Legal and regulatory environment

The UK ‘s legal system is one of the world’s most supportive for businesses. A recent assessment of 183 countries by the World Bank ranked the UK one of the ‘places to do business with key factors including a regulatory environment conducive to starting a business, the ability to enforce contracts, general legal protection for business and a pragmatic and transparent approach to upholding intellectual property rights.

Forming a company in the UK

The UK has a fast, open, transparent and business-friendly system to encourage the formation of new businesses. No permission is required to establish a business presence in the UK and your business can be registered within 24 hours.

Overseas companies must register with Companies House if they set up a place of business in the UK. Find out more information on registering as an overseas company in the UK.

Independent professional advice and assistance on forming a company in the UK can be obtained from accountants, solicitors and company formation agents. Contact us and one of our advisers will put you in touch with relevant organizations with knowledge of your business area.

The UK provides strong support for Intellectual property

The UK is renowned for strongly encouraging business competition, entrepreneurial activity and innovation. A key aspect of this is the protection of new ideas and concepts provided by intellectual property rights (IPR).

The UK is implementing a “Patent Box” to encourage companies to locate the high-value jobs and activity associated with the development, manufacture and exploitation of patents in the UK. It will also enhance the competitiveness of the UK tax system for high-tech companies that obtain profits from patents.

• The Patent Box enables companies to apply a lower rate of Corporation Tax to profits earned after 1 April 2013 from its patented inventions and certain other innovations

• The relief will be phased in from 1 April 2013 and the lower rate of Corporation Tax to be applied will be 10 per cent.

Further information for the ‘Patent Box’ initiative.

The key organisation responsible for overseeing IPR in the UK is the UK Intellectual Property Office which is also responsible for ensuring compliance with International IPR agreements and represents the UK at the World Intellectual Property Organisation, the European Union and the World Trade Organisation.

Immigration for Investors

Setting up in a new country brings the opportunity for you and your staff to work and perhaps live overseas as your new venture comes to life. The UK has recognised this and put in place helpful immigration measures to encourage investment including:

The Visa for Entrepreneurs programme and transparent and clearly accessible visa processes for other staff. Once based in the UK you will have access to the UK education system, our many areas of outstanding natural beauty and our world renowned cultural and sporting activities.

Immigration to the UK

Investors, entrepreneurs, exceptionally talented people and recent graduates from UK universities can apply to enter or stay in the UK without needing a job offer but will need to pass the UK points-based assessment.

For more details and to find out about visas visit the UK Border agency website .

Visas for entrepreneurs and investors - fast and flexible

The UK Government's new rules fast track settlement for high-value investors and entrepreneurs who come to the country and invest large sums of money. Major investors will also enjoy more residency flexibility before they lose their right to settlement. More information is available on the UK Border Agencies web site.

Our investment location services are independent, highly professional and free of charge. For specific help setting up in the UK or for help mapping your business ambitions to the UK please contact the UKTI Investment Services Team through our online enquiry form here.