COREDO > Legal Services and Protection in the United Kingdom

Legal Services and Protection in the United Kingdom

Doing Business in the United Kingdom: Legal Environment for Foreign Companies

The United Kingdom is one of the world’s leading financial centres, with a well-developed legal system, stable judicial precedent, and high standards of corporate governance.

COREDO has been operating since 2016, supporting foreign companies, non-residents, and regulated entities in the United Kingdom — from selecting the appropriate legal form and company registration through to ongoing compliance advisory and representation before the FCA.

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Cost of the services
from 500 EUR

Business Environment in the United Kingdom

Taxation

The UK has a tiered corporate tax system: 19% for profits up to £50,000, 25% for profits over £250,000, with a marginal relief mechanism applied between £50,001 and £250,000. Tax is payable 9 months and 1 day after the end of the accounting period.

VAT registration is mandatory once turnover reaches £90,000. The standard VAT rate is 20%. Non-resident companies operating in the UK must comply with full UK tax obligations, including transfer pricing rules.

Licensing

Financial activities are regulated by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), covering banks, payment institutions, investment firms, insurers, and crypto companies. From 2025–2026, crypto assets fall under a full FCA FSMA authorization regime. UK licenses are not valid in the EU and vice versa, requiring separate authorisation in each jurisdiction.

Reporting

All companies registered in the United Kingdom are required to file annual financial statements with Companies House and a Company Tax Return (CT600) with HMRC — within 12 months after the end of the accounting period. Late filing triggers automatic penalties. Companies with a listing or under PRA prudential supervision carry additional reporting obligations.

Our Services for Businesses in the United Kingdom

COREDO provides a full range of legal services for companies operating in the United Kingdom:

Company registration and legal form selection

Limited Company (LTD), LLP, Branch of Foreign Company; support with Companies House filings

Drafting and review of legal documentation

Memorandum & Articles of Association, commercial contracts, NDA, GDPR policies, internal AML/CFT policies

Contract legal review

structuring contracts under English law, identification of legal risks

Transaction and negotiation support

M&A under English law, investment agreements, SHA

Representation before authorities

interaction with FCA, Companies House, HMRC; support during inspections and regulatory enquiries

Tax and regulatory advisory

corporation tax, VAT, non-resident rules, transfer pricing

Support for regulated entities

FCA Authorisation for EMI, PSP, CASP: documentation preparation, regulatory engagement

Legislative monitoring

tracking FCA Handbook updates, tax reforms, post-Brexit regulatory developments

Who Turns to Us

Legal protection services in the United Kingdom are sought by:

Foreign companies entering the UK market or establishing subsidiaries

Non-residents with assets and operations in the United Kingdom who require compliance advisory

Regulated entities — EMI, PSP, crypto companies — undergoing FCA authorisation or transitioning to the FSMA regime

Fintech and crypto startups targeting the UK market and FCA licensing

Companies with cross-border operations between the UK and the EU, where parallel compliance with two regulatory regimes is required

Companies under regulatory pressure — facing enquiries from FCA, Companies House, or HMRC

How We Work

Initial consultation

we analyse the client’s current legal position: jurisdiction, type of activity, existing licences, and regulatory status in the United Kingdom.

01

Legal audit

we review the company’s documentation, assess compliance with English law, FCA Handbook, and HMRC requirements. We identify areas of risk.

02

Strategy development

we determine the optimal legal protection format: one-off consultations, packaged outsourcing, or ongoing advisory.

03

Legal support

document preparation, interaction with FCA/HMRC/Companies House, contract structuring, negotiations with counterparties.

04

Ongoing support and monitoring

regular monitoring of changes in the FCA Handbook, tax legislation, and post-Brexit regulatory developments, keeping the client informed.

05

Timelines

Legal Opinion:

approximately 1 week — standard timeframe

One-off consultation (up to 5 hours):

1–2 business days

Legal Outsourcing start:

3–5 business days from agreement on terms

Contract documentation:

5–10 business days depending on complexity

Pricing

Service	Cost
Legal Opinion	from EUR 500
Legal Outsourcing — 5 hours	EUR 550
Legal Outsourcing — 10 hours	EUR 1,000
Legal Outsourcing — 20 hours	EUR 1,800
Legal Outsourcing — 40 hours	EUR 3,200
Legal Outsourcing — 80 hours	EUR 5,600
Legal Outsourcing — 160 hours	EUR 9,600
One-off consultation Basic (up to 5 h)	EUR 130/hour
One-off consultation Standard (from 20 h)	EUR 100/hour
One-off consultation Premium (from 80 h)	EUR 80/hour

Pricing depends on the complexity and scope of work. Submit a request for a tailored estimate.

Our Experts

Pavel Kos

Head of Legal. At COREDO since June 2017. Has led the legal team since 2020. Specialises in licensing, corporate law, and transaction support, including jurisdictions operating under a common law system.

Basang Ungunov

Lawyer. At COREDO since June 2022. LLM in civil law. Specialises in preparing legal opinions and legal review of contractual documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does legal protection for businesses in the United Kingdom include?

Legal protection in the UK covers company registration and support, drafting and review of contracts under English law, FCA and HMRC compliance, representation before regulators, and advisory on corporation tax and VAT. COREDO works with both non-residents and UK-registered companies.

Is personal presence in the United Kingdom required?

No. COREDO works remotely. Company registration, document preparation, and interaction with regulators are carried out without the client’s physical presence. A power of attorney is arranged where necessary.

How much does legal support in the UK cost?

Legal Opinion — from EUR 500, with a timeframe of approximately 1 week. Legal outsourcing packages range from EUR 550 (5 hours) to EUR 9,600 (160 hours). One-off consultations: EUR 80–130/hour. Pricing is calculated individually.

How quickly can COREDO start working?

Legal Outsourcing begins within 3–5 business days. A Legal Opinion is prepared in approximately 1 week. One-off consultations are available within 1–2 business days.

Can COREDO represent a company before the FCA?

Yes. COREDO supports the full cycle of FCA interaction: preparing authorisation documents, responding to regulatory enquiries, and providing support during both scheduled and unscheduled inspections.

Does COREDO work with crypto companies in the UK?

Yes. COREDO provides legal support for companies working with crypto-assets in the UK: transitioning from MLR registration to full FCA authorisation under FSMA, preparing FCA documentation, and ongoing compliance advisory.

Contact Us — Legal Support in the United Kingdom

Our experts are ready to help. Submit a request — we will get back to you within 1 business day.

Phone: +420 228 886 867 Email: info@coredo.eu Office: K Cervenemu dvoru 3269/25a, Prague, 130 00, Czech Republic