Loomio
Wed 11 May 2022 5:31PM

Cooperative solicitor who knows fair shares

PB Peter Burke Public Seen by 102

Hello

We are looking for a solicitor who understands fair shares and coops in general. For writing shareholder and leaseholder agreements.

I’ve been in touch with a few who aren’t specialist enough and one that is, who are quoting too much. Small or independent would be more preferable, UK based.

If anyone has any ideas, I’d appreciate the introduction or links.

Many thanks

Peter

GM

Guy Major Wed 11 May 2022 5:47PM

try Co-op Wales ?- they have ex-EU money to spend on mems and arts by end of year, and can pay for solicitors outside their own organisation https://cwmpas.coop/

PB

Peter Burke Wed 11 May 2022 9:43PM

Thanks I’ll check it out

G

Graham Wed 11 May 2022 6:00PM

They won't have any in-depth on Fairshares cos its not mainstream co-op, but Anthony Collins Solicitors - https://www.anthonycollins.com - know their stuff on cooperatives. Won't be cheap, but I never meta lawyer who was.

PB

Peter Burke Wed 11 May 2022 9:44PM

Very true Graham :) not heard of these so will Be good to compare with the other quote I received

G

Graham Thu 12 May 2022 9:16AM

Try to speak to Cliff Mills there.

JR

Jeff Regino Fri 13 May 2022 9:38AM

Try reaching out to FairShares' Rory and Cliff. They might be able to give you advice and/or additional referrals.

GN

Gareth Nash Fri 13 May 2022 11:09AM

Hi peter try Cliff Mills at Anthony Collins: [email protected] M: 07712 661919

R

Rory (FSA) Sat 14 May 2022 10:58AM

Peter,

Some of the comments above are misleading.

There are two solicitors at Anthony Collins who are familiar with FairShares (but neither are Cliff Mills who is generally hostile to multi-stakeholder coops in principle). Neither were entirely convinced by FairShares v3.1 provisions so we (FairShares Institute and Coop Exchange) took their advice in preparing v3.2. We did not accept all their advice as it would have fundamentally undermined the more (worker) co-operative ethos of FairShares compared to other models of social enterprise.

I attach the analysis undertaken by the FairShares Institute of the advice received from Anthony Collins, and a review of the changes accepted and rejected. I also attach the first draft of model rules created by the association after processing their analysis.

You can create your own Articles using the FairShares Rules Generator, which was based of the attached draft.

You might also contact @Graham Boyd to see which solicitor(s) he and his clients work with. They will all have experience of FairShares.

R

Rory (FSA) Sat 14 May 2022 11:03AM

@Steve Gill Can you remember the names of the teo solicitors.

Might Aaron also be able to help this person?