Drafting Articles of Association

Our solicitors are vastly experienced in assisting companies of all sizes to facilitate and advise upon the options available when drafting articles of association. At Blackstone Solicitors, we are able to advise many different types of client in drafting the articles of association for a company, no matter the complexity of the documentation required.

For more information about how our team of corporate solicitors can help draft your articles of association, contact us on 0345 901 0445 or complete our online enquiry form and a member of the team will call you back at a convenient time.

Our Approach

More commonly known as articles, articles of association are one of the constitutional documents of a company which set out the basic management and administrative structure of the business. They regulate the internal affairs of the company including the issue and transfer of shares, board and shareholder meetings, powers and duties of directors, dividends, and the ability of the business to borrow money. The articles are a public document open to inspection at Companies House.

Blackstone Solicitors are known for our efficiency, attention to detail and ability to get things done; qualities much needed when drafting articles of association. We will provide professional, pragmatic advice based on our years of experience in this specialist area.

Our team will do all that is necessary to ensure you are properly represented in any documentation and will put your interests first at all times. The articles of association in a business can be highly technical and can sometimes involve different areas of law and regulations; we can advise on all these areas and make sure you are in the best possible position for a successful outcome in drafting this important document.

Why Legal Help is Important

It should be remembered that articles of association are required in companies of any size and in any industry.

The process can be complex, potentially stressful and can be considered to be an incredibly important document that will have an impact on you and the business, both in the short and long term – it is therefore imperative that you have the best legal experts at your side, not only to ensure everything progresses as it should but also to make sure both you and the business benefits from the best possible outcome.

Our Services

It is essential that the articles are contained in a single document and are divided into paragraphs numbered consecutively. We will ensure that they do not conflict with the shareholder’s agreement and your normal business practice. Companies House does provide model articles but companies are free to draft their own depending on their own business needs.

The format of articles covers five essential areas:

Limited liability of shareholders – a fixed sum limited to the nominal value of their shares.
The number of directors, their powers and responsibilities and procedures for decision making.
Rights attaching to particular shares, issues and transfers of shares, payments of dividends and other dealings with shares.
Decision making by shareholders at meetings.
Administrative arrangements.

Template articles that are provided by Companies House are available in three different forms. They are aimed at different types of company. These are:

private companies limited by shares;
private companies limited by guarantee; and
public companies.

Although the template articles provided by Companies House are suitable for a large number of companies, they do need to be tailored to the specific requirements of a business in order to mitigate future disputes. Articles of association can be changed after a company has been formed but it is preferable to get it right from the beginning.

Whatever form your article of association documents are drafted in, we ensure full compliance with corporate laws and regulations, so that you can be sure these constitutional documents are drawn up on a firm financial and legal basis.

We will work with you to ensure all financial, tax and legal aspects of drafting the articles are properly addressed. We are able to assist with any aspect of this and will guide you through the technicalities in a clear and concise way. We have a team of experienced solicitors well versed in the process who are ready to assist you.

Get in Touch

Find out more about our services and how our corporate solicitors can assist you and your business by getting in touch. We have offices in Cheshire and London and are able to serve clients across the North West, including Chester and Manchester, as well as throughout the UK and also overseas.

Call us on 0345 901 0445 or complete our online enquiry form and we will be in contact as soon as we can.