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Agency Agreements

Our commercial specialists advise on the opportunities (and the pitfalls to avoid) for principals and agents entering into agency arrangements. Opal Legal has been recognised as a Top 200 UK Law Firm.

Agency Agreements

Appointing an agent to represent your goods and services in a new territory can be an attractive route to developing a new market. We can advise on the opportunities (and the pitfalls to avoid) for principals and agents entering into agency arrangements.    

Principals

We advise principals seeking to establish new agency arrangements, or to expand existing arrangements into new territories, and provide suitable documentation to reflect the details of the model envisaged.  We support our clients in negotiating and concluding distribution agreements and can guide them through the process of coordinating local law advice on the contracts performed in foreign legal jurisdictions where required.

Clients often seek our advice on the Commercial Agents Regulations, and how these affect their position as principal – we provide guidance on these issues and support our clients in creating documents that reflect the requirements of the Regulations and mitigate the exposure of the client as principal. 

We also commonly advise on issues that arise during the life of the contract and can support contract interpretation, and the preparation of variations and extensions to existing agency agreements.

Agent Distributor Agreement

We advise agents at all stages of their agency. We are frequently instructed by agents looking to enter into new agency agreements and require assistance with drafting an agency contract, or, reviewing and understanding the terms of an agency agreement proposed to them by the principal.  We support agents in negotiating and concluding agency agreements and variations to existing agreements.

Our Dispute Resolution team regularly acts for agents who have had their agencies terminated and are seeking an indemnity or compensation payment under the Commercial Agents Regulations. Often difficulties arise during an agency and we are instructed to advise on issues relating to territory or accounts being brought “in-house”.  You can read more about the services we provide in respect of disputes arising from agency arrangements.

Reviewing Laws

Our Agency Agreement Experience

Opal Legal is retained as an expert advisor to the members of Agentbase, the Association of Professional Sales Agents and Sales Agents UK.

Recent examples of our work in this area include:

  • advising on the preparation of heads of terms for the implementation of an arrangement whereby our client would resell consultancy services provided by a third-party supplier in combination with our client’s existing services;

  • preparing a marketing agency agreement, under which our client permits its agent to introduce potential customers for products which the client also makes available direct to customers through its online channel;

  • acting for a variety of principals on the preparation and implementation of their agency agreements to appoint agents on a non-exclusive basis for the sale of goods within the UK.

Reviewing Laws

Why Work With Our Commercial Team

  • We have been ranked as a Top Tier law firm by the Legal 500 for the last seven years and recognised as a Top 200 Law Firm in 2022.

Judge's Table

  • You will have access to 10 commercial lawyers across the Opal Legal Commercial Group that can help with issues relating to commercial contracts, consultancy agreements, distribution arrangements and franchising.

  • You will receive city-quality commercial legal advice and commercial services at regional prices.

  • We provide a partner-led service to ensure you receive the best commercial legal advice and support.

  • We have a large and proactive commercial team which can meet your deadlines.

  • We understand that each matter is unique to your circumstances and that you need support from a commercial lawyer experienced in dealing with various clients and types of work.

  • We are a full-service law firm operating from a one-site office, which means our teams communicate effectively and efficiently. Our commercial team often assists with commercial property and IT / Technology matters.

  • Our commercial team use the latest technology to ensure that we are working as efficiently as possible, and that geographical distance does not prevent us from providing excellent legal advice and client service.

  • Our commercial lawyers were the winners of ‘Corporate Commercial Team of the Year 2021’ at the Manchester Legal Awards.

  • Look at the Opal Legal Promise for further benefits of working with us here.

Courtroom

Testimonials

"Opal Legal Services has been a lifesaver for me. Their team of experts helped me navigate through a complex legal issue with ease. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of legal assistance. Thank you, Opal Legal Services!" 

John Smith

Our Costs

We will provide you with a flexible menu of fee options rooted in our promise of complete transparency over our charges. We assess the value of each project, task, or advice based on its commercial value to you and then provide you with fee options scoped against the type of service and advice you require.

Fee options can include, where appropriate, fixed fees, a retainer, hourly or day rates, or a blend of such options.

We provide you with regular cost updates and will not incur any additional charges without your agreement.

To find out more about the services we can provide, including our retainer service, please give us a call.

Contact Opal Legal Solicitors

If you have any more questions or would like more information, you can contact our Family Law                                                                                              Solicitors on:

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