Articles of Association
Our solicitors work with you to produce tailored articles of association that reflect your business vision, structure, and growth plans.
Talk to one of our team members on 03300297347
Articles of association are a vital part of any company’s legal foundation. They set out the rules for how your business is run, govern the relationship between shareholders and directors, and ensure smooth decision-making and compliance.
Our corporate solicitors regularly advise on complex and bespoke matters such as employee shareholder exit provisions, growth share schemes, and tax-efficient share structuring. We can help you draft articles of association that not only reflect your business goals and culture but also handle the nuances of ownership, governance, and future growth.
Whether you’re starting a new venture or looking to revise existing documents, our corporate solicitors at Slater Heelis can help you draft bespoke articles of association that align with your goals, reflect your company culture, and support your long-term strategy.
Our Corporate solicitors have a strong reputation and a proven track record of success providing legal support across industries, reflected in their Tier 1 ranking in for Corporate/M&A in the independently researched Chambers directory.
If you’d like to speak to one of our solicitors, fill out the adjacent contact form or call 03300 297 347.
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What Are Articles of Association?
Articles of association are a legal document that outlines the internal rules and procedures for running a company. These include:
- The rights and responsibilities of directors and shareholders
- Processes for decision-making, voting and meetings
- Shareholder rights and transfers of shares
- Dividend distribution and financial arrangements
- Director appointments, removals and powers
Every company must have articles of association when incorporated. While many companies adopt the model articles provided by Companies House, these are often generic and may not suit the specific needs or structure of your business.
Why Bespoke Articles Matter
Off-the-shelf templates rarely provide the clarity or flexibility needed to manage business relationships, safeguard minority interests, or adapt to future growth. Bespoke articles of association ensure that your company is built on a robust legal framework that:
- Reduces risk of disputes and misunderstandings
- Clearly defines roles and responsibilities
- Enhances investor confidence
- Supports your commercial objectives
- Provides flexibility for future changes or restructuring
While it is possible to adopt default model articles or draft your own, doing so without legal guidance can create hidden risks. Poorly drafted or unsuitable articles can lead to shareholder disputes, difficulties in raising capital, or even regulatory breaches. By instructing experienced corporate solicitors, you ensure precision and clarity in your company’s constitution, protection of shareholder interests while futureproofing for growth, exit or succession planning
How Our Solicitors Can Help
We don’t just fill in a template — we take the time to understand your company’s structure, ownership, culture, and ambitions.
Our corporate law team will:
- Work with you to understand your short- and long-term business goals
- Draft bespoke articles from the ground up, tailored to your business
- Review and amend existing articles to reflect new circumstances or priorities
- Coordinate with your shareholders and directors
At Slater Heelis, we frequently advise on:
- Good leaver/bad leaver provisions to manage exits of employee shareholders
- Drag along and tag along rights to protect minority shareholders and streamline exits
- Growth shares to reduce valuations for new investors or employee participation
- Freezer shares for tax planning, including Family Investment Companies
- Dividend tailoring across different share classes for efficient tax outcomes
- Employee option share classes, typically non-voting and non-dividend bearing until an exit
We also ensure these articles align with other key company documents such as shareholders’ agreements, option agreements, and cross-option agreements to ensure a joined-up approach to governance and shareholder protections.
Whether you need new articles for incorporation, changes following investment, or a full governance review, our team can guide you every step of the way.
A Fully Bespoke, Strategic Service
No two businesses are the same, which is why our approach to articles of association is never one-size-fits-all. We work closely with directors, founders, shareholders and investors to create documents that work in practice, not just on paper.
As a full-service law firm, we also provide seamless support in related areas such as shareholder agreements, restructuring, investment, and commercial contracts.
To speak with one of our experienced corporate solicitors about articles of association, contact us today. Call us on 03330 606 026 or fill in our contact form to arrange a consultation with our corporate law team.
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If you need expert advice on corporate matters, we’re here to help. Contact us today to discuss your situation with one of our experienced solicitors.
