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Start-ups & Early-Stage Business Advice

Starting a business is exciting—but it can come with complex legal challenges. We understand the unique needs of start-ups and early-stage companies. Whether you're laying the foundation for your first venture or scaling a new idea, we're here to provide clear, practical legal and governance advice to help you grow with confidence.

Introducing Our Start-up Pack
To make it easier for entrepreneurs to get started the right way, we’ve also developed a comprehensive and highly cost-effective Start-up Pack—a tailored (for your business) bundle of essential legal documents every new business should have.
Company
Constitution
A professionally drafted constitution tailored to your business structure, helping you avoid generic template pitfalls and providing a solid legal framework for how your company will operate.
Shareholders
Agreement
Protect relationships and your business from the start. Our agreement clearly sets out ownership rights, responsibilities, decision-making processes, and what happens when a shareholder might wish to exit.
Terms of Trade
Clearly written terms and conditions govern your business transactions with customers or clients, designed to protect your business from disputes, non-payment, and liability.
Why it matters

These documents are more than just legal formalities—they are the foundation for transparency, risk management, and long-term success.

Additional Services for Start-ups
In addition to the Start-up Pack, we offer a range of legal services to support start-ups at every stage:
Business structure advice (sole trader, partnership, company, trust)
Intellectual property protection (trademarks, confidentiality agreements)
Employment contracts and contractor agreements
Commercial leases and license agreements
Privacy policies and website terms
Company Set-Up and Compliance

We help you meet your legal obligations under New Zealand law from day one, including:

  • Business structure advice (sole trader, partnership, company, trust)
  • Registering your company with the New Zealand Companies Office
  • Maintaining statutory records, including shareholder registers and director disclosures
  • Ensuring ongoing compliance with the Companies Act 1993
  • Advising directors on their legal duties and responsibilities.

Staying compliant isn’t just about avoiding penalties—it’s about setting your business up for long-term success.

About
Why Start-ups Choose Beacon Law
START-UP FRIENDLY PRICING
Fixed fees available for most services
PLAIN LANGUAGE ADVICE
No legal jargon, just clear commercial guidance
FAST TURNAROUND
An agile specialist firm, we're always able to move at your pace
LOCAL EXPERIENCE AND NETWORKS
Trusted by start-ups throughout New Zealand and internationally
Whether you’re pitching to investors, signing your first customer, onboarding co-founders, or needing help with shareholder equity arrangements, we’ll help you get it right from the start. Let’s build something great.
All initial consultations are complimentary
We believe you should be able to discuss your needs before committing to legal fees. That’s why our initial meetings on new matters are complimentary.
Once we’ve talked through your situation, we’ll outline a clear way forward and provide a transparent estimate of any costs involved.

    LLOYD KAVANAGH
    Formerly General Counsel, New Zealand Milk Limited

    Chris Linton is an outstanding IT and communications lawyer. Uniquely, she brings together a high level of technical understanding, strong legal ability, and value-adding commercial input.
    When you are looking for outstanding external legal advice, you seek out highly qualified technical specialists who also have the business acumen to work with your own business people. Lawyers who combine those skills are rare – Chris Linton is one of very few.

    Formerly to Former
    Formerly General Counsel, New Zealand Milk Limited

    Chris Linton has been outstanding, as both the primary legal advisor and the engagement lead.  Chris has always gone the extra mile to ensure that the initiative is at all times on a sound legal footing, including proactively advising on industry developments that present either risk or opportunity. 

    Michael Foley
    GSN Programme Manager, State Services Commission

    The service delivered was … of the highest quality, including meeting the rigours of public sector scrutiny. We have been particularly impressed with, and appreciative of, [the firm’s] ability and willingness to be responsive to often unreasonable timeline demands driven by public sector decision-making processes

    Dispute
    Resolution
    Governance Advice
    Essential Legislation & Regulation for Tech Companies