Opportunities Emerging For Growing Firms, Legal Experts Reveal

By Rob Dixon

Growing sentiment that more opportunities are developing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been welcomed by business lawyers at Irwin Mitchell, who have reiterated calls for growing firms to ensure they have the support network they need to thrive in such conditions.

A number of studies and business commentators have highlighted in recent weeks that the tide is turning in the economy, with small firms in particularly being well-place to take advantage of any opportunities which may arise.

The view has recently been highlighted by commentary by Paul Varley Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking’s senior manager in SME Banking, who told BusinessDesk Yorkshire that the “stars are aligning” for growing businesses in the region.

Such thoughts have been welcomed by business lawyers in the SME group at national law firm Irwin Mitchell, who specialise in providing advice to growing firms which enables them to be best placed for expansion opportunities.

Steven Bate, a Partner in commercial litigation based at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office, said: “We wholeheartedly agree that there are signs that the economy is in recovery, but also recognise that this in turn means it is a sensitive time for cashflow.

“We can help with cashflow by pursuing outstanding money and we regularly do this for our clients, particularly in cases when cashflow is put under pressure as order books grow and disputes can arise in relation to payments, delays or quality.

“It is often a misconception that legal advice can be expensive but, through our work, we regularly work with SMEs on all kinds of disputes that may not be on the radar of our competitors.  We are able to help our clients by understanding the issues, their needs and by tailoring our advice and price to suit them.”

Steven added: “SMEs are right to be ambitious in these times but they need to ensure they have quality advice to hand to fully take advantage of the opportunities that do come their way.

“In my particular area of commercial litigation and all other fields, our focus is always on achieving the best outcome for the client – whether that be proceedings or the use of other processes such as mediation or other forms of dispute resolution to ensure a positive result.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in relation to SMEs.