Company formation, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and corporate governance for foreign investors and businesses.
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Magic Circle law firm — global leader in corporate and finance
Magic Circle firm — global corporate and finance leader
Magic Circle firm with leading M&A and regulatory practice
Magic Circle firm — banking and capital markets leader
Elite London law firm known for corporate and M&A work
Global law firm with leading disputes practice
Global law firm with strong regulatory and corporate practice
Global law firm with energy and insurance focus
Global law firm with strong UK practice
Global law firm with leading finance and arbitration practice
Global law firm with energy and infrastructure focus
UK law firm with infrastructure and energy strength
International law firm with IP and technology expertise
London law firm with real estate and litigation strength
International law firm with financial services focus
European law firm with technology and data protection expertise
Independent London law firm with private client and corporate strength
London law firm with shipping and finance focus
Private client and corporate law firm
Regional UK law firm with insurance and healthcare strength
UK law firm with personal injury and employment strength
UK law firm with employment and media expertise
Major UK law firm with strong international law practice, specializing in immigration, corporate, and property law for foreign nationals.
International law firm with extensive experience serving expats and foreign clients with corporate and tax matters.
Leading London-based law firm specializing in corporate law and international transactions.
UK law firm with immigration and employment law expertise for expats.
Specialized law firm serving international clients with property and family law matters.
Leading law firm serving international business and expat professionals.
Leading Scottish law firm serving international clients and expats across multiple disciplines.
Major Edinburgh law firm with strong international practice serving expats and foreign businesses.
Leading Scottish law firm specializing in corporate and property law for international clients.
Scottish office of international law firm serving expats and multinational businesses.
Major UK law firm with Glasgow office, serving international clients and expats.
Global law firm's Glasgow office serving expats and international businesses.
Leading law firm's Manchester office serving international businesses and expats.
Major UK law firm with strong Manchester presence for corporate and expat matters.
Major law firm's Birmingham office with immigration and corporate law expertise.
International law firm serving multinational corporations and expat professionals.
UK law firm with Liverpool office specializing in immigration and employment law for expats.
Global law firm's Liverpool office serving international clients and expats.
Major law firm serving expats and international businesses in North West England.
Global law firm's Leeds office with strong expat and international practice.
Major law firm with Leeds office specializing in immigration and business law.
Major UK law firm with Bristol office serving international corporate clients.
Global law firm's Bristol office serving expats and international businesses.
Major law firm with Bristol office specializing in immigration law.
Bristol-based law firm serving corporate and international clients.
UK law firm with Bristol office serving corporate clients and expats.
Northern England law firm with strong international corporate practice.
Major law firm with Newcastle office serving expats and businesses.
Global law firm's Newcastle office serving international corporate clients.
Leading Welsh law firm serving corporate and international clients.
Global law firm's Cardiff office serving expats and international businesses.
Major Welsh law firm specializing in corporate law and expat matters.
Leading Welsh law firm serving corporate and international clients across Wales.
Yes — a local lawyer or notary is required for company registration in most European countries. English-speaking corporate lawyers can handle the entire process.
Typical documents include due diligence reports, share purchase agreements, regulatory filings, and shareholder resolutions. Your lawyer will guide you through jurisdiction-specific requirements.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across United Kingdom's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsThe United Kingdom offers one of the fastest and cheapest company formation processes in the world. A private limited company can be incorporated online with Companies House in under 24 hours for £50 (Companies Act 2006 s.9). Scotland, Wales and England share the same Companies Act regime; Northern Ireland incorporates via Companies House Belfast.
| Structure | Formation Cost | Annual Confirmation Statement | Liability | Tax Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Limited Company (Ltd) | £50 online / £71 paper | £34 online / £62 paper | Limited to share capital | Corporation tax on profits |
| Public Limited Company (PLC) | £50 + £500 min share capital | £34 | Limited | Corporation tax on profits |
| Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | £50 online / £71 paper | £34 | Limited (members' agreement) | Partnership income tax (members) |
| General Partnership | Nil | Not required | Unlimited joint & several | Partnership income tax (partners) |
| Sole Trader | Nil (HMRC registration) | Not required | Unlimited personal | Income tax + Class 2/4 NIC |
| Branch of Overseas Company | £71 (OS IN01) | £34 (OS AR01) | Parent liable | UK-source profits taxed |
| Profits Band | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| £0 – £50,000 | 19% (Small Profits Rate) | Finance (No. 2) Act 2023 |
| £50,001 – £249,999 | Marginal Relief | Effective rate 19–25%; formula: CT × (1 – (F × (U-A)/(U×N))) |
| £250,000 and above | 25% (Main Rate) | Applies from April 2023 |
Associated companies reduce the thresholds proportionally (e.g. 2 associated companies: thresholds halved to £25,000 / £125,000). R&D Merged Scheme (from April 2024): 20% above-the-line credit on qualifying expenditure, replacing RDEC and SME R&D relief (Finance Act 2024 Part 2).
| Threshold | Regime | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| UK turnover of target > £70m OR combined share > 25% | Competition Act 1998 / Enterprise Act 2002 (CMA merger review) | Competition and Markets Authority |
| Turnover trigger (Phase 2): substantial lessening of competition | EA 2002 Part 3 | CMA |
| National security: critical sectors, acquirer ownership > 25% | National Security and Investment Act 2021 (mandatory notification for 17 sectors) | Cabinet Office / Investment Security Unit |
| FCA Change of Control (20%+) for regulated firms | Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 Part XII | Financial Conduct Authority |
| Takeover Panel jurisdiction (listed companies, residency test) | City Code on Takeovers and Mergers | Panel on Takeovers and Mergers |
The dividend allowance reduced to £500 in April 2024 (from £1,000 in 2023/24; £2,000 in 2022/23). Above the allowance: basic rate 8.75%, higher rate 33.75%, additional rate 39.35% (ITA 2007 s.13A). The tax efficiency advantage of operating through a limited company vs sole trader has narrowed substantially since 2016 due to successive allowance reductions and the increased corporation tax rate.
A US-headquartered SaaS company acquired a London-based Ltd for £8.5 million. Filing: SDLT on share purchase — nil (SDLT does not apply to share sales, unlike asset purchases where SDLT applies to UK land). NSI Act 2021 mandatory notification filed (target operated in AI sector — Schedule 1 category). CMA informed (turnover below threshold). Companies House Form AP01 for new director; SH01 for share allotment. Completion accounts mechanism with 18-month warranty period. FCA not triggered (non-regulated business). Total legal and advisory costs: approximately £420,000.
