Helping businesses and individuals make confident legal decisions.

It depends what the agreement actually permits. Send us the contract and the correspondence and we will tell you where you stand, and whether the point is worth pressing commercially.

Often, yes, and frequently without court proceedings. We will look at the paperwork, tell you honestly how strong your position is and explain what recovery is likely to involve before you spend anything chasing it.

They may be, but templates rarely reflect how a particular business actually trades. We will review what you are using and explain where the wording leaves you exposed, and what a more balanced position would look like.

No, and this is one of the most common misunderstandings we come across. Finances are dealt with separately, and without a legally binding financial order, claims can potentially be brought against you years afterwards — even long after the divorce has concluded.

Often, yes. Many matters are resolved through correspondence or negotiation once the legal position is clear to both sides. Where that is not possible, we will tell you honestly what proceedings are likely to involve before you commit to them.

Yes. Financial arrangements are often considered alongside divorce proceedings, but they involve separate legal issues. We can explain how the two processes work together.

Depending on the provisions of your agreement and discuss whether amendments may be appropriate.

Depending on the type of document and the requirements of the organisation requesting the advice, appointments may be available remotely or in person. We will explain the available options when you contact us.

Yes. We advise both businesses and private individuals across a broad range of commercial and civil disputes.

Yes. We advise organisations on employment issues and prepare settlement agreements where an employment relationship is being brought to an agreed conclusion.

Yes. We act on site acquisition, development land, option and conditional contracts alongside the contractual and employment work, so the same team understands the project as a whole.

Yes. Joint ventures, shareholder arrangements and contracts with funders and operators sit alongside the land work, and problems in one usually show up in the other.

Yes, and the two are usually connected. A business is worth considerably less if the premises come with a lease you cannot assign, or a break clause the landlord can exercise shortly after you buy.

Yes. Where several properties are involved we coordinate the transactions together and work with your surveyors, accountants and lenders, so the legal work does not become the thing holding everything up.

Yes. We advise both businesses and private individuals on a range of fraud-related matters.

Yes. We advise on contractual disputes and debt recovery, and will tell you plainly whether a negotiated resolution looks achievable before anyone starts talking about proceedings.

Yes. We advise on employment matters and settlement agreements alongside the commercial and property side, so if a site transfer raises staffing questions you are not briefing two different firms on the same situation.

Yes. We prepare new agreements for landlords and review existing documentation — including template agreements you may already be using — to make sure they reflect your arrangements and meet current legal requirements.

Many businesses require legal advice as they expand, enter new commercial relationships or undertake significant transactions. We can provide support across a range of commercial matters as your requirements develop

Yes. We regularly work with accountants, lenders and other professional advisers where their involvement supports the transaction or wider business objectives.

No. Many disputes are resolved through negotiation, mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Whether court proceedings are appropriate will depend on the circumstances of your matter.

No. It is no longer necessary to attribute blame in order to divorce, and it is possible for a couple to make the application jointly. We can explain how this works in your circumstances.

Although heads of terms are often prepared before solicitors become involved, obtaining legal advice early can help identify potential issues before significant negotiations take place.

No — and most people don’t. Just tell us what’s happened, or what you’re trying to do, and we’ll work out who is best placed to help. Putting the right legal label on it is our job, not yours.

Yes, particularly around what happens to the work once the engagement ends. Informal arrangements tend to be tested at exactly the wrong moment, usually when someone is trying to buy or invest in the business.

It is the cheapest protection available to you. Most of the payment disputes we see involve arrangements agreed by phone or email and never properly recorded, leaving both sides arguing about what was actually promised.

Yes. We advise both employers preparing Settlement Agreements and employees who have been asked to sign them.

Yes. We advise investors, developers, landlords and businesses buying premises for their own use. The legal issues overlap, but the priorities differ, and we approach each accordingly.

Both. Landowners being approached and operators securing sites face the same documents from opposite directions, and knowing how each side thinks makes for better advice either way.

Yes. The legal issues are often the same regardless of size – contracts, premises, employment and disputes – but the budget and the level of support needed differ, and we scope our involvement accordingly.

Yes. We advise new and established businesses on company formation, shareholder arrangements, commercial contracts and wider legal issues. The support required will depend on the nature and stage of the business.

Yes. How your team and contractors are engaged sits alongside the corporate and commercial work, and is one of the areas most likely to be questioned during an investment round or a sale.

Where the role allows, yes. It’s something we’d discuss with you directly rather than apply as a fixed policy, so we can agree an arrangement that works for you and for the team.

Every family is different. We can explain the legal principles that apply and discuss the available options based on your circumstances.

Wherever possible, by the parents themselves. The court only becomes involved where parents cannot agree, and its focus is on what is best for the children rather than what either parent feels is fair.

Send your CV and a short covering email to info@johnsonandboon.co.uk. We’ll review your application and contact you if your experience matches a current or future opportunity.

Timescales vary depending on the complexity of the property, the parties involved and whether additional investigations are required. We will explain the likely timetable once we understand the transaction.

It varies with the complexity of the title, the parties involved and what the searches reveal. We will give you a realistic timetable once we have seen the papers, and tell you promptly if anything threatens to move it.

There is a minimum period built into the process, so a divorce cannot be concluded immediately even where both parties agree. In practice, the finances usually take longer to resolve than the divorce itself. We will give you a realistic timescale once we understand your circumstances.

Every estate is different. The timescale depends on factors such as the size of the estate, the assets involved and whether any issues arise during the administration. We will explain the likely process once we understand the circumstances.

The length of the appointment depends on the document and the issues that need to be discussed. We will ensure you have sufficient opportunity to ask questions before deciding whether to sign.

Timescales vary depending on the agreement and whether negotiations are required. Once we have reviewed the documentation, we will explain the likely timetable.

Timescales depend on the nature of the work and the documentation involved. Once we understand what is required, we will explain the likely timescale and agree the next steps with you

Avoid ignoring it or responding without understanding the issues involved. We can review the correspondence, explain your position and discuss the options available.

Yes. Where you let more than one property, we can review your agreements and processes as a whole, so the same issue does not arise repeatedly across your portfolio.

Act promptly. Preserve any documentation, correspondence and banking information relating to the matter. We can review the circumstances and explain the legal options that may be available.

A conversation first. We’d want to understand your practice, the work you enjoy and what you’re looking for before talking about specific opportunities. Where there’s a mutual fit, we keep the process straightforward and transparent.

Depending on the needs of the firm, opportunities can include solicitor apprenticeships, trainee positions, paralegal and legal assistant roles. Successful applicants work closely with experienced colleagues while continuing their studies where applicable.

Yes. We recruit at every level and we’re genuinely interested in people at the start of their careers. If you’re approaching qualification and the timing looks close, get in touch rather than waiting.

You do not need to identify the legal solution before contacting us. Explain what you are trying to achieve and we can help you understand the options available and the most appropriate next step.

That’s perfectly understandable. Contact us to explain your circumstances and we will help you understand the options available and the most appropriate next step.

A Will should accurately reflect your wishes and comply with the legal requirements for a valid Will. We can explain the options available and prepare a Will tailored to your circumstances.

Some legal documents require confirmation that you have received advice from an independent solicitor before they become legally effective or before another organisation will proceed with the transaction.

Fraud matters are often time-sensitive. Obtaining advice promptly can help preserve evidence and clarify the options available.

Every case is different. Whether recovery is possible depends on the facts, the available evidence and the action taken after the fraud is discovered. We will explain the available options once we understand your circumstances.

Yes. Depending on the changes required, it may be appropriate to amend your existing Will or prepare a new one. We can advise on the most suitable approach.

No. You are free to choose your own independent solicitor to advise you on the Settlement Agreement.

Yes. We act for landlords defending claims as well as bringing them, including disrepair claims, deposit claims and defences raised within possession proceedings. Get in touch as soon as you receive anything, as the time limits for responding can be short.

That depends on the type of tenancy, how much is outstanding and how long it has been owed. There is usually more than one route available, and the strongest is not always the most obvious. We will review your documentation and explain which grounds are open to you.

It matters most when something goes wrong. Scope creep, late payment and arguments about ownership of work are all far easier to resolve when the terms actually address them rather than leaving it to memory.

No, and it is worth dealing with now rather than under pressure later. A shareholder agreement can record how decisions are made, what happens if a founder leaves and how shares are valued.

You don’t have to, but most people find it helps. Understanding the process, and how the finances and arrangements for children fit around it, puts you in a much better position before any formal step is taken.

It depends what you are prepared to take on. Buying the company means inheriting its history, including liabilities that have nothing to do with the building. We will explain the practical difference before the structure is agreed.

Yes. We advise on legacies left through wills and estates, including where the position is unclear or the estate is taking longer than expected to administer.

Please do. Some of our strongest appointments have come from people who approached us before a vacancy existed. If your experience fits the firm, we’ll hold your details and get in touch when something suitable comes up.

Usually, and it is far easier while everyone still agrees. A shareholder agreement can record what was always intended, covering who decides what, what happens if someone leaves and how shares are valued.

Possibly. Not every poor outcome amounts to negligence, and establishing responsibility takes careful review of the advice given and the loss said to have followed. We will give you a realistic assessment before any formal step is taken.

Due diligence is the investigation carried out before a transaction completes. It involves reviewing legal documents and identifying issues that may affect the value, structure or risks associated with the business.

More than the trade figures. The lease, the staff, supplier commitments, licences and any existing liabilities all need investigating, and whether they transfer to you depends on how the purchase is structured.

Clean company documents, clear ownership, proper contracts with customers and suppliers, and evidence that your team and contractors are engaged on sensible terms. Gaps in any of those tend to surface during due diligence.

Before heads of terms are agreed, ideally. Once the commercial terms are settled it becomes much harder to change the points that matter most – repairing obligations, service charge exposure and whether you can get out early if the site underperforms.

Investors will look at your company documents, your contracts and how key people are engaged. Tidying that up beforehand puts you in a stronger negotiating position and avoids a scramble part-way through the process.

The length of the commitment, repairing obligations, service charge exposure and whether the organisation can exit if circumstances change. We will set the risks out clearly so the board can decide with confidence.

Earlier than most people do. Buyers look closely at client contracts, how the team is engaged and whether the business depends on one or two individuals. Those things take time to address properly.

With preparation. Buyers will want to see your leases, supplier contracts, employment records and company documents. Getting those in order early tends to shorten the sale and reduce the number of points a buyer can negotiate on.

No. Many people seek advice before making any formal decisions so they can better understand the legal process and the options available.

Term, rent reviews, access rights, what happens to the land at the end and who is responsible for removing equipment. These agreements often run for decades, so the terms deserve proper attention before anything is signed.

We will let you know what documents we require before your appointment. This will usually include the legal document requiring advice together with identification and any supporting paperwork relevant to the transaction.

It depends on your role and stage of career, but the principle is the same throughout: you learn by working on real matters alongside people who can guide you, supported by professional development along the way.

We’ll listen to what’s going on, tell you how we’re able to help, and clearly set out the next steps and any cost implications. You’ll have all of that in front of you before you decide whether to go ahead.

Where there is no valid Will, the estate is usually administered in accordance with the intestacy rules. We can explain how those rules may apply to your circumstances.

We will explain the issue, discuss its potential impact on the transaction and advise on the available options before you decide how to proceed.

We will explain the issue, discuss the options available and advise how it may affect the transaction before you decide how to proceed.

That turns on the structure of the deal, and it is one of the most commonly misunderstood parts of a sale. We will explain the position clearly before terms are agreed, rather than afterwards.

Any contracts, correspondence, invoices, photographs or other documents relevant to the dispute will help us understand the matter and advise you more effectively.

It gives a developer the right to acquire land within an agreed period, usually subject to conditions such as planning. It suits both sides where a project needs certainty over the land before significant money is spent.

An asset sale transfers selected business assets, whilst a share sale transfers ownership of the company itself. The most appropriate structure depends on the circumstances and the objectives of the parties involved.

Our requirements change as the firm grows, but opportunities arise for solicitors, CILEX lawyers, paralegals, solicitor apprentices, legal assistants and business support staff across our practice areas.

The searches required depend upon the property and the nature of the transaction. We will advise which investigations are appropriate and explain why they are recommended.

Many people choose to make a Lasting Power of Attorney whilst they are able to make their own decisions, so arrangements are already in place if they are needed in the future.

Early advice can help you understand your position before important decisions are made or formal correspondence is sent.

The earlier legal advice is obtained, the easier it is to identify potential issues before negotiations become advanced. Early involvement can also help transactions progress more efficiently.

Ideally before you act. Most of the problems we are asked to fix are procedural — a notice served on the wrong form, at the wrong time, or without the documents that should have accompanied it. Early advice is almost always cheaper than putting a failed claim right afterwards.

Both businesses and individuals. That might be a company buying premises or facing a dispute, or someone sorting out a will, a separation or a problem with a landlord. If there’s a legal question behind it, it’s worth asking us.

Yes. You’ll have someone whose name you know, who keeps you updated as things move along. If a colleague needs to get involved for part of your matter, we’ll tell you who they are and why.

Yes, absolutely. No work is ever undertaken until we have fully explained what it will cost, so you can make the decision on whether or not to proceed. Where we can offer a fixed fee, we’ll tell you exactly what’s included.

Usually not. Most matters are dealt with by phone, email and electronically, so there is rarely any need to travel. We act for clients right across England and Wales, and on the rare occasion something does need doing in person, we’ll find a way to make it easy.

Not necessarily. Some matters can be resolved without court proceedings, while others may require formal legal action. We will explain the options available based on your circumstances.

Not every family matter results in court proceedings. Depending on the circumstances, issues may be resolved through negotiation, mediation or agreement. Where court proceedings are necessary, we will explain the process and what to expect.

Many employers agree to make a contribution towards the employee’s legal fees. We will explain how this applies once we have reviewed the Settlement Agreement.

Often not. Many couples resolve both their finances and the arrangements for their children through negotiation or mediation, with the court’s involvement limited to approving what has been agreed. Where proceedings are necessary, we will explain what to expect.

Our role is to explain the legal effect of the document and answer your questions so that you understand the implications of signing. Whether you proceed remains your decision.

Yes. Business transactions often involve accountants, lenders, tax advisers and other professionals. We regularly work alongside them to help ensure the legal and commercial aspects of the transaction are coordinated effectively.

We handle family law, conveyancing and property, employment law, commercial law, and litigation.
We can also advise on other legal matters.

We handle family law, conveyancing and property, employment law, commercial law, and litigation.
We can also advise on other legal matters.

We will explain the likely cost once we understand what is involved. Where a fixed fee is available, we will confirm what is included before work begins.