Cross-border executive appointments — key UK tax & corporate considerations
We outline the key payroll, tax and governance issues that overseas companies typically face when appointing a UK‑based executive.
Corporate law solicitors in Leeds
Our award-winning solicitors help businesses and organisations across Yorkshire to achieve their corporate aims and ambitions.
0333 004 4488
hello@brabners.com
Leeds’ ‘Top Tier’ corporate law experts
Our corporate team is one of the largest, most active and most specialised in the country.
We advise business leaders, management teams, shareholders, investors and entrepreneurs across Leeds across the full corporate law lifecycle — M&A, private equity, business sales, tax advisory and governance.
- Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) — Advice on the complexities of corporate deals for businesses on the acquisitions trail.
- Business sales and exit strategies — Support around the complexities of selling a company, its business or its assets.
- Tax advisory — Specialist tax lawyers who combine legal excellence with commercial insight to solve tax issues.
- Private equity — Helping you to secure the right investments with the most appropriate terms.
- Governance — For existing governance structures and remaining compliant while structural change happens.
- Employee Ownership Trusts (EOT) — Helping businesses to solve succession concerns and realise the benefits of employee ownership.
- Venture capital and high-growth companies — Creating deals between investors and founders that accelerate growth.
The team works closely with our commercial lawyers and deal advisors to offer a strategic, added-value service throughout the entire corporate lifecycle.
Talk to our Leeds corporate team by emailing hello@brabners.com, calling 0333 004 4488 or completing our contact form.
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Award-winning sector-specific expertise for Leeds’ corporate landscape
Boasting “outstanding industry knowledge” according to testimonials in The Legal 500, our corporate practice is one of the UK’s most specialised.
Our specialist sector knowledge — encompassing sports, tech, health, retail, professional services, housing, energy and more — empowers us to add value to every transaction.
As well as being one of the UK’s most specialised, our corporate team is also one of the most active. Last year, we advised on 168 transactions with a total value of around £1bn — a 16% rise in activity and a fourth year of consecutive growth.
Recognised for delivering a “consistently high-quality level of service”, the team was named Corporate Law Firm of the Year at the Insider North West Dealmakers Awards 2025 and Regional Firm of the Year at the Legal Business Awards 2025.
Led by the highly-experienced Mark Rathbone, our 60-strong corporate team contains Hall of Fame lawyers, Leading Partners and Next Generation Partners recognised by clients and peers for their role in market-leading work.
From our office at 1 City Square at the heart of Leeds, we support organisations, shareholders and business leaders right across Yorkshire with their growth, investment, divestment, exit and restructuring requirements.
Meet our Leeds corporate lawyers
Making great deals happen across Leeds
We’re the only UK law firm with an in-house Deal Advisory team.
Our deal advisors guide every stage of your corporate transaction journey, from concept to completion, advising on deal structure, funders, targets, buyers and price negotiations. The team proactively creates deals and brings parties together.
This offers you a unique advantage: strategic legal and financial advice for MBOs, MBIs, acquisitions, disposals and fundraisings all in one place.
“Praised for its ability to go 'go above and beyond' and 'outstanding industry knowledge', Brabners... [handles] the full scope of corporate and commercial matters... Feedback from clients has always been favourable... consistently high-quality level of service.”
The Legal 500 2026
“We've worked with Brabners for more than five years on a number of major corporate, commercial and financing projects. Brabners helps us to identify and address relevant legal issues early. The team is proactive, pragmatic, commercial and works seamlessly with our in-house legal team and other advisers. Put simply, Brabners provides exemplary, cost-effective support.”
Richard May, Partner, General Counsel & Head of Compliance, Omni Partners
“Brabners draws considerable praise from clients for its ‘focused and commercial’ approach. The team is well-positioned to advise on the full scope of corporate and commercial work, including M&A, group organisations, private equity, contracts, e-commerce and data protections matters.”
The Legal 500 2025
“Marcus is superb, very easy to deal with and we have full confidence in the advice we receive.”
Client feedback, Chambers and Partners 2026
“Chris Peace's understanding of the pharmacy sector goes beyond the legal framework. He possesses an inside-out knowledge of the industry, covering operational, regulatory and market dynamics. This holistic perspective ensures that advice is not only legally sound but also strategically aligned with industry best practices and business goals. His ability to make complex issues understandable and his strategic foresight have been invaluable, solidifying his role as a trusted advisor.”
R.B. Healthcare Limited
Recognised for excellence
Corporate law: expert insights
Managing tax risks for internationally mobile employees — 6 practical steps for employers
We outline the key UK tax issues for employers sending staff to the UK and highlight steps to stay compliant while maximising reliefs.
Supreme Court decision increases VAT recovery risk on share sale costs
We explain what the Hotel La Tour decision means in practice and how businesses can manage the resulting VAT risk.
Autumn Budget 2025 — what international businesses need to know about UK tax changes
We break down what the Budget means for international employers, investors and multinational groups.
Last bid standing — Paramount’s Warner Bros takeover & the UK merger control test
We explore why Paramount's bid for Warner Bros is likely to trigger intense scrutiny by UK and EU regulators.
Making acquisitions work — 5 practical lessons from 25 years of deal experience
We set out the practical lessons, human factors and challenges that shape successful transactions, covering strategy, due diligence and post‑completion.
Brabners delivers fourth consecutive year of dealmaking growth
We’ve delivered another strong year of dealmaking, achieving 16% growth and advising on more than £900m in transactions.
London expansion & record revenues drive next phase of growth at Brabners
We’re delighted to announce the opening of a new office in London, marking a major milestone at the end of a year defined by strong financial performance.
ECCTA 2023 — changes to company registers & compliance duties explained
We explore the key changes that the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act ushers in and outline what they mean for companies going forward.
Can The Hundred challenge the IPL? 6 potential key changes explained in new era for English cricket
2025 could well be remembered as the ‘end of the beginning’ for The Hundred.
The evolving role of external counsel in corporate transactions
We break down the recurring challenges that GCs face across transactions and projects and outline how we can help them with practical, flexible support.
Brabners advises shareholders of Rural Solutions on strategic acquisition by Celnor Group
Our corporate team advised the shareholders of Rural Solutions on its acquisition by Celnor Group, an investor in businesses across the TICC sector.
Feeling trapped? Options for succession & exit for law firm partners
We explore the succession options available to law firm partners — from partner buy‑outs to private equity sales, acquisitions and EOTs.
Autumn Budget 2025 — Employee Ownership Trust capital gains tax changes explained
We explore the Chancellor’s decision to change the capital gains tax (CGT) relief available for disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs).
Why employee ownership is reshaping law firm succession
We explore why a law firm might favour an employee ownership model and outline the common themes behind their choice.
The Times Best Law Firms
We're thrilled to have been commended in three separate categories in The Times Best Law Firms 2026.
Supporting an NHS Trust to sell a dental practice to a private buyer
We supported Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) in the successful sale of Sandwich Dental Service.
What acquirers should know about the National Security & Investment Act
We explore what the NSIA means for investors, when to notify and why understanding control is key.
Shaping the future of IVF technology with expert transaction support
We’ve supported IMT Matcher in pursuing strategic partnership with ReproTech LLC, creating a global leader in IVF treatment technology.
Journey to exit — employee ownership advantages & challenges explained
We explore employee ownership as a route to exit and detail the associated benefits and challenges.
Journey to exit — 4 key deal structures when selling a business explained
Selling a business can be a daunting prospect. Yet while there are a variety of ways in which a deal can be structured, they all fall into a few broad categories.
14 top tips for successful mergers & acquisitions
Our experts share 14 of the most crucial lessons they've learned to help companies on the acquisition trail complete deals successfully.
Rethinking earn-outs in insurance M&A — why retained commission income is the metric that matters
As merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in the insurance sector continues at pace, deal structures are evolving to reflect the unique economics of broking businesses.
How specialist EO advisors Brabners support businesses along their employee ownership journey
We support EOBs at three key milestones along the journey: the EO transition, incentivising senior leadership and financial freedom.
Thinking of exiting a business? When to stick, twist or show your hand
Exiting your business (showing your hand) is usually just one of many options that an entrepreneur should consider...
A purpose-led independent law firm, rooted in the North
Driven by our mission to make the difference, we became the UK’s largest law firm to achieve B Corp certification in 2022.
Through The Brabners Foundation, we partner closely with charities and social enterprises across Leeds and beyond to create lasting impact.
Northern Ambition
The collaborative network for purpose-led businesses. We’re building a more sustainable and innovative tomorrow.
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Sustainable Business
In 2022, we proudly became the UK’s largest law firm (and the first outside London) to become B Corp certified.
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Community Impact
We channel the energy of our public-spirited people and clients towards improving our local communities.
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