our Services

Corporate & Commercial

Helping You With

Success At All Stages

Starting, operating and selling a business can be complex, and it is appropriate to have the appropriate team of professionals working for you to ensure your success at all stages. Our lawyers are experienced in all legal aspects of this process, including incorporating a company, reorganization, extra provincial registrations and continuances, and share and asset purchases.

Johnston Franklin Bishop

How We Can Help

We advise and represent a variety of British Columbia corporations, sole proprietorships, and societies, and are proud to work with members of our community of all professions. If you are incorporating, buying, or selling a business, or require assistance with corporate matters such as annual reporting, contractor and employment agreements, service contracts, reorganization for planning or tax reasons, and more, contact Johnston Franklin Bishop today. We can generally assist businesses anywhere in British Columbia.

Corporate & Commercial

Lawyers

Blair Franklin

Lawyer

Andrew Reed

Lawyer

Corporate & Commercial

FAQs

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What do I need when starting a business in BC?

You should consider licensing requirements (e.g. business license, liquor license) and the structure of your business (e.g. proprietorship, partnership, incorporation) and your business name.

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What do my business partner and I need in our agreement?

The factors will depend on the structure of the business (e.g. corporation), nature of the business and the partners. Generally you will want to consider the scope and nature of partners’ relationship, the conduct of the affairs of the business, financing, restrictions on transfer/right of first refusal, dispute resolution/compulsory buy-out, obligation to join in a sale and piggy-back rights, obligation to purchase/obligation to sell, indemnification and discharge of guarantees, insurance policies, sale on death, wills/alter ego trust, remedies on default and family law considerations.

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I’ve been wrongfully dismissed, what can be done?

You may be entitled to compensation under the Employment Standards Act and may be entitled to additional compensation under common law principles. The amount depends on many factors including the years of employment, age and position.

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How can I properly remove a troublesome employee?

You will have to comply with any agreement, the provisions of the Employment Standards Act and common law rules. So the procedure will depend on which of those factors apply.

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How do I transfer my business to a family member?

That depends on the nature of your business, its structure (if it is incorporated), if you are getting paid and what the potential taxes. How to transfer the business will depend on what your goals are.

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What should my employment contract have in it?

Your employment contract should have terms specifying how you will be paid and any benefits you may be entitled to, hours of work, the notice that employer and employee have to give to terminate the agreement and expectations of the employee’s conduct.

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What is the difference between disbursements, other charges and legal fees?

Disbursements are out-of-pocket expenses for things like filing fees with the court or land title office. Other charges include costs for things like photocopying. Legal fees are the costs you are paying the lawyer for their time.

Blog Posts

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Corporate & Commercial

How Protected Is Your Business Name?

This article outlines the ways in which business names can be protected or left vulnerable under business registration, common law trademark principles, and federal trademark registration.

October 28, 2024

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Corporate & Commercial

Setting Up a Corporation in British Columbia

There are many advantages to running a business as a corporation, including options to defer and reduce taxes, preserve wealth, and reduce personal liability. This article describes what is involved from a legal perspective in the initial setup of the corporation under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).

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Corporate & Commercial

Contract Law - Agreements to Agree / Agreements to Negotiate

Historically, Canadian common law has generally held that “agreements to agree” are not enforceable. In modern Canadian law, especially over the past 45 years, this statement has become less reliable. Agreements to agree and agreements to negotiate can be enforceable, and in some cases, they may even create a contractual obligation to negotiate in good faith.

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Corporate & Commercial

Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program

In response to the Covid-19 epidemic, the Canadian government has offered unsecured and forgivable loans to eligible commercial property owners to reduce the rent for small business and to meet the operating expenses for commercial properties.

August 27, 2020

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Civil Litigation

Corporate & Commercial

Estate Litigation

Injury Claims

Real Estate

Getting Out of a Settlement Agreement

For one reason or another, a party to a lawsuit may want to get out of a settlement agreement reached with the opposing party.

November 18, 2020

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Civil Litigation

Corporate & Commercial

Estate Litigation

Injury Claims

Real Estate

Being Represented by a Lawyer at the CRT

In all levels of court within British Columbia, persons have the right to be represented by legal counsel. This is not necessarily the case with the Civil Resolutions Tribunal (or CRT).

November 11, 2020

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