We advise founders, boards, family businesses and in-house counsel on company structure, shareholders’ agreements, resolutions and changes in ownership.
Overview
Corporate advisory is legal guidance on how a business is set up and run. It covers the choices owners make at the start, such as the form of the company and how ownership is shared, and the decisions that follow as the business grows.
Many problems in a company begin as unwritten understandings. Two founders agree on a split, a director signs on behalf of the company, or a family business changes hands without a clear plan. Advice early on puts these points in writing, so everyone knows where they stand.
In Pakistan, companies are generally registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and are subject to company law and other regulation. Which rules apply depends on the type of business and what it does.
We explain each option in plain English, set out the risks, and give a clear recommendation you can act on. Where it helps, we also draft the documents that record the decision.
Who we help
- Founders and business owners setting up a company or changing its structure.
- Boards and directors who want to understand their responsibilities before making a decision.
- Family-owned businesses planning a change in ownership or management.
- In-house counsel who need a second opinion or extra capacity on a corporate question.
How we work
- We listen to the business situation and the decision you need to make.
- We set out your options and their risks in plain English.
- We agree the scope of work and how fees will be handled, including alternative fee arrangements where suitable.
- We advise, prepare the documents you need, and remain available as the situation develops.
What to bring to a first conversation
Bring a short description of the business and how it is structured, such as who owns it, who runs it and which entities are involved. Any business plan, existing agreements and recent board or management decisions are useful. Tell us the decision you are weighing and the date by which you need to make it. Advice is more useful early, before commitments are made, so a rough plan is enough to begin with. We will say what further information we need.
Typical work
Advice note on company structure, with ownership recorded
Read the related questionShareholders’ agreement draft and negotiation notes
Read the related questionBoard and shareholder resolutions and company records
Read the related questionPlan for a restructuring or change in ownership
Read the related questionAdvice notes on legal and commercial risk
Read the related question
How a company is usually set up and agreed
The order can change with the business. This is a general outline, not advice on your case.
Agree what you want
The owners decide who contributes what, who controls decisions and how they would like to share profit.
Choose the structure
We compare the options, such as a sole proprietorship, partnership or company, and explain the trade-offs.
Register the business
The registration steps depend on the structure chosen. We prepare or check the documents.
Put the agreements in writing
A founders’ or shareholders’ agreement records the rules between owners, including exits.
Keep the records up to date
Resolutions, registers and filings are kept current as the business changes.
Common business structures compared
| Compared on | Sole proprietorship | Partnership | Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | One person | Two or more people | One or more shareholders, depending on type |
| Personal risk | Usually the owner carries the business’s debts | Depends on the partnership type and agreement | Often limited, depending on the company type |
| Raising money from investors | Harder | Possible by agreement | Usually easier, through shares |
| Paperwork and records | Least | Moderate | Most |
Frequently asked questions
Information on this website is general in nature and is not legal advice. Anything that depends on the law is marked until a lawyer has checked it.
What does a corporate advisory lawyer do?
A corporate advisory lawyer gives legal guidance on how a business is set up and run. That includes ownership, shareholder rights, board decisions and changes such as a new investor or a restructuring. The aim is usually to prevent problems, not only to solve them.
More detail
We often work with founders and boards before a decision is made, so the choice is informed and recorded properly.
Do I need a lawyer to start a business in Pakistan?
Not always. Registering a business is an administrative process, and the steps depend on the type of business. A lawyer helps most with the choices around it, such as who owns what, how decisions are made and what happens if owners disagree.
More detail
A short early conversation can show whether you need ongoing help or only a few documents.
Which business structure should I choose?
It depends on how many owners there are, whether you plan to raise money, how much risk you carry personally and what rules apply to you. Common options include a sole proprietorship, a partnership and a company. We compare them for your situation before you register.
More detail
Changing structure later is possible but can cost time and money, so it is worth thinking about early.
What should a founders’ agreement cover?
It should say who owns what share, who does which work, how decisions are made and how money is put in or taken out. It should also cover what happens if a founder leaves or the owners disagree. The right terms depend on the people and the business.
More detail
Putting this in writing early is far easier than negotiating it during a disagreement.
What happens when I bring in an investor?
Usually the owners agree a price and terms, and the investor receives shares or another right in the business. Documents set out the rights the investor gets and the duties of the owners. Existing owners should understand how their own share and control change.
More detail
Investors often carry out a legal check on the business first. Having your records in order saves time.
How do I protect myself if a partner leaves?
Agree the rules before anyone leaves. A written agreement can say how a departing owner’s share is valued, who can buy it, and what the person may and may not do afterwards. Without it, you may have to settle those questions during a dispute.
What records must a company keep?
Companies are generally expected to keep records such as registers of members and directors, minutes of meetings, resolutions and accounts. Exactly which records, and for how long, depends on the type of company and the applicable law. Keeping them up to date avoids problems later.
When should I ask a lawyer about a deal?
Ask before you sign, pay a deposit or announce the deal. Advice is most useful while terms can still change. A lawyer can spot unclear terms and risks early, and explain what you would be committing to. After signing, your options are usually narrower and costlier.
How is legal advice for a business charged?
The firm works virtual-first and offers alternative fee arrangements, which aim to give predictable costs. The fee model depends on the work, so we agree the scope and fee in writing before starting. Ask us about this when you first get in touch.
Glossary
- Shareholder
- A person or organisation that owns shares in a company and so owns part of it.
- Director
- A person who manages a company on behalf of its owners and owes duties to the company.
- Board resolution
- A formal decision of the directors, recorded in writing, for example approving a contract or a loan.
- Shareholders’ agreement
- A contract between the owners of a company that sets out their rights and how decisions and exits are handled.
- Articles of association
- A company’s internal rulebook, setting out how it is run.
- Equity
- Ownership in a business, usually held as shares, which carries a right to a share of its value.
- Restructuring
- A change to how a business is owned or organised, for example merging companies or moving assets.
Sources
Official bodies named for reference. Check the current text of any law with the body itself or with a lawyer.
- Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP)Regulator for companies. Publishes guidance and filing requirements. Check the current rules.
- Companies Act, 2017The main company law. Read the current text on the Pakistan Code or with a lawyer.
- Pakistan Code (Ministry of Law and Justice)Official federal law database.
Questions about your own matter? Send us a message.
General information. Not yet reviewed by a lawyer.
How we write and check this content: editorial policy.
Information on this website is general in nature and is not legal advice.