SPECIALIST PHARMACY SOLICITORS

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1 SPECIALIST PHARMACY SOLICITORS QualitySolicitors Burroughs Day

2 SPECIALIST PHARMACY SOLICITORS Our specialist Pharmacy Team has built a strong reputation for advising pharmacies nationwide. We are focused on owner-managed businesses and understand the issues that working in the pharmacy sector can bring. FEES We understand that keeping control of your legal spend is important. We provide a competitive and transparent fee structure and undertake work either at a fixed fee or within the boundaries of a defined minimum/maximum range. RELATIONSHIP MANAGER We provide all our clients with a dedicated manager who acts as a continuous point of contact throughout your business relationship with us. FREE FIRST ADVICE Whatever legal issue you may need us for, our initial advice is always free. Contacting us won t cost you anything and we are always clear about any services that may incur a cost. EXPERT, COST-EFFECTIVE AND PRACTICAL PHARMACY ADVICE. Our Pharmacy Team work closely with the sector and are proud of our Gold Supplier Partner status awarded by the National Pharmacy Association.

3 BUYING AND SELLING PHARMACIES EMPLOYING AND MANAGING STAFF Choosing the right professionals to advise you is vital in order to ensure the transaction moves along quickly and you are fully informed throughout the process. With our extensive experience from advising clients on a wide range of transactions in the pharmacy sector for many years, we are here to assist and guide you every step of the way. SHARE AND ASSET TRANSACTIONS A pharmacy sale or purchase can be structured in two possible ways, either as a sale/purchase of assets or (if the business is held in a company) of shares. We can discuss your options and advise on the best solution to meet your needs. DIRECT PARTNER INVOLVEMENT We guarantee that you will have direct Partner involvement throughout your transaction. SINGLE AND MULTIPLE BRANCH SALES/PURCHASES We are experienced in buying and selling both single outlets and multiple branches. FAMILIARITY WITH THE APPROACH OF LARGE MULTIPLES Our familiarity with the approach and documentation of the large multiples means we can help you navigate the transaction, manage timescales and keep your costs down. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS SERVICES FOR PHARMACIES Shareholders, partnership and joint venture agreements Trading contracts and management agreements Loan finance and other funding A productive workforce is a key aspect of any successful pharmacy business. However, employing staff and navigating through the heavily legislated area of employment law can be a minefield. Our specialist Employment Law Team is experienced in handling employment issues directly affecting pharmacy businesses. We can help with all your employment matters, leaving you free to concentrate on the important matter of your business. CONTRACTS, POLICIES AND HANDBOOKS The importance of contracts, policies and handbooks cannot be overstated. These documents govern the employment relationship and dictate how you can manage your staff. We will help to ensure that these documents provide you with protection, guidance and the ability to take robust action when necessary. IN-HOUSE HR TRAINING, HELPLINE AND ADVICE PACKAGES We offer in-house HR training on all aspects of employment law to ensure that you are well equipped to handle issues within your business. We also offer low cost advice packages (including a telephone helpline) so that you can always be sure to make the right decisions. GRIEVANCE AND DISCIPLINARY MATTERS When things go wrong, we can help. Handling grievances or taking disciplinary action can be a timeconsuming, frustrating and costly exercise. We can help to deal with disciplinary and grievance matters effectively and efficiently. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND SICKNESS ABSENCE Long-term sickness, persistently absent employees and under-performing employees are a big drain on any business. We can provide expert advice to minimise the disruption and cost caused to your business by sickness absence and poor performing employees. BUYING AND SELLING YOUR BUSINESS Whether buying or selling a pharmacy business, there are employment implications. We carry out comprehensive due diligence and advise on the action you can take to minimise risks, whether your staff are transferring from your control or you are acquiring new staff.

4 REGULATION OF PHARMACIES Pharmacists and pharmacies are subject to a myriad of rules, regulations and standards. As pharmacy law specialists, we will help to ensure that you comply with the relevant legislative requirements as well as any contractual obligations. REGULATION Our experience in regulatory matters is that the earlier you get legal advice, the better and more cost-effective the outcome. As a general proposition, striking the right tone and putting forward the salient facts at the outset will help to limit the damage to your reputation and business. NOTICES We provide representation and advice in relation to remedial notices, breach notices and removals of listings. We can formulate your representations and provide the advocacy required to help you stay on the list. If you have received notice that you are to be removed from a list, we will assist with an appeal. JUDICIAL REVIEW We are also experienced in judicial review. Applications for judicial review are subject to very strict deadlines, so it is important that you seek legal advice immediately. FITNESS TO PRACTICE MATTERS We act in fitness to practice matters for pharmacists, healthcare and other professionals. We recommend that you take advice as early as possible, preferably during the investigation phase, so that we can ensure that your version of events is accurately reflected in the investigator s initial findings before the matter goes to a fitness to practice panel.

5 BUSINESS PROTECTION & DISPUTE RESOLUTION PHARMACY PREMISES Protecting your interests and reputation is key to the success of your business. We can help to ensure your interests are secure and assist you with taking or defending legal action where necessary. We can assist with: Shareholders Agreements Memoranda & Articles of Association Protection of your intellectual property rights Protection against defamation and reputational damage Disputes with directors and shareholders Disputes with suppliers and contractors Premises are essential to your business. The sale or purchase of a pharmacy will invariably include related property aspects. We are experienced in dealing with pharmacies whether on the high street or inside a larger property such as a purpose-built health centre. FREEHOLD AND LEASEHOLD PROPERTY The property may be owned or leased. Some businesses own their building freehold, perhaps with residential tenants living above. Others lease premises in a shopping centre or on the high street. Whatever the circumstances our specialist lawyers are here to help. We will deal with all appropriate searches, enquiries (including planning use) and title investigations. We will report and advise in clear terms in order to achieve a successful outcome. PREMISES IN HEALTH CENTRES Pharmacies are often located in health centres. Your landlord may be the GP practice. Such leases require expert advice as the pharmacy income is dependent on the health centre prescriptions. We will guide you through the potential pitfalls to make sure that the lease contains appropriate terms. For example, you need to ensure that there are suitable provisions should the doctors relocate. NEW BUILD PROPERTY In a new build development you may be able to obtain the benefit of warranties as to the design and construction from the architects and others involved in the build. We can assist with the special requirements of new build property transactions. FINANCE If you are taking up a mortgage, we will deal with your lender s requirements for you. Normally your bank will also instruct us to handle the security documentation. If not, we will liaise with the bank s lawyers.

6 SUPPORTING YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS As well as supporting your business, we provide a full range of legal services for you. We can assist with: Wills and Tax Planning Residential Property Families and Relationships Personal Injury Medical Negligence Litigation Powers of Attorney Employment and Discrimination Mental Capacity Probate Free Services for Pharmacies We offer: Free employment contract and staff handbook reviews Free employment law e-bulletins Free first advice on any legal or regulatory issue Contact our Pharmacy Team for more information.

7 If you would like straightforward advice from a specialist solicitor, our Pharmacy Team are here to help. Please contact us for Free First Advice pharmacy@qsbdlaw.com QualitySolicitors Burroughs Day 2013