Our Library of Free Business Starter Legal Templates
Consultancy Agreement
Our template Consultancy Agreement is designed for those companies seeking the provision of consultancy services from an independent contractor (a self-employed individual). The Consultancy Agreement can be used for consultants providing professional services and facilitates a non-employment relationship for the purposes of the IR35 or off-payroll working rules.
Director Consent to Act
Our template Director Consent to Act provides you with a simple letter agreement for an individual to consent to act as a director of your company. It includes a table of the information that you will need from the new director in order to update your Company Registers and make the appropriate filing at Companies House.
Employment Contract
This customisable Employment Contract is intended for use between a business and employee, who will be hired on a permanent basis. It ensures both parties are aware of their rights and obligations, and includes the basic provisions as required by law.
Founders' IP Assignment Agreement
This template is designed to facilitate the transfer of Intellectual Property rights (IPR) from founders to a company. The legally binding agreement protects both the founder and company, by ensuring that rights and responsibilities are clearly outlined.
Mutual Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement
This template is designed to enable the mutual sharing of confidential information between two parties, for a specific commercial purpose. The agreement sets out the obligations and rights of the parties, as both a discloser and recipient of confidential information. It ensures that the disclosed information will only be used within the parameters of the defined purpose and the obligation of confidentiality is fully outlined.
One-Way Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement
This template is designed to enable the sharing of confidential information by one party (the discloser) to another (the recipient), for a specific commercial purpose. It ensures that the disclosed information will only be used within the parameters of the defined purpose and the obligation of confidentiality is fully outlined.
Privacy Notice
A Privacy Notice is an essential document for any business that collects and uses Personal Data. Our template will help you to meet your data protection obligations, and provide visibility for users of your website and / or services as to how your business appropriately handles personal data.
Routine Board Minutes
Minutes must be taken of all directors meetings in accordance with section 248(1), Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006). The minutes should accurately record all decisions and resolutions taken at such meetings. Our template provides your company with a consistent structure for recording the minutes of director meetings.
Simple Articles of Association
Articles of association are a mandatory constitutional document required by the Companies Act 2006, for every company incorporated in the United Kingdom. The default ‘model articles’ as prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 will apply, unless a company chooses to vary some of the provisions. Our template largely reflects the model articles for a ‘company limited by shares’ with some common additions and variations.
BPE Solicitors LLP (“BPE” or “we”) has created the BPE Startup Pack (the “Templates”) for use by companies incorporated in England and Wales only (the “Companies”).
The Templates are for general guidance and information for those wishing to set up a company or who have recently done so.
They are therefore provided to you on as ‘as is’ basis at no charge and we make no representations or warranties as to their accuracy or fitness for purpose. All warranties, conditions or terms implied by statute, common law or otherwise are excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.
The content of the Templates does not amount to legal, tax, financial, or other professional advice and may not necessarily be appropriate to your circumstances. In choosing to download and / or use any of the Templates, you acknowledge that a lawyer-client relationship is not established, and you accept any resulting risk and / or liability arising from use of the Templates where you have not sought further advice from us.
The Templates are the property of BPE Solicitors LLP and are made available to you under a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable licence to use the Templates for your own legitimate personal or internal business purposes with no right for onward sale, distribution or adaptation.
We have not updated the Templates since November 2023 to take into account recent changes in the law, and do not undertake to do so or to provide you with updated copies of Templates. Where a Template has been updated by us, the date of the update shall be shown at the top of the document.
Note: The Templates are for use by and with companies incorporated in England and Wales only.
Our Library of Free Statutory Registers
Applications and Allotments
Our template Register of Applications and Allotments.
Members
Our template Register of Members.
Transfers
Our template Register of Transfers.
Directors' Residential Addresses
Our template Register of Directors’ Residential Addresses.
Directors
Our template Register of Directors.
Secretaries
Our template Register of Secretaries.
People with Significant Control
Our template Register of Secretaries.
Share Certificates
Our template Share Certificates.
BPE Solicitors LLP (“BPE” or “we”) has created the BPE Startup Pack (the “Templates”) for use by companies incorporated in England and Wales only (the “Companies”).
The Templates are for general guidance and information for those wishing to set up a company or who have recently done so.
They are therefore provided to you on as ‘as is’ basis at no charge and we make no representations or warranties as to their accuracy or fitness for purpose. All warranties, conditions or terms implied by statute, common law or otherwise are excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.
The content of the Templates does not amount to legal, tax, financial, or other professional advice and may not necessarily be appropriate to your circumstances. In choosing to download and / or use any of the Templates, you acknowledge that a lawyer-client relationship is not established, and you accept any resulting risk and / or liability arising from use of the Templates where you have not sought further advice from us.
The Templates are the property of BPE Solicitors LLP and are made available to you under a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable licence to use the Templates for your own legitimate personal or internal business purposes with no right for onward sale, distribution or adaptation.
We have not updated the Templates since November 2023 to take into account recent changes in the law, and do not undertake to do so or to provide you with updated copies of Templates. Where a Template has been updated by us, the date of the update shall be shown at the top of the document.
Note: The Templates are for use by and with companies incorporated in England and Wales only.
Some frequently asked questions
How many times can I download the template documents?
As many times as you like; they are freely available to use.
What if I need to speak to someone or require some more complex help?
Please use the ‘contact us’ form on this page, or feel free to drop us an email at bpe@bpe.co.uk and someone will get back to you within two working days.
Are there guidance notes on completing the template documents?
Drafting notes are embedded in the template documents, which should be enough to get you started. If you need further guidance please use the ‘contact us’ form on this page, or feel free to drop us an email at bpe@bpe.co.uk and someone will get back to you within two working days.
Where else can I find help or useful materials?
See these useful links which we will update regularly.
- Companies Act 2006: Read more
- Set up a limited company and register for Corporation Tax: Read more
- Companies House Forms: Read more
- Companies House Document Upload Service: Read more
- Companies House Name Availability Checker: Read more
- Corporate Governance: Read more
Is there a charge for using these documents?
No, they are free to use. This is our way of giving back to the start-up community – we are here to help.
Do I need all of these documents?
Not necessarily, each business is different and has different needs. This selection is designed to give you a choice of some of the documents that we think are most often required by companies in the start-up phase of their development. It is up to you to assess which of them are relevant to your business. If you need further guidance please use the ‘contact us’ form on this page, or feel free to drop us an email at bpe@bpe.co.uk and someone will get back to you within two working days.
Other Useful Resources for You
Five Questions for Mediation Week 2025
Family Mediation Week 2025 started this week, on Monday 27th January. The objective of highlighting this week is to reflect the benefits of family mediation for separating couples. Our goal is to increase awareness and encourage families to consider mediation as a constructive way to navigate separation, make informed decisions together, and create a positive future for their family. With that in mind our resident mediator, Helen Cankett, has put together five of the most common questions that she faces in her day-to-day.
Key Employment Law Changes for 2025
In the wake of last year's general election, 2025 was widely anticipated to be a year of significant change for employment law. Whilst the raft of proposals contained within the new Employment Rights Bill raised eyebrows in some quarters, little did we know that it would be the Autumn budget that would grab the headlines for Labour, and not necessarily in a good way.
The End of the Shareholder Rule
A recent decision of the High Court in Aabar Holdings S.À.R.L. v Glencore plc and others* held that the English legal principle known as the Shareholder Rule should no longer apply.
Parliament proposes paid Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill
On 13 January 2025, Ryan Wellings was found guilty of assault and coercive and controlling behaviour against his partner, Kiena Dawes, who took her own life in July 2022 because of the actions of Ryan Wellings. This case once again brings attention to the threat of domestic violence with SafeLives approximating that 2.1 million people in the UK have experienced some form of domestic abuse. The conclusion of this trial coincided with the introduction of a private members Bill that represents a significant step forward in supporting victims of domestic abuse within the workplace.
Empowering YOUR PEOPLE in 2025
BPE are excited to confirm that Stephen Conlan (Employment Partner) will be part of the expert panel at Circle2Success and Juice Recruitment’s Empowering Your People in 2025 event next Wednesday 22nd January!
Family Mediation Week 2025
Helen Cankett, Family Mediator and Partner in the Family Team at BPE Solicitors says “There has been a greater focus on separating couples attempting some form of non-court dispute resolution before resorting to court proceedings since the court rules were updated in April last year. Family mediation continues to offer a safe and supportive option for couples to come and discuss their financial settlement and child arrangements with the assistance of an impartial mediator and avoid the uncertainties of the court process.”
BPE celebrate another year of Lexcel accreditation
Every year, law firms across the UK can apply to be subject to review by The Law Society under the name Lexcel – a gold standard of excellence in the world of legal practice. Once again, BPE is pleased to announce that they have achieved this coveted accreditation.
MasterChef and McDonalds putting harassment in the spotlight: what should businesses know?
Sexual harassment is back in the spotlight with Gregg Wallace, BBC show MasterChef presenter, facing serious allegations of sexual misconduct. Following an internal BBC investigation, which included interviews with multiple women spanning a 17-year period, the media reported on allegations against Mr Wallace which included making inappropriate sexual comments, telling sexualised jokes and engaging in unwanted physical contact. The seriousness of these allegations has forced him to step back from his role in MasterChef.
