Expert corporate legal services for businesses ready to grow, restructure, or plan for the future.
Running a business means making decisions that shape your company’s direction. Whether you’re buying another business, bringing in investors, restructuring your ownership, or planning your exit, you need corporate lawyers who understand what’s at stake. We’re here to make sure your next move is the right one.
Get a free, no-obligation chat with our corporate and commercial team, call us on 02920 829 100 or use our Contact us form.
Excellent rating by Review Solicitors | Ranked in Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.
Your business is more than just a company. It’s years of hard work, relationships you’ve built, and plans for where you want to go next. When corporate transactions or governance decisions come up, you need solicitors who get that.
We work with owner-managed businesses, SMEs, and growing companies across Wales and throughout the UK. Our corporate team handles everything from straightforward share purchases to complex restructures and management buyouts. We’ve helped businesses ranging from family companies planning succession to ambitious firms acquiring competitors.
What sets us apart? You’ll work directly with the corporate lawyer handling your matter. No gatekeepers, no layers of people before you reach someone who can actually help. We give you clear options, explain the risks honestly, and help you make decisions that fit your commercial goals.
Looking for straightforward corporate advice at a fair price? Let’s talk about what you’re planning.
Get a free, no-obligation chat with our corporate and commercial team, call us on 02920 829 100 or use our Contact us form.
Our corporate solicitors advise on the full range of company law matters. Whether you’re growing through acquisition, bringing in investment, or preparing your business for sale, we’ll guide you through the legal side so you can focus on the commercial decisions.
Buying or selling a business is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. We act for buyers, sellers, and their investors on share purchases, asset sales, and business transfers.
Our M&A lawyers handle the entire transaction from initial discussions through to completion. We’ll conduct due diligence, negotiate the deal terms, draft the sale documents, and manage the process to keep things moving. We’re straight with you about what the other side might push back on and how to protect your position.
We can help with:
View more on Mergers and Acquisitions
Whether you’re raising capital to expand, taking on equity investors, or restructuring your company’s funding, we’ll help you get the deal structured properly from the start.
Our corporate finance solicitors work with business owners, investors, and funders on a range of transactions. We understand that getting money into your business quickly matters, so we work efficiently without cutting corners on the legal protections you need.
We can help with:
Clear agreements between shareholders prevent disputes down the line. We draft shareholder agreements that set out everyone’s rights and obligations from the start, covering everything from decision-making to exit routes.
Our company law solicitors also advise on day-to-day governance matters, helping directors understand their duties and keeping your company compliant with Companies House requirements.
We can help with:
View more on Shareholder Agreements
Sometimes businesses need to reorganise their structure. This might be for tax efficiency, to prepare for a sale, to bring in new shareholders, or simply because the current setup no longer fits how the business operates.
We advise on all types of corporate restructuring, from simple share reorganisations to complex group restructures involving multiple companies.
We can help with:
Going into business with another party brings opportunities and risks. We help you structure joint ventures and partnerships that protect your interests while creating a framework for the venture to succeed.
We can help with:
If you’ve built a business, planning how you’ll eventually step away matters. Whether that’s passing the company to family members, selling to your management team, or finding an external buyer, we help you plan ahead.
Early planning gives you more options and often means a better outcome. We work with business owners to understand their goals and put the right structures in place.
We can help with:
Choosing a law firm is a big decision. You want experts who actually get you and your organisation, respond when you need them, and give you straight answers. That’s us. We’re one of Wales’ leading commercial law firms for corporate and commercial law, and we do things a little differently.
You won’t be passed through layers of gatekeepers here. When you call, you’ll speak to the solicitor handling your matter. You’ll have their direct dial, their email, and a genuine working relationship. Our clients tell us this makes all the difference.
We don’t work in silos. Our team shares knowledge across departments, jumps in on each other’s projects, and stays close to every case. So if your usual contact is unavailable, someone else can step in quickly, without a formal handover and without missing a beat. Better continuity for you, and faster results all round.
Devolved decision-making and flexible working hours mean we can move at pace. You’ll get faster responses. We’re set up for exactly that.
Getting to know our clients properly matters to us. Face-to-face meetings, regular catch-ups, networking events, and yes, the occasional dinner. We bring clients and referrers into our offices, get out to visit yours, and put real effort into building lasting partnerships. Plenty of larger firms aren’t prepared to do that. We are.
You’ll always get the full picture from us. Clear options, each with its own risk level, so you can make informed decisions. No sugar-coating, no hedging. Just practical, commercial guidance and high-quality legal work at a fair price.
We’re the leading commercial law firm with offices in South and North Wales offering Welsh language legal services at every level, from trainees right through to partners. This isn’t an add-on or a tick-box exercise. It’s part of who we are, and it’s earned us a strong reputation, particularly in employment law.
Excellent rating by Review Solicitors | Ranked in Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.
Every corporate transaction is different, but our approach stays consistent. Here’s what to expect when you work with us:
Step 1: Initial Discussion
We’ll start with a conversation about what you’re looking to achieve and the corporate law services that we offer. This helps us understand your goals, timelines, and any specific concerns. We’ll give you an honest view of the process ahead and whether we’re the right fit.
Typically takes: One meeting or call
Step 2: Scoping and Quote
Once we understand your matter, we’ll set out clearly what work is involved and provide a fee estimate. We don’t hide costs. You’ll know what you’re paying for before we start.
Typically takes: 2-3 working days
Step 3: Due Diligence and Preparation
For transactions, this is where we dig into the detail. We’ll review documents, identify issues, and flag anything that needs addressing. We keep you updated throughout so there are no surprises.
Timing varies by transaction complexity
Step 4: Negotiation and Documentation
We’ll draft or review the legal documents, negotiate terms with the other side, and work through any issues that arise. Our aim is to protect your interests while keeping the deal moving forward.
Timing depends on deal complexity and other parties
Step 5: Completion and Beyond
We’ll coordinate completion, make sure all documents are properly signed and filed, and handle any post-completion matters. We stay in touch after the deal closes to help with anything that comes up.
We’re here for the long term
We believe in transparent pricing. Corporate work varies hugely in complexity, so we’ll always discuss fees upfront and agree an approach that works for you.
How we charge:
Fixed fees – For straightforward matters like shareholder agreements or company formations, we can often agree a fixed price so you know exactly what you’re paying.
Capped fees – For transactions where the scope is fairly clear, we may agree a fee cap to give you budget certainty.
Hourly rates – For complex or unpredictable matters, we charge by the hour but keep you regularly updated on costs.
Blended approaches – Sometimes a combination works best, with fixed fees for certain stages and hourly rates for others.
We’re always happy to discuss fees before you commit to anything. Get in touch for a quote.
We were delighted with the service from Darwin Gray. The service was both professional and personable; a genuine pleasure to deal with. A big thank you to the corporate team who supported us in raising our seed round. Their experience and expert advice was invaluable as we navigated a complicated deal with a number of parties, and we will be forever grateful to them for their exceptional service.
They provide sensible and pragmatic advice. Legal 500
They are flexible and responsive. Legal 500
Their advice was always clearly explained in plain language that we could understand. It was great that Steve was able to meet with us in person at our North Wales and Birkenhead locations. The legal documentation that Emily prepared was accompanied by helpful explanatory notes making it easier to understand the purpose and meaning of the provisions. She responded promptly to queries with clear and helpful answers. We would highly recommend Darwin Gray for their excellent professional service and friendly approach. Ainsley Gommon Architects
A corporate solicitor advises businesses on legal matters relating to company ownership, structure, and transactions. This includes helping with buying and selling businesses, bringing in investors, reorganising share capital, drafting shareholder agreements, and ensuring companies comply with company law requirements. We work on everything from setting up new companies to managing complex multi-million pound deals. Our role is to protect your interests, explain your options clearly, and help you achieve your commercial objectives.
Corporate lawyers focus on matters relating to company structure and ownership, like M&A deals, shareholder agreements, and corporate governance. Commercial lawyers typically handle contracts and agreements that relate to how a business operates day-to-day, such as supplier contracts, terms of business, and service agreements.
Costs vary depending on the complexity of your matter. A straightforward shareholder agreement might be a few thousand pounds on a fixed fee basis, while a business sale or acquisition could run into tens of thousands depending on the deal size and complexity. We’re always upfront about costs and will give you a clear estimate before starting work. Contact us for a quote specific to your situation.
Timescales vary significantly depending on the deal’s complexity, due diligence requirements, and how quickly all parties can make decisions. A straightforward share sale might complete in 6-8 weeks, while more complex transactions can take several months. We’ll give you a realistic timeline for your specific transaction and keep things moving as efficiently as possible.
If your company has more than one shareholder, we’d strongly recommend it. Your company’s articles of association cover the basics, but a shareholder agreement lets you agree specific arrangements around decision-making, dividends, share transfers, and what happens if shareholders fall out or want to leave. It’s much easier and cheaper to agree these things upfront than to sort them out during a dispute.
Due diligence is the process of investigating a business before you buy it or invest in it. It typically covers the company’s legal documents, contracts, property, employees, accounts, and any potential liabilities. The purpose is to understand what you’re buying, identify any risks, and inform the price and deal terms. We’ll guide you through what’s needed and flag any issues we find.
Yes. While we’re proudly Welsh and headquartered in Cardiff with an office in Bangor, we advise businesses across the UK on corporate matters. Many of our clients operate nationally or have interests outside Wales. Company law is consistent across England and Wales, so location rarely affects the practical advice we give.
When you buy shares, you’re buying the company itself, including all its assets, contracts, employees, and liabilities. When you buy assets, you’re only buying specific things from the company, such as equipment, stock, or goodwill, leaving the company behind. Each approach has different tax, legal, and practical implications. We’ll help you work out which structure makes sense for your situation.
Preparation can significantly affect the price you achieve and how smoothly the sale runs. We’d recommend getting your corporate documents in order, ensuring contracts are properly documented, resolving any outstanding disputes, and addressing any issues a buyer’s due diligence might flag. Starting this process 12-24 months before you plan to sell gives you time to improve your position. We can advise on sale readiness and help you prepare.
Company directors have legal duties under the Companies Act 2006. These include acting in the company’s best interests, exercising reasonable care and skill, avoiding conflicts of interest, and not accepting benefits from third parties. Directors can face personal liability if they breach these duties. We advise directors on their obligations and help them navigate difficult decisions, particularly when companies face financial difficulties or shareholder disputes.
Yes. Shareholder disputes can be damaging to businesses and relationships. We can advise on your rights and options, whether that’s negotiating a settlement, pursuing a share buyout, or taking formal legal action. Our aim is always to find a practical solution that protects your interests while minimising disruption to the business.
a: 9 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9HA
t:Â 02920 829 100
Located in the heart of Cardiff’s business district, our head office is easily accessible by car and public transport. We can provide a Cardiff registered office address for your company.
a: Unit F12, InTec, Ffordd y Parc, Parc Menai, Bangor, LL57 4FG
t:Â 01248 301 100
Our North Wales office serves businesses across the region, offering the same legal expertise and direct access to our corporate team.
We also advise clients throughout England and Wales, meeting by video call or visiting your premises as needed.
Whether you’re planning a transaction, need advice on a corporate matter, or just want to understand your options, we’re here to help.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation chat to see if we can help you. You’ll speak directly to a corporate lawyer who can discuss your situation and explain how we might work together.
Call us on 02920 829 100 or use our Contact us form.
We aim to respond to all enquiries within one working day.
To speak to one of our experts today, please contact us on 02920 829 100 or by using our Contact Us form for a free initial chat to see how we can help.
02920 829 100 
