Case study based testimonials

Here are just a few examples of work done. These and other clients are willing to speak with you about the service they have received from Altmore. Feel free to enquire for referees in other categories of work not mentioned here.

Intermediaries

What was the job?

Company and business sale Ventura Business Brokers offer a professional, proactive and highly confidential service to the owners of privately owned businesses throughout the UK. We are result driven and our service is personal, and comprehensive. Our fees are competitive and our typical client business will be in the £750k to £10m value range.

Critical to achieving a successful completion is ensuring that we are working with a really good solicitor once an in-principle sale has been agreed.

Why the particular lawyer or firm chosen?

Chris Muris, who has a City of London background of many years, came to our attention through a recommendation.

What happened?

The first job went extremely well and we've had a great working association ever since with what is now Altmore Business Law. After several successful completions Steve Batch, our MD, wrote to Chris Muris without prompt:

I have to say we have been extremely impressed with the way in which you have dealt with the transactions we have worked on together. As ever, each deal had its own particular complex issues but your ability to work to deadlines and adopt a 'selling team' approach, led to timely completions to the total satisfaction of our mutual clients. As I mentioned when we met, we have had some pretty awful experiences with lawyers allegedly on our side in the past.

Contact

Steve Batch, Managing Director, Ventura Business Brokers Ltd.
Telephone: +44 (0)845 300 1642
www.venturabusinessbrokers.co.uk

Debt reorganisation/ MBO

What was the job?

We acquired the Grantham Fabrications business in January 2004 through a management buy out supported by Bank of Scotland. Part of the price was deferred using loan notes issued in favour of the sellers. We reached a point in 2007 when we were able to reduce our overall indebtedness and further reduce costs by transferring some remaining debt from the note holders to the bank.

Why the particular lawyer or firm chosen?

The solicitors acting on the original MBO were well outside the East Midlands. On the refinancing we had a little more time to do some research to find an appropriate in-Region solicitor. We wanted someone with the intelligence and acumen to put together what ever we needed from company, commercial and banking law perspectives. More important still, we needed someone who had the background to do this job properly and well.

What happened?

The job went well, our choice vindicated. We were especially pleased with the clarity of the drafting, having received many impenetrable documents from law firms over the years.

Contact

Ian Leggatt, Finance Director, Grantham Fabrications.
Telephone: 01476 577037

Company and business sale/purchase

What was the job?

Sale of business.

Why the particular lawyer or firm chosen?

After many years the time had come to sell our commercial fleet hire business, if we could, and put the proceeds towards retirement. We had no experience with the sale process and all the accompanying hazards. Nor did we know of a really good specialist solicitor in whom we could entrust our biggest asset. After some enquiring we decided to instruct Chris Muris who came with a particularly strong recommendation.

What happened?

Many months later Chris telephoned to ask if we would provide this reference for inclusion on the Altmore Business Law website. The long and the short of it is that we cannot sing his praises high enough. While so often dealing with professionals can be hard going, we enjoyed a really good working relationship throughout. Chris was a dynamic force where others seemed lethargic. We still feel to this day that but for his chasing and efforts to keep the process moving forward, the sale would have taken considerably longer, or failed.

Contact

Brefni and Sandra Grant.
Telephone: 07967 188137

Commercial agreements; intellectual property; international

What was the job?

Commercial agreements; intellectual property;

What was the job?

Premier, established in 1922, is one of the world’s leading brands in the design, manufacture, distribution and sale of drums and other percussion instruments.  Major names in military, marching, traditional and rock bands use our products as do many symphonic orchestras. 

During its redevelopment stage in 2009, Premier required the skills and expertise of a solid/experienced solicitor to assist in a whole range of legal work, namely; shareholder agreement; loans and debentures; intellectual property matters; various commercial agreements, i.e. dealer, distribution, endorser, tooling agreements – the list continues to grow. 

Why the particular lawyer or firm chosen?

Location and the personal hands on service offered by a small friendly firm.  The good fortune is all ours!

What happened?

Chris provided a highly flexible service to us within short timeframes.  His commitment was outstanding and as a result the business continues to flourish.  

Contact

Premier Music International Limited

Nigel Sims, MD
Phone: 01162791444
E-mail:  ns@pmil.net

Karen Bourgault
Phone: 01162791423
E-mail:  kb@pmil.net
                                                                                                                                                      

Partnership dispute/ dissolution

What was the job?

Partnership dispute/ dissolution

Why the particular lawyer or firm chosen?

Pot luck one might say. Fortune was very good to me.

What happened?

The partnership was dissolved and I got to keep the business on terms satisfactory to me.

My other thoughts?

Here are some extracts from a letter I wrote soon after resolution:

"Dear Chris,

A short note is essential to thank you, in however inadequate depth, for bringing about the resolution of the difficult situation I faced in my partnership dispute...

Had it not been for your thorough understanding of the [Partnership] Act [1890], your undoubted skill in interpreting the same and the craft, that I can only describe as being impressively pre-emptive in nature at all times, which you employed in dealing with the opposing professionals, I do believe that I would have languished in a state of faithlessness in justice and emotional turmoil for considerably longer that I have...

The highlight must be your communication to the opposing solicitors setting out the alternative route to an early settlement. It was both disarming and masterful, a rare combination of effects, and clearly very influential on the outcome."

Contact

Hans Calvert, proprietor
Union (contemporary interiors, original art and interior design)
Garden Yard (a unique and eclectic mix of reproduction and contemporary architectural garden elements).
Telephone: 01476 574 888.
www.thegardenyard.com.