Our team of experienced lawyers is able to advise businesses and business people in relation to their day to day and project related requirements.

With a range of expertise, the team is well placed to work with directors, senior management and shareholders. Our clear thinking approach, provides our clients with an easy understanding of complex issues.

Business & Commercial

Business and commercial

As well as in-depth experience of corporate law, our commercial team at Hutchinson Thomas has an excellent understanding of the business world. Our legal help will ensure your enterprise runs smoothly and our insight and advice will take into account your organisation’s goals and ambitions.

Business-focused legal advice

We know how essential it is that legal issues are dealt with quickly and efficiently to allow businesses to keep operating without incident and so that your team can concentrate on building a successful enterprise. As well as advising you on legal problems, we can also work with you to put robust contracts in place that will minimise the risk of disputes or difficulties in your commercial transactions.

As well as in-depth legal knowledge, our corporate solicitors know how important it is to keep in mind a business’s long-term strategy. We work proactively with you to ensure that your legal foundation is sound and that your interests and rights are protected.

We make sure that we keep you updated throughout any transactions and that we are always available to speak to you to discuss progress and answer any questions you may have.

Who we work with

We often develop long-term relationships with our clients, which helps us to build an in-depth understanding of their businesses and their focus and strategy.

We work with organisations from start-ups and company formations onwards, to include partnerships, small and medium-sized enterprises and companies going through sales, restructuring and mergers.

We help our clients with every legal aspect of their business, including company registration, contract drafting, compliance with legislation, due diligence, shareholder agreements, employment matters and dispute resolution.

In-depth corporate advice

Our corporate solicitors have wide practical experience in their areas of expertise and understand the risks and opportunities you are likely to face. Our advice is pragmatic, clear and easy to understand.

Some of the main areas we cover include:

Business disputes
Business sales
Business purchase or acquisition
Shareholder and partnership agreements
Share purchase and share sale agreements
Terms and conditions
Agency and distribution agreements
Sale and supply of goods agreements
Supply of services agreements

As well as our business and commercial team, we have colleagues in adjacent areas such as employment law, intellectual property and dispute resolution so that we can provide you with a full service.

Working with Hutchinson Thomas

We understand what you need from your legal advisers to keep your business running smoothly. We will ensure that you have well-drafted documentation in place that will reduce the risk of a dispute arising. If you do encounter a problem, we will work quickly to deal with it before it escalates.

We understand how important it is to resolve issues without delay and we are innovative and skilled in finding the right solutions. We can negotiate on your behalf to resolve problems and believe in settling issues where possible without recourse to the courts. If you do become involved in litigation, we will represent you vigorously.

Contact us

Hutchinson Thomas is the first law firm in Wales to be awarded the Law Society Mark of Excellence. The firm and many of our lawyers are recognised year on year in the Legal 500 publication as leading individuals in their field.

If you would like to discuss how we may be able to help your organisation, we would be happy to hear from you. Please feel free to call us on the following numbers or fill in our contact form.

01792 439 000 (Swansea) 01639 640 150 (Neath) Make Online Enquiry

Our Business & Commercial Team

Roger Morris

Partner

01639 645 511

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Partner

Roger is a partner at Hutchinson Thomas, head of the corporate and commercial team and a Notary Public.

As well as having extensive corporate experience, he also specialises in complex property matters and sports law.

His advice is pragmatic and he is known for his effective problem solving and practical, hands-on approach. He has exceptional depth of expertise in his specialist areas and a strong understanding of the commercial needs of his clients.

Roger’s clients range from sole traders to large companies and property developers across South Wales. He is trusted and respected by clients and other practitioners alike, receiving regular referrals from professionals in other fields, including accountants and financial advisers.

He represents and advises clients in respect of commercial contract negotiations, shareholder and partnership agreements, company sales and purchases, complicated property cases and sport discipline.

His expertise in property issues means he can act for clients across a transaction involving both commercial and property matters, rather than having to refer them to a different lawyer.

Recent property successes include working for a client in the development of a leisure complex for a holiday village involving planning and difficult legal property matters as well as a complicated sale of industrial units with contentious land issues.

Hutchinson Thomas is one of the few firms in South Wales outside Cardiff to offer notarial services. The firm has two Notaries Public available, including Roger, who are qualified to deal with documents in respect of foreign legal matters, confirming the authenticity of business documents for use overseas, dealing with paperwork for land transactions abroad, arranging for documents to be executed at foreign embassies or apostilled at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and drawing up and witnessing powers of attorney for use overseas.

Roger has also developed the commercial aspect of his practice into the field of sports law. As a World Rugby Judicial and Appeal Officer dealing with discipline and misconduct in Rugby Union, he has been assigned to the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cup. He has also acted in cases for RBS Six Nations, European Professional Rugby, Celtic Pro 12, RFU and WRU and is chair of the Guinness Pro 14 Discipline Committee.

He is recognised for his legal expertise in the Legal 500.

Education

Ystalyfera Grammar School, Swansea Valley; Cwmtawe Comprehensive School, Swansea Valley; Emmanuel College, Cambridge MA (Cantab) History, Law.

Career

Trained at L C Thomas & Son (now Hutchinson Thomas); qualified 1979; Partner at L C Thomas & Son 1979; Notary Public 1985

Clerk to Neath Port Authority

Notary Public

Other information

Roger represents and advises numerous local organisations on a voluntary basis, particularly golf, cricket and rugby clubs.

He is an honorary life member of Neath Cricket Club, a life member of Glamorgan CC and a member of MCC.

He is a former member and chair of Cricket Wales and a golf club trustee.

Darren Davies

Operations Partner

01639 645 173

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Operations Partner

Darren is a partner specialising in commercial and company law, in particular franchise matters and intellectual property.

With a strong commercial understanding, he is able to assess clients’ businesses as a whole and find innovative solutions to difficult issues. By considering the options available and talking them through with his clients, Darren is known for both problem solving and his ability to move cases forward.

He also has expertise in commercial dispute resolution, working to resolve disagreements in the most cost-effective and efficient way possible.

Under Darren’s leadership of the Franchise Team, Hutchinson Thomas has membership of the accredited British Franchise Association, the main regulator for the UK franchise industry. The Association sets high standards, requiring accreditation for all members, and is known for championing excellence in ethical British franchising.

Darren is recognised by the British Franchise Association as a QFP (Qualified Franchise Professional), having completed the specialist qualification.

Darren has worked with businesses to turn their enterprises into franchises that have been offered across the UK.

He also specialises in intellectual property matters, in particular trademark applications.

When working with clients, he is a hands-on lawyer, providing a personal service and ensuring he is available whenever needed. He builds long-term relationships with his clients, providing stability of service and meaning that he has an in-depth understanding of their businesses and legal needs.

Education

Cwmtawe Comprehensive School, University of Wales, Swansea (LLB); University of the West of England, Bristol (Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice).

Career

Joined Hutchinson Thomas in 2006, became a partner in 2015. Now head of the Franchise Team & Criminal Team.

Other information

Hutchinson Thomas is heavily linked with the children’s hospice Tŷ Hfan, with Darren representing the firm and organising fund-raising events, to include business lunches, golf days and croquet events. With the aim of raising £10,000 per year for the charity, £50,000 has been raised over the past five years. Hutchinson Thomas is a corporate partner of the hospice.

Member of Neath Round Table and Vice Chairman of the Area of Round Tables; Area 43 Chairman as of April 2021.

A Governor of Rhos Primary School.

Past Director of Neath AFC; Management Committee member of Neath Cricket Club.

In any spare time, Darren enjoys spending time with his young family, running and playing golf.