Joint ventures

Specialist legal advice for joint ventures

Joint ventures are being increasingly used as a way for businesses to: expand internationally; achieve funding and synergies; elevate product R&D; access resources and expertise; team up with well-known brands, events and celebrities; and many other uses. Their flexibility, and the wide range of structures available, mean that joint ventures can be designed to meet the needs of both parties while optimising on return.

However, teaming up with another business or indeed any third party can come with inherent risks and challenges. There are many considerations that need to be worked through, particularly when the laws of multiple jurisdictions need to be considered.

Our international and full-service team of lawyers will make sure you establish a venture that will be a success beyond the signing of the legal documentation. We have a pragmatic and commercial approach and, above our legal expertise, we can help support and guide you through the stages of negotiations and process to achieve a successful outcome. We'll ensure both that your business/investment is protected, and that all parties benefit from the arrangement.

We've found Osborne Clarke to be excellent throughout this process. The team has really helped ensure that our interests were protected whilst working through everything very collaboratively.

Chris Lee, Chief Financial Officer at Jellyfish

How we can help you

From conception through to management and beyond, our specialist team can support you with every aspect of a joint venture, including:

• assisting with both 'incorporated' and 'non-incorporated' (i.e. contractual) joint ventures;
• advising in the negotiation of your rights and obligations towards the other parties and (in relation to 'incorporated' joint ventures) towards the joint venture itself; 
• drafting any ancillary agreements necessary to set up and operate the joint venture; and
• senior strategic support and guidance. 

As always it was a pleasure to work with the technically excellent and highly-commercial team at Osborne Clarke.

Frank Webster, Head of Corporate Development, Founders Factory

Our joint ventures lawyers

Our international team helps businesses across a range of sectors address the legal and practical issues with establishing and operating joint ventures across borders.

Our clients range from large, publicly-listed companies, to smaller privately-owned companies. Whatever your size or structure, or reason to set up a joint venture, we will help you to deliver the growth you are looking to achieve.

As a full-service, international law firm, we can support and advise on all of the issues that need to be considered when you’re establishing a joint venture, including regulation; technology and intellectual property, commercial and contractual arrangements; tax structuring; competition; finance; governance; and employment issues.