Independent London shop with its owner reviewing paperwork at the counter before opening

For business

Commercial and small-business legal services in London

Ace Counsel helps London startups, retailers, freelancers and small companies put clear contracts in place and resolve disputes before costs grow.

Start with the contract.

Talk through your matter

Prefer to call? +44 7700 078234

Printed sales contract with handwritten margin notes beside a laptop on a small business desk

Clear trading terms

Terms, conditions and commercial contracts

Set out how customers pay, when work is accepted and what happens if an order is cancelled. We draft website and sales terms, service agreements and standard trading conditions.

Already have a set? A focused review can identify the clauses that need changing, including payment terms, liability limits and cancellation provisions.

Clear terms save time.

Ask about contract drafting

Small workshop owner checking boxed components against a supplier delivery sheet on a workbench

Working with suppliers

Supplier and service agreements

Write down the scope, deliverables and acceptance process before work begins. The agreement can also set service levels and clarify what each party must provide.

Liability caps, indemnities, subcontracting and termination terms should reflect the value and risks of the arrangement. We make those provisions understandable and usable.

Set the limits early.

Two small-business founders discussing ownership notes and company documents around a meeting table

Ownership and setup

Shareholder, partnership and formation documents

A shareholder agreement can set rules for deadlock, share transfers and decisions reserved to the owners. We also prepare partnership agreements and LLP documents, and can coordinate company formation paperwork with your accountant. Agree the rules first.

Business owners and advisers reviewing a disputed service agreement together at a quiet meeting table

Disputes and claims

Director disputes and breach of contract

Deadlock, director removal and unfair prejudice can put a company under pressure. We assess the available options and keep a commercial outcome in view.

For a breach of contract claim, we look at the evidence, likely prospects and costs before proceedings are issued. Negotiated settlement may be the sensible first step.

Act before positions harden.

Read about claims and disputes

Overdue business invoices and payment correspondence arranged beside a calculator in a London office

Unpaid invoices

Debt recovery for London businesses

We can set out the next steps in writing, with costs and likely timescales explained before you proceed. The route depends on the debt, the documents and the response from the customer.

Letter before action setting out the amount due
Payment discussions and settlement terms
County court claim where appropriate
Enforcement options and likely timescales

Know the next step.

Small business owner preparing company papers and a written enquiry at a desk near a London shop window

Speak with us

Talk through your business matter

Tell us what your company does, what needs attention and any deadline you are facing. We can also coordinate with your accountant or other advisers.

Send the key details.

+44 7700 078234

[email protected]

White Hart Street, London, SE11 4EN