Frequently Asked Legal Questions

We focus on three main areas: commercial property, corporate & commercial law, and agricultural law. That means we help businesses buy, sell and lease commercial premises, advise on company deals and contracts, and support farmers and landowners with the legal side of their land and businesses.

We are based at 7 Charter Court, Winsford, Cheshire CW7 2FY. We work with businesses, investors and landowners across Cheshire, the North West and throughout the UK. Many of our clients do not need to visit us in person — we handle a lot of work remotely.

The easiest way is to call us on 07587 723897 or email info@anisrahmanchambers.co.uk. You can also use the enquiry form on our contact page. We aim to get back to you the same day or the next working day at the latest.

Yes. NJB Legal is a trading name of NJB Legal Limited, which is authorised and regulated through Nexa Law (SRA No. 633024). The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) sets the standards all regulated solicitors must follow, so you can be confident your matter is in safe hands.

Not at all. We work with all kinds of clients — from sole traders and small family businesses to larger companies and property investors. What matters to us is giving you the same quality of advice regardless of the size of your transaction.

Commercial property law covers the legal side of non-residential property — things like offices, shops, warehouses, factories and land. It includes buying and selling commercial buildings, negotiating leases, dealing with planning issues and handling development projects.

It depends on the complexity of the deal, but most straightforward commercial purchases complete within 8 to 12 weeks. More complex transactions — for example, those involving planning conditions or multiple titles — can take longer. We keep things moving and always keep you updated.

Key things to check include the rent review provisions, the length of the lease and any break clauses, your repair and maintenance obligations, whether you can sublet or assign the lease, and what happens at the end. Getting proper legal advice before you sign can save you a lot of problems later.

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) applies to commercial property purchases in England. The rates differ from residential property — currently 0% on the first £150,000, 2% on the next £100,000, and 5% above that. For leases, SDLT is calculated differently based on the total rent. We work out your exact liability as part of the transaction.

Legally you do not have to use a solicitor, but it would be very risky not to. Commercial property transactions involve title checks, searches, contract negotiations and often planning and environmental issues. A mistake here can be very costly. We make sure everything is checked properly before you commit.

When you buy assets, you pick which parts of a business you want — the equipment, contracts, goodwill — but not its history of debts or liabilities. When you buy shares, you buy the whole company, including any past problems. Both routes have pros and cons depending on your situation, and we can walk you through which is better for you.

A shareholders' agreement is a private contract between the owners of a company that sets out how major decisions are made, what happens if someone wants to sell their shares, and how disputes are resolved. If you have more than one shareholder, having one of these in place from the start can prevent a lot of arguments down the line.

Due diligence is the process of checking everything about a business before you buy it — its contracts, finances, employees, property, any legal disputes and more. It helps you spot any problems before you are committed. We manage the legal due diligence and flag anything you need to know about.

Most businesses need terms and conditions for their products or services, supplier agreements, employment contracts, confidentiality agreements and sometimes distribution or franchise agreements. We draft and review contracts to make sure they actually protect your business rather than leaving gaps.

Agricultural law covers all the legal issues that farmers, landowners and rural estates face. That includes buying and selling farmland, farm tenancy agreements, planning permission for agricultural buildings, diversification projects, and legal issues around subsidies and grants.

A farm business tenancy (FBT) is the most common type of agricultural tenancy agreement in England and Wales since 1995. It sets out the rights and responsibilities of the landlord and tenant for farming land. FBTs can be for a fixed term or from year to year, and the terms can be quite flexible.

Some agricultural buildings benefit from permitted development rights, which means you do not always need full planning permission. But the rules depend on the size of the building, how the land is used, and whether it is in a protected area. We can advise you on what applies to your specific situation.

Diversification — turning a barn into holiday lets or setting up a farm shop, for example — often involves planning permission, change of use, new business contracts and sometimes issues with your existing tenancy or mortgage. Getting the legal side right from the start means fewer surprises later.