Making a legal set up.

#1 First, you need to decide what type of company you want to form. I'm not 100% sure about the UK, but I believe it's similiar to the US....Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Limited Liability Company, Corporation....and their many forms. From there, it depends on local laws & regulations. A quick search on the web should yield good results for your local rules. There are companies out there that specialize in helping people form companies. Look into them...there are a few who's fees really aren't that much more than what you'd pay to do it yourself...you save time, and legal hassles in the event you might overlook something.

#2 I think we would be looking at a Limited Liability Company, (LTD in the UK). I have asked some solicitors, however they didnt really seem like they could help.

#3 Mr Bond,

Everything you need about setting up a company in the UK is on this site. www.companieshouse.co.uk/

Other things you can do is go to the Citizens advice bureau and find out where you stand as a company owner whilst working a day job too.. www.citizensadvice.org.uk/winnn6/

I don't think setting up a company is difficult, but you will have legal obligations... accounts etc. You may also need to declare you directorship with yourday job company..

#4 Soliciters might not help unless you pay them..

another place to check might be your bank.

#5 Thanks Jason, I will dig through them tomorrow. It is the legal obligations that confuse me the most. What all that entails i do not know.

#6 James, you need to contact your local Business Support unit and they will help guide you through the process. Most local authority's have one now, I think? However failing that, an accountant can set up your limited company, and sort the required paperwork for companies house, you will need an accountant at some stage or another. Im in the middle of the process myself, although my ltd company will be lying dormant until needed, basically just protecting the name for now. A ltd company isnt really beneficial until your making more than a certain figure, I think the accountants I spoke too said something like 26k.

#7 Andrew, that is the basic reason for wanting to set the company up, to protect the name. Our company will be lying dormant untill we can start to operate as a company. I am just so lost in the legal haze. Dose a ltd have to prove that it has both income and expediture?

#8 Go and see these people.
www.businesslink.gov.uk/
I made an appointment to see my local Business Link a few years ago, for an idea that I later dropped.
They were very useful and helpful. They can help you get grants, loans give advice etc.

#9 Ok I will do that.