A law firm for life
Business Start-up Services

Business Start-up Services

To give your venture the best chance of success, you will need to address all the legal and financial aspects of starting a business carefully.

At The McKinstry Company, we work with a diverse range of start-ups throughout Ayrshire and the South West of Scotland. We can help you get your business off the ground, ensuring that all legal requirements are dealt with thoroughly. Get in touch with us today.

Legal Advice for Start-Ups, Ayrshire & Dumfries and Galloway

With 35 years of experience advising businesses of all sizes and types, The McKinstry Company can provide dynamic, forward-thinking, commercially-focussed advice on all aspects of starting a new venture. We can provide guidance on matters such as:

  • Legal business formats
  • Directors’ responsibilities
  • Partnerships
  • Employment law
  • Health and safety
  • Duty of care
  • Civil and criminal liability
  • Data protection legislation
  • Intellectual property
  • Trademarks
  • Copyright

Developing a Business Plan

Having a thorough business plan is essential, providing a road map for your future and helping you secure funding from banks or investors. Your plan should include:

  • An executive summary highlighting key points that will capture people’s attention
  • Market research outlining your analysis of the market place and demonstrating the viability of your venture
  • Competitor analysis showing the strengths and weaknesses of others operating in your sector

Deciding on Your Legal Trading Status

At the outset, you will need to choose the legal trading status of your start-up. Different structures come with advantages and disadvantages – our solicitors can provide you with specialist knowledge and support, taking the time to meet with you and discuss your plans in detail. We can then advise on the most appropriate structure for you.

Sole Trader

Setting up as a sole trader offers you a higher degree of independence and simplicity when it comes to setting up and running your business. However, you should be aware that you might find yourself lacking essential support, and you will be personally liable for any debts.

Partnership

Partnerships are straightforward to set up and run and offer support from other partners with different skills and experience. However, disagreements between partners can occur, and all partners are liable for debts.

Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

LLPs offer the flexibility of a partnership with reduced risk but can be more complex and costlier to operate than other structures.

Limited Liability Company

With a limited liability company, your financial risk is restricted to the amount you invest in the business and guarantee in terms of loan funding, but this brings with it a range of legal duties which include the filing of statutory documents and accounts at Companies House.

Raising Finance

We can advise on finance solutions, including:

  • Self-financing
  • Outside investment
  • Grants and government funding
  • Bank financing, including loans and overdrafts

Contact our Experienced Start-up Lawyers Ayrshire & South West Scotland

For expert advice on starting a business, contact our Business Law team on 01292 438530 or complete our online enquiry form.

Ayr Sandgate

Queen’s Court House
39 Sandgate
Ayr, Ayrshire
KA7 1BE

01292 281711
enquiries@mckinstry.co.uk

  • Disability access
  • Parking close by

Girvan

146-148 Dalrymple Street
Girvan, Ayrshire
KA26 9BQ

01465 713118
enquiries@mckinstry.co.uk

  • Disability access
  • Parking close by
Join the McKinstry family
Some of our happy clients

  • Really helpful and friendly always replied to calls and emails. Thank you very much for all your help and advice and hard work.

    Mr S, Auchinleck

  • First class throughout 100% better than last time we moved house and used a different firm. Always responded to promptly with appropriate detailed replies. First Class

    Mr N, Ayr

  • Thank you for the support during a difficult time.

    Mrs M, Ayr

  • Every email was timely and actioned quickly. Kirsty and Libby were exceptional to deal with. They kept me informed in a timely manner with the added complication of our sale being carried out whilst we are currently based in America.

    Anon.

  • My emails were always responded to in a timely manner no matter who I was dealing with. Thank you to Nat and Kirsty who helped throughout our move and during some difficult times when lock down was first announced! They have both been great.

    Miss K, Dalry

  • Everything was done extremely professionally.

    Mrs G, Ayr

  • Very happy with the way my case has been dealt with despite working restrictions due covid 19 - thank you. Calls & emails always responded to within reasonable timescale. Very impressed with lawyers and staff I have dealt with during current case and previous divorce case very friendly and efficient.

    Mrs H, Ayr

  • All very prompt, efficient, clear, friendly and personable. Not overwhelming with legal jargon. Many thanks for making the process of setting up a will so straightforward.

    Mrs D, Troon

  • We required our Wills to be amended and that was done without any problems whatsoever.

    Mrs F, Ayr

  • Very business-like and helpful

    Mr M, Ayr

  • I was very impressed with the professionalism shown by all members of staff I had any dealing with. All calls and emails were relevant to the sale of my flat. All questions I had were dealt with at the time. For any further legal matters I will certainly be using The McKinstry Company

    Mr H, Ayr

  • Excellent service most happy with attentiveness and customer service.

    Mr F, Condorrat

  • Nat & Libby efficiently dealt with every question I had.

    Mrs K, Ayr

  • Kirsty understood our weird schedule when we were often 8 hours behind UK time, and simplified things for us by liaising via email. She was extremely approachable and dependable. In Kirsty’s absence, Jodie and Nathaniel would step in and communicate with us, and were very helpful too.

    Mrs N, Ayr

  • Great service and always on hand to answer our questions. Prompt and efficient response.

    Mr H, Ferniegair

  • Questions and communication were answered promptly

    Mr W, Sinclairston

  • Speaking from my own personal experience I was perfectly happy with the service I received. Everything was done to my satisfaction.

    Mrs I, Largs

  • Very efficient, timely and very mannerly on the phone

    Mr McN, Mauchline

  • The service was superb.  Kirsty and team were extremely helpful.

    Mr and Mrs R, Ayr

  • First class service from start till finish. Always there to give help and advice.

    Mr R, Ayr

  • Great service and advice from a good professional company.

    Mr R, Kilmarnock

  • Excellent, very friendly and professional. I will be using you for all my property transactions in the future!

    Mrs S, Godstone

  • My case was handled sensitively and smoothly.

    Mr N, Ayr

  • Everyone concerned in the sale of our property was very efficient and kept us up to date with all happenings.

    D Ferguy, Cookstown

  • Great service.  Would recommend you to others.

    Mr S, Kirkmichael

  • Communication was always available when required. Made me feel confident throughout the process.

    Mr L, Ayr

  • Always replied or phoned back when I needed my questions answered.

    Miss McF, Patna

  • A very prompt and friendly service, a pleasure to deal with.

    Mr R, Aberdeen

  • Robert was very supportive.

    M Carruthers, Kilmarnock.

  • Great, Rebecca was very pleasant to deal with and went out of her way to help with our case

    S Everett, Kilbarchan

  • The solicitor / paralegal I was dealing with was very professional and performed to a high standard. I was very impressed.

    B Ferguson, Methil

  • Local firm, word of mouth good reports.

    K Rooney, Glasgow

  • All queries were dealt with in a prompt and professional manner and I was kept informed of progress as events developed. Thank you very much for making a difficult situation much easier to deal with.

    Mrs McG, Ayr

  • Communication via telephone and email was regular, prompt and comprehensive. All queries and questions were answered with no delays or problems. My experience with the McKinstry Company was pleasant and smooth.

    Mr McK, Ayr

  • My family and I received excellent service from everyone with whom we had contact. The service was of the highest standard and, as I have in the past, I will continue to recommend the company to anyone seeking legal assistance.

    Mrs S, Ayr

  • All emails and calls were dealt with promptly. Very impressed. Very very pleased with service.

    Mr and Mrs H, Hull

  • I enjoy the friendly atmosphere. Very professional.

    Mrs A, Ayr

  • Mr Honeyman was very professional and knowledgeable which made us feel reassured. Very happy with the service and if I needed a solicitor again I would get in touch.

    Mr B, Ardrossan

  • Prompt quick efficient communication.

    Mrs K, Cumnock

  • Ease of making appointments and timescale for completion of business all good.

    Mr & Mrs T, Maybole

  • Gave reassurance and comfort at a stressful time. I felt ten times better after our first meeting and support provided ultimately exceeded my desired outcome.

    Mr N, Saltcoats

  • The supportive way that the advice was provided along with the willingness to fit appointments in with our requirements

    Mr R, Ayr

  • The whole process was handled with upmost professionalism throughout.

    Mr McN, Kilwinning
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