in respect of the same, particularly in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC).

●     Resolving disputes through arbitration, expert determination and mediation.

●     Drafting, reviewing and negotiating assignments and licences related to intellectual property, including database rights, trademarks and patents.

●     Advising on the structure of disposal of intellectual property and sub-licensing.

Commercial Dispute Resolutions

Because of the diversity of the corporate landscape, commercial disputes are extremely common in all areas of business operations. Enterprises at all levels and sizes face issues with stakeholders, competitors, clients and suppliers. If left unresolved, however, these disagreements can potentially lead to more serious internal problems, such as partnership disputes and shareholder activism.

Disputes can be time consuming, financially draining and even damaging to a company’s reputation. For these reasons, the solicitors at Paddle & Cocks take a pragmatic approach to all dispute resolutions - avoiding court proceedings and reaching a solution with minimal disruption and cost.

If court proceedings do become necessary, we can provide legal guidance every step of the way. We have a wealth of experience with managing high-value, complex dispute cases across a range of sectors, including:

●     Partnership, company and contractual disputes.

●     Banking and financial disputes.

●     Shareholder’s actions.

●     Cross jurisdictional claims, enforcement of foreign judgements.

●     Commercial property litigation - residential and commercial landlord and tenant possession claims.

●     Agricultural disputes.

●     Professional negligence.

●     Engineering and construction disputes.

●     Intellectual property disputes.

●     Commercial defamation.

●     Disputes in the utilities sector.

●     Warranty claims and disputes in connection with share sales and company assets.

Employment Law for Employees: Constructive Dismissal & Discrimination

One of a business's most valued assets is its employees, but despite this, issues nonetheless arise wherein you might need legal representation. At Paddle & Cocks, our experienced employment solicitors will work to fight your corner and achieve the desired outcome for cases including:

●     Wrongful or constructive dismissal.

●     Settlement agreements.

●     Grievance, disciplinary and capability.

●     Reorganisation and redundancy.

●     Discrimination of any kind.

●     Confidential information.

●     Whistleblowing.

●     Representation for employee tribunals.

●     Bonus disputes.

Commercial Real Estate

Our team of solicitors at Paddle & Cocks are experienced in advising on all aspects of commercial property law. From the acquisition of small office spaces to the purchasing of much larger properties like hotels and freehold land, we are well-versed in the complexities of the process. We are capable of assisting you with some of the following transactions:

●     Property management.

●     Lease renewals.

●     Rent reviews.

●     Dilapidations.

●     Claims for possession.

●     Buying and selling real estate.

●     Landlord’s consent to alter or assign leases.

●     Surrenders of commercial leases.

●     Evicting a tenant.

We operate our commercial real estate services across a wide variety of sectors - everything from agriculture to healthcare and hospitality.

Choose Paddle & Cocks LLP for Bespoke Legal Assistance

When you’ve made the decision to pursue legal action - whether this be your very first time or an action you’ve performed multiple times - it is crucial to find a solicitor that is communicative, reliable and, above all, well-versed in the field of law your case pertains to. At Paddle & Cocks LLP, our team of highly experienced solicitors provides a comprehensive legal service that is friendly, personalised to the needs of your case and prioritises an unflinching standard of quality. Based in Truro, London and Birmingham, we are capable of assisting clients nationwide and internationally. Please get in touch to find out more about how we can help.