DF Legal LLP Commercial Law

We're involved in all aspects of commercial life - our creative approach and ability to see the bigger picture enable us to add real value. We develop a detailed appreciation of your business from the outset so that our advice not only addresses a specific need, but also blends in with your strategic objectives.

To find out more about our range of services for businesses, click on our specialist areas below:

Motorsport | Employment | EMPower Scheme | Litigation | Planning | Property | Contracts | Companies | Immigration

DF Legal LLP Motorsport

For over 25 years John Daniels of DF Legal has given advice and assistance to teams, sponsors and drivers in connection with National and International motorsport at all levels – from junior karting to Formula 1 and World Rally. Our experience and contacts are well known in the industry.

Dealing with motorsport contracts need a special understanding of the types of relationships that exist, and the regulatory and commercial framework behind global motorsport. DF Legal has that expertise and experience and has acted for many well known teams and drivers.

With the added dimension of our specialist employment department run by Clare Primett, and our dedicated immigration team run by Arif Khalfe we can assist with work permit and entry clearance applications that foreign drivers and team personnel may require.

If you would like to find out more please contact Motorsports Department

DF Legal LLP Employment

In recent years there have been huge changes in the law governing the relationship between employer and employee, and procedure and conduct inside and outside the workplace. Increasingly the law regulates many aspects of the employment relationship, providing statutory rights and protection to employees and workers. This trend will undoubtedly continue with further legislation and legal developments coming into effect every year. Ignorance by an employer of a statutory or regulatory requirement provides no excuse.

Accordingly it is essential that specialised legal advice be obtained in connection with any employment related matters. DF Legal has considerable experience acting on behalf of employers of all sizes. We provide prompt and commercial advice and assistance to our clients.

In particular we can advise, and where appropriate, provide representation in relation to:

• Unfair and Wrongful dismissal claims
• Breach of employment contract claims
• Redundancy and related matters
• Disciplinary procedures and Grievance procedures and their application
• Contracts of Employment terms
• Working hours and holiday entitlement
• Maternity, Paternity, Adoption and Parental leave and time of for dependents
• Discrimination – sex, race, age, disability and gender
• Equal pay and minimum wage claims
• Compromise agreements
• TUPE

Please see our Monthly Employment Newsletter for the latest information.

DF Legal's Employment Law Guide - This will help identify any problems/issues. For advice as to any employment law queries please contact our Employment Department

If you would like to find out more please contact our Employment Department.

The DF EMPower Scheme

What is the EMPower Scheme?
DF Legal’s EMPower Scheme is the complete Employment Solution for Schools and Businesses. If you have a problem with an employee but lack the time and resources to read and understand ever changing employment legislation, this Scheme could be ideal for your organisation.

EMPower has three elements:

• Audit
• Helpline
• Insurance cover

Audit - This is an annual audit undertaken by our Employment Team of all your employment policies and procedures and employment contracts. We will make sure they are up to date with current legislation.

Helpline - The helpline is available during office hours. Just ring and someone should be available to answer your queries on employment related issues.

Insurance cover - Our insurance policy provides you with £250,000 cover per claim which includes compensation awards, settlements, cost of legal representation and preparing and defending a tribunal claim.

You have a choice as to how much you opt into whichever suits your business or School needs:

• Audit Only
• Helpline Only
• Audit & Helpline
• Audit, Helpline & Insurance cover.

Any questions or if you would like a free quote contact our Cheltenham/Ledbury or Tewkesbury offices on 01684 850750

DF Legal LLP Claims amd Disputes

Do you have claims or disputes that require settlement through litigation or by way of alternative dispute resolution?

If so, we can help you. As we promote, we listen to whatever you are going through and advise you on how to resolve your claim or dispute. We will ensure that we will work closely with you to actively resolve your issue, in order to satisfy your objectives.

We have the experience and knowledge to handle your case. We will assess your merits and if necessary act on a No win No Fee basis, to which we can offer suitable insurance.

We cover a wide range of work such as, Landlord and Tenant, Mortgage arrears, Contractual disputes, Service Level Agreements, Professional Negligence, Debt Recovery, Inheritance Dispute, Travel Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, as well as many other areas.

To find out more contact the litigation department.

DF Legal LLP Planning

For over twenty-five years DF Legal has been at the forefront of providing clients with proactive, innovative and sound planning advice and representation. We have strong links with leading planning consultants, a range of highly respected professional planning witnesses, architects, eminent members of the Planning Bar and developers themselves. Some of the planning issues and cases we have been involved in have been widely reported.

We offer representation at all levels of the planning and enforcement appeal process for individuals and developers. We also offer appropriate advice and representation for third party objectors and local authorities. We have represented clients at strategic local planning inquiries. DF Legal handle appeals for clients including written representation, informal hearings and public enquiries.

DF Legal can also undertake High Court Judicial Review challenges to the decisions of Local Planning Authorities and High Court challenges and injunctions.

Town and Country planning is just one of the functions of Local Government and often the most contentious. However, DF Legal can also assist in any problems that arise by or against Local Authorities in connection with such matters as Licensing and Environmental issues.

Download our guide to Demolition - The Need for Planning Persmission to Knock Down Buildings.

If you would like to find out more please contact our Planning Department.

DF Legal LLP Commercial Property

Commercial property dealings, though similar in some aspects to domestic conveyancing, are in reality radically different both in their technical aspects and in the way in which the transaction needs to be conducted.

Unfortunately, inexperienced solicitors are often viewed as an obstacle, rather than facilitators. At DF Legal we believe that in order to be extremely effective, your solicitor needs to understand your business and its objectives – that way we can give our clients the priority required to ensure that their expectations are fully met by the service we deliver.

Commercial property transactions are often required to be undertaken in a very short space of time – for example a purchase of property from an administrator or liquidator may have to be completed in a matter of days. Here at DF Legal we understand this and will spend as much time and resource as is required in order to achieve the client's desired result.

The following are among the transactions that we are able to assist you with:

• Leases
• Underleases
• Lease assignments
• Lease renewals and variations
• Freehold purchases and sales
• Commercial EPC's

If you would like to find out more please contact our Commercial Property Department

DF Legal LLP Contracts & Agreements

Contractual relationships are crucial to the conduct of business. Ideally consideration should always be given to the priorities and understandings of commercial agreements at the beginning of any new business relationship. Commercial contracts are a key element to any successful business and investment in them at the right time will be invaluable for the future.

Trading terms and conditions, purchasing terms, intellectual property protection and retention of title provisions are just a few examples of areas that every business must spend time thinking about. DF Legal has the expertise and resource to provide support to your business in order to assist in its dealings with other commercial entities.

If you would like to find out more please contact our Commercial Department.

DF Legal LLP Companies and Business

DF Legal LLP offers a comprehensive service over the range of business transactions. Whether you are new to business or run an existing business as a Sole Trader, Partnership or Limited we understand that providing practical legal advice focused on helping you achieve your objectives is of prime importance.

It is not uncommon for businesses to steer clear from a solicitor at an early stage through the fear of cost. Where complex legislation and legal documents are concerned early consultation is advisable to avoid conflicts before they have arisen and avoid costly litigation

Some of the more usual transactions include Setting up a New Business, Buying and Selling a Business and Intellectual Property.

For more information please download the relevant PDF: Setting Up A New Business | Buying and Selling a Business | Intellectual Property.

DF Legal LLP Immigration

We have made it our business to ensure that our advice covers more than an outline of options, as the immigration rules become more complex legally. Using our global experience, knowledge and contacts to solve problems for our clients, being proactive and, when required, tough with the authorities, delivering our work within cost expectations and ensuring that we are accessible are important to us.

Our team has been praised for the level of personal attention given to clients and our innovative approach. We represent multi-national companies, SMEs, start ups and educational establishments across all industry sectors and have helped many professionals worldwide secure approvals and visas.

Unlike many law firms, our immigration service is conducted on fixed fee basis, which means that you know how much each service will cost before instructing us. Our fixed fee prices are so competitive, it is unlikely that they can be beaten.

To download our Immigration Guide which includes a list of our fixed fee prices, please click here

Our immigration team also acts for private individuals

Immigration services for businesses and education providers at a glance:

• business visitors and EEA posted workers
• certificates of sponsorship/confirmation of acceptance for study and entry clearance/leave to remain applications (tiers 2, 4 and 5)
• education sector services including sponsor licence suspension/withdrawal challenges
• global immigration solutions
• illegal working issues, UKBA raids and other emergencies
• sponsor licence applications, assessments and maintenance
• tier 1 (general), tier 1 (post study work), EEA and complex applications
• tier 5 intern scheme
• training and general advisory services (for HR, senior management, legal counsel, board level etc)