At LegalVision, I see first-hand how differently businesses operate when legal support is accessible and ongoing. Too often, legal advice is delayed because of cost uncertainty or fear of slow turnaround. Our experience shows that when those barriers are removed, business owners involve lawyers earlier, make better decisions and avoid issues escalating. Legal works best when it supports everyday decision-making, not just emergencies. Most legal risk cuts across contracts, people and growth plans, which is why having a dedicated legal team that understands your business matters. When businesses have that support in place, they move faster, budget with confidence and operate knowing legal advice is there when they need it.

As the Co-Head of Legal at LegalVision, I spend a lot of time speaking with founders and business leaders in the North West who only involve lawyers when something has already gone wrong. It is understandable. Legal advice has a reputation for being expensive, slow and reactive. But from what I see day to day, businesses that treat legal as an ongoing part of how they operate are far better placed to move quickly, manage risk and grow with confidence. 

Below are the key principles I share with business owners who want to get more value from legal support.

1. Do not wait for a problem before calling a lawyer

One of the biggest mistakes I see is treating legal advice as a last resort.

• By the time a dispute or issue arises, options are often limited
• Early advice can prevent problems from escalating
• A short conversation at the right time can save months of disruption later

My advice is simple. If a decision feels commercially important, it probably deserves legal input before you act.

2. Remove the fear around legal costs

I regularly hear business owners say they avoided asking a question because they were worried about the bill.

• That hesitation often leads to bigger and more expensive issues later
• Cost uncertainty changes behaviour in unhelpful ways
• Predictable legal costs encourage earlier and better decision-making

In my experience, businesses make better choices when legal advice feels accessible rather than intimidating.

3. Prioritise speed and responsiveness

In a growing business, timing matters.

• Delays in legal advice can stall hiring, deals or product launches
• Slow turnaround often creates commercial risk, not just frustration
• Quick, practical guidance keeps momentum moving

I always encourage businesses to work with legal teams that are set up for ongoing support rather than one-off matters.

4. Think of legal as something that cuts across the whole business

Legal risk rarely sits in a single department. Most of the businesses I work with need advice across:

• Contracts and supplier relationships
• Employment and people issues
• Customer terms, policies and compliance
• Property, expansion and operational change

Having one legal team with a full understanding of the business usually leads to more consistent and commercially sensible advice.

5. Invest in a long-term legal relationship

The most effective legal support comes from relationships built over time.

• Lawyers who know your business can give faster and more relevant advice
• You spend less time explaining context on every new issue
• Advice becomes more strategic, not just reactive

I see the best outcomes where legal advisers are treated as an extension of the leadership team.

6. Use legal support to enable growth, not just manage risk

Some of the most successful businesses I work with use legal proactively.

• They standardise contracts before scaling
• They clean up documentation ahead of investment or expansion
• They reduce disputes by tightening terms early

When legal work is done early, it gives leaders confidence to move faster and take informed risks.

Final thoughts

Legal issues are rarely isolated. They affect people, contracts, customers and long-term strategy. When business owners have access to legal support that is practical, responsive and understands commercial reality, it changes how confidently they operate. In my experience, that confidence can be a real competitive advantage.

As a pro-manchester member, you can book a free legal health check or free legal consultation with our team. Contact us on the LegalVision website or call us today on 0808 196 8584.