Harper James Company Profile

Background

Overview

Harper James is a full-service national commercial law firm established in 2014 by Toby Harper. The firm is dedicated to providing expert legal services tailored to the needs of ambitious and entrepreneurial businesses across the UK. With a mission to make high-quality legal advice more accessible and affordable, Harper James has developed innovative service models, including unique subscription plans and a remote-working structure, to support businesses at various stages of their growth journey.

Mission and Vision

Harper James aims to enable growth-oriented businesses to succeed by delivering top-quality and accessible legal services. The firm's vision is to create a world where all viable businesses thrive and contribute to a healthy economy through access to excellent legal services delivered by professionals who enjoy a true work-life balance.

Industry Significance

By adopting a remote-working model and offering subscription-based legal services, Harper James has disrupted the traditional legal industry. This approach allows the firm to provide cost-effective, high-quality legal support to a diverse client base, ranging from start-ups to established businesses, thereby addressing a significant gap in the market for accessible legal services.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

• Accessibility and Affordability: Making expert legal advice available to businesses of all sizes at transparent and competitive rates.

• Flexibility: Offering scalable legal support through subscription plans that adapt to the evolving needs of clients.

• Quality Service: Ensuring that clients receive advice from experienced, partner-level solicitors with an average of 17 years of post-qualified experience.

Areas of Specialization

Harper James provides a comprehensive range of legal services, including:

• Corporate Law: Venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, and EMI share option schemes.

• Commercial Law: Contracts and agreements, joint ventures, and franchising.

• Employment Law: Advisory services for employers.

• Intellectual Property: Protection strategies, disputes, patents, and utility models.

• Data Protection and Privacy Law: Ensuring compliance with UK GDPR and related regulations.

• Dispute Resolution: Handling a broad range of commercial disputes.

• Commercial Property: Advising on property transactions and leases.

• Banking and Finance Law: Providing guidance on financial regulations and transactions.

• IT and Commercial Technology: Assisting with technology-related legal matters.

• Tax Law: Offering tax-related legal advice.

Key Technologies Utilized

The firm leverages cloud-based technology to enhance efficiency in remote working and service delivery. This technological integration ensures that clients receive timely and high-quality legal support.

Primary Markets Targeted

Harper James serves a diverse clientele, including:

• Start-ups and Scale-ups: Providing foundational legal support and guidance through growth phases.

• Established Businesses: Assisting with ongoing legal needs and strategic initiatives.

• Technology and Innovation Sectors: Offering specialized services tailored to the unique challenges of tech companies.

• SMEs: Delivering cost-effective legal solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

On June 25, 2025, Harper James secured private equity investment from LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group. This investment is intended to support the firm's growth initiatives, including technological advancements and service expansion.

Revenue Growth

In the financial year ending November 2023, Harper James reported a 42% increase in revenue, reaching £9.8 million. The firm is on track to double its team of lawyers by 2025 and aims to achieve a turnover of £20 million by the fiscal year 2026, solely through organic growth.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

Harper James utilizes cloud-based platforms to facilitate efficient remote working and service delivery. This approach minimizes overhead costs and enhances the firm's ability to provide timely legal support to clients nationwide.

Significant Scientific Methods

The firm employs advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to improve operational efficiency and client service. These tools assist in document management, legal research, and client communications, ensuring a streamlined service experience.

Leadership Team

Toby Harper – Founder & CEO

Toby Harper founded Harper James in 2014, bringing experience from boutique corporate law firms and a leading venture capital fund. His vision was to create a law firm that offers flexible, affordable, and high-quality legal services to growing businesses.

Adam Kudryl – Chief Legal Officer & Head of Corporate

Adam oversees the legal services aspects of Harper James, ensuring the delivery of high-quality corporate legal advice.

Ben Evans – Partner and Head of Trade Marks

Ben is a dual-qualified solicitor and Chartered Trade Mark Attorney, assisting clients with trade mark clearance, brand strategy, and intellectual property disputes.

Craig Mellon – Chief Technology Officer

Craig focuses on leveraging advanced technologies, particularly AI, to enhance operational efficiency and client service.

Ian Carson – Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution

Ian has over 25 years of experience handling a broad range of commercial disputes, providing strategic advice to clients.

Jill Bainbridge – Head of Intellectual Property

Jill specializes in intellectual property protection, dispute resolution, and brand management, with over 20 years of experience in the field.

John Pauley – Financial Services Partner

John offers specialist knowledge in financial services regulation, payment services, electronic money, consumer credit, and anti-money laundering legislation.

Parmjit Gill – Partner and Head of Commercial Property

Parmjit brings over 20 years of experience in private practice and industry, advising clients on commercial property matters.

Leadership Changes

In June 2025, Harper James secured private equity investment from LDC, leading to the appointment of Chris Handy as a board member. Chris brings extensive experience in private equity and will support the firm's strategic growth initiatives.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The legal services market in the UK is experiencing a shift towards more flexible and client-centric models. Firms like Harper James are capitalizing on this trend by offering subscription-based services and leveraging technology to enhance service delivery. The market is characterized by increasing demand for cost-effective legal solutions, particularly among SMEs and start-ups.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the UK legal services market include:

• Graysons Solicitors: A traditional law firm offering a range of legal services with an estimated annual revenue of $16 million and 66 employees.

• MKB Solicitors: Provides comprehensive legal services with an estimated annual revenue of $10.4 million and 48 employees.

• UnionLine: Offers legal services primarily to trade union members, with an estimated annual revenue of $23 million and 85 employees.

These competitors primarily operate under traditional law firm models, which may lack the flexibility and cost-effectiveness offered by Harper James's innovative approach.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

In June 2025, Harper James secured private equity investment from LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group. This partnership aims to support the firm's growth initiatives, including technological advancements and service expansion.

Operational Insights

Strategic Considerations

Harper James's remote-working model and subscription-based services provide a distinct competitive advantage by reducing