A legal guide for business entry & growth
The UK Market
Setting up in the UK
The UK remains a compelling destination for overseas businesses looking to establish a foothold in Europe. With its flexible legal structures, investor-friendly regulatory environment and strategic time zone bridging the US and Asia, the UK offers a unique launchpad for international growth. Its thriving tech and start-up ecosystem, as well as access to funding and proximity to key European markets, make it an attractive choice for ambitious enterprises. However, navigating the UK legal landscape from the outset is essential to avoid costly pitfalls – especially when planning future expansion into other jurisdictions.
This guide provides a high-level overview of the most relevant legal considerations when setting up in the UK and outlines how our team can support you every step of the way.
A legal gateway to growth
1 - Structuring and taxing your expansion into the UK
2 - Commercial contracts: What you need to know
4 - UK banking and finance: Unlocking opportunities
5 - The lowdown on leasing real estate
6 - Employment and pensions: How to get it right
7 - Business immigration: Opening doors to the UK
8 - Data protection: The essentials at a glance
9 - Intellectual Property: Turning ideas into assets
10 - Franchise laws and your legal obligations
11 - International trade: Strategic support for investors
We are a member of the Department for Business and Trade’s UK Investment Support Directory.
The UK Market: Case Studies
These case studies showcase our ability to deliver seamless, multi-disciplinary legal support for international clients entering the UK market. From corporate structuring and immigration to intellectual property, employment, real estate and data protection, our teams collaborate across specialisms to provide tailored, strategic advice. Whether navigating complex acquisitions or establishing new subsidiaries, we ensure compliance, mitigate risk and accelerate market entry. Our hands-on approach and deep sector knowledge enable us to anticipate challenges and deliver practical solutions—helping overseas investors achieve their growth ambitions with confidence and clarity.
Japanese high-tech company
Expanding into a new market isn’t easy – especially when you’re crossing continents and time zones. That’s exactly what one Japanese high-tech company faced when they decided to expand into the UK market by a strategic acquisition.
We began by explaining UK technical legal concepts in a user friendly way. This gave our client the clarity and confidence they needed from day one for a smoother UK entry.
From there, our Corporate Team brought in the right experts across our firm at every stage – including intellectual property (IP), data protection, employment, immigration, real estate, commercial contracts, disputes and share capital and structure.
Our specialist Data, Privacy and Cybersecurity Team advised on data protection, governance and compliance-related requirements. This meant they were compliant with their regulatory requirements as a data controller.
Then our IP team got to work. We protected their products with trademarks and advised on potential disputes with third parties, so their brand was safe as they expanded.
We also guided our client through delicate employment matters and secured immigration status for key personnel relocating to the UK. This included pre-termination settlements with a senior employee and negotiating terms and paid leave to support smooth transitions.
Our Japanese client successfully acquired the target business with our support and established their UK operations.
US private equity firm
When a US private equity firm needed to set up a UK subsidiary within a tight timeframe – they turned to us.
Our immigration experts secured visas for the US team members and their families. Meanwhile, our corporate lawyers developed a corporate structure and planned activities for the UK subsidiary company that worked for both tax and immigration.
We drafted employment contracts, built HR policies and sourced external staffing support so the client could hit the ground running in the UK.
US private equity firm
Our IP Team helped protect the company’s name and logo in the UK, EU, Norway and Switzerland, and gave strategic advice to develop their branding.
Our Property Team offered advice on securing a suitable London office, helping to negotiate leases for their chosen premises.
The result was a seamless, accelerated entry into the UK, with each of our specialist teams working in tandem to help them navigate the complex legal and regulatory environment. This underscores our ability to deliver tailored, multi-disciplinary, full-service legal solutions to help international investors and businesses achieve their ambitious growth goals in the UK and further afield.
Integrated focus areas
FutureLaw / LPM
FutureLaw and Legal Project Management (LPM) combine legal expertise with innovation, delivering smarter, tech-enabled solutions that streamline processes, reduce costs and enhance client outcomes across areas.
ESG
TLT embeds ESG into all legal services, offering tailored advice on environmental, social and governance issues to help clients meet evolving regulations, stakeholder expectations and drive sustainable business growth.
A legal guide for business entry & growth
The UK market guide
This guide provides an overview of the relevant legal considerations when setting up in the UK and explains how our expert team supports you throughout each stage of your expansion journey.
Structure & tax
Explore the best legal and tax structures for entering the UK market. Learn how to minimise risk, ensure compliance and choose the right setup - through subsidiaries, branches or joint ventures.
Commercial contracts
Understand how English contract law supports flexible, enforceable agreements. Discover key principles, common pitfalls and how we draft commercial contracts that protect your interests.
Regulatory Compliance
Understand the UK’s regulatory landscape and how it affects your business. This section covers key areas - helping you manage risk, meet legal obligations and operate confidently across sectors.
Banking & Finance
Navigate the UK’s dynamic finance landscape with expert guidance. Learn how to structure deals, access funding and leverage ESG-linked instruments to support long-term investment strategies.
Leasing Real Estate
Practical insights into UK leasing laws across jurisdictions. Understand registration, energy standards and tenant protections to make informed decisions when leasing in commercial property.
Employment & Pensions
Ensure compliance with UK employment law. Learn how to structure contracts, manage statutory rights while staying ahead of upcoming legal reforms and pension obligations.
Business Immigration
Explore UK immigration routes for business expansion. Understand visa options, sponsorship requirements and compliance risks to ensure smooth relocation and legal planning for personnel.
Data Protection
Stay compliant with UK GDPR and the new Data Use and Access Act. Learn how to manage personal data, lawful bases, international transfers and individual rights with confidence and clarity.
Intellectual Property
Protect and monetise your innovations with UK IP law. Explore patents, trade marks, copyright and design rights - learn how to enforce, license and leverage IP for commercial advantage.
Franchise Laws
Understand the legal framework for franchising in the UK. Learn how to structure agreements, manage IP, comply with competition law and support franchisees while protecting your brand and business.
International Trade
Navigate the UK’s post-Brexit trade landscape. Discover how to manage tariffs, export controls, and trade remedies to protect your supply chain and maximise global opportunities.