What we’re about
I am a partner in Buckworths specialising in startups and small businesses. I have set up this group as a forum to provide peer2peer legal advice to start-ups in London. I believe that there is a core of legal knowledge that can and should be shared for free.
I'm planning to hold monthly meetups initially focussing on one relevant legal topic at each meetup.
Any start-up in London is welcome to join.
Hashtag #startuphacks
Upcoming events (1)
See all- Your Startup, Your Pie: Legal Essentials for UK Food & Beverage FoundersLink visible for attendees
If you're launching or scaling a UK-based Food & Beverage (fast-moving consumer goods) business, this plain-English webinar will guide you through the legal must-knows that could save you time, money, and stress. Learn what to protect, what to document, and how to build a legally solid foundation for growth and exit.
What We'll Cover:
Bake the Pie – Lay Your Legal Foundations
1. Trademarks & Slogans
Protect your brand before you promote it- Register your name, logo, and slogan early
- Search UKIPO and Companies House before investing
- Consider international filings
2. Packaging & Labels
Compliance that sells- Include required details (e.g. allergens, expiry)
- Avoid misleading marketing claims
- Follow sector-specific rules
3. Manufacturing Agreements
Put it in writing, even for small-batch runs- Cover pricing, quality control, delivery, IP ownership
- Add protection clauses for delays or defects
Slice the Pie – Share Ownership, Protect Relationships
4. Founders’ Agreements
Avoid drama later. Agree now.- Decide roles, equity splits, and exit terms
- Use vesting to align commitment
5. Investment
Prepare to pitch and protect- Have your IP, contracts, and cap table investor-ready
- Understand term sheets and shareholder rights
6. Options & Incentivisation
Equity isn’t just for founders- Use EMI schemes for tax-efficient team incentives
- Define vesting and exit terms
Sell the Pie – Sell Smart, Scale Smart
7. B2C Documentation
Protect your online store and your customers- Get terms of sale, returns, privacy policy, cookie banner
- Follow UK consumer law and GDPR
8. Distribution & Wholesale Agreements
Expand beyond DTC without losing control- Set clear terms for exclusivity, territory, payment
- Avoid restrictive clauses or auto-renewals
9. Selling the Business
Built it right? Sell it right.- Be due diligence-ready from day one
- Know the documents: SPA, warranties, disclosure letter
- Understand your exit obligations
Meet the Speaker: Michael Buckworth, the founder of Buckworths and author of Built on Rock, the entrepreneur's legal guide to start-up success. Advising on the risks and pitfalls to avoid when setting up your own business, this book makes the complicated aspects of start-up law simple. Chapter one is now available to download for free, click here to find out how to build your business on rock
