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Corporate & commercial

From idea to incorporated, in any of our markets.

Company formation and market entry in Nigeria, the UK and Canada, with the structure, licences and compliance that let a business start on a sound footing.

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Registering a company looks simple until it is not. The structure you choose, the way ownership is recorded, the licences your activity requires and the filings you must keep up all shape what the business can do and how easily it can raise money, hire and expand. Getting these right at the outset saves expensive correction later.

We register companies and guide market entry across Nigeria, the United Kingdom and Canada. For founders, that means a clean start. For established and foreign businesses, it means a considered route into a new market, with the local requirements handled properly the first time.

What we help with

Everything it takes to start trading.

01

Company formation

Incorporating private and public companies, and the constitutional documents that govern them.

02

Choosing the right structure

Advising on the vehicle that fits your ownership, liability, tax and growth plans.

03

Foreign company & market entry

Helping overseas businesses establish and register to operate in a new jurisdiction.

04

Licences & permits

Identifying and obtaining the sector licences and permits your activity requires.

05

Post-incorporation compliance

Keeping registers, filings and statutory obligations in good order from day one.

06

Company secretarial

Registered office, record-keeping and the routine filings that keep a company in good standing.

Incorporation is a beginning, not a formality. The choices made on day one shape what a business can do for years.

The Old Stone Legal approach

The law where you are

Registering a business across our jurisdictions.

Nigeria

Corporate Affairs Commission, CAMA 2020

  • Companies are incorporated through the Corporate Affairs Commission under CAMA 2020.
  • Foreign investors often register with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission.
  • Sector activity may require additional licences before trading begins.

United Kingdom

Companies House, Companies Act 2006

  • Companies are formed and maintained through Companies House.
  • Formation is quick, but the right structure and share arrangements still need care.
  • Ongoing confirmation statements and filings keep the company compliant.

Canada

Corporations Canada or Manitoba

  • Businesses may incorporate federally or provincially in Manitoba.
  • Each route differs in reach, naming and residency requirements.
  • Registration and reporting obligations follow incorporation.

How we work with you

A clean route to trading.

01

Choose the structure

We advise on the right vehicle and ownership arrangement for your goals and jurisdiction.

02

Prepare & file

We draft the constitutional documents and complete incorporation with the relevant registry.

03

Licences & registrations

We secure the permits, tax registrations and approvals your activity requires.

04

Ready to trade

We hand over a compliant company with its registers and obligations in good order.

Common questions

Business registration, answered.

In the UK, incorporation is often completed within a day or two. In Nigeria and Canada, timelines vary with the structure, the completeness of documents and any licences required. We prepare everything correctly the first time to avoid the delays that come from rejected filings.
Yes, foreign ownership is generally permitted, subject to registration and, in some sectors, additional requirements and approvals. We advise on the steps a foreign investor should take, including registration with the relevant authorities and any permits needed to operate.
It depends on where and how you intend to operate. Federal incorporation offers nationwide name protection and reach, while provincial incorporation in Manitoba can suit a business focused there. We weigh the trade-offs against your plans and recommend the better fit.
A company must keep statutory registers, make periodic filings, maintain a registered office and meet tax and sector obligations. We can handle these company secretarial matters for you, so nothing lapses while you focus on the business.

Related services

Corporate law Intellectual property Immigration International law

Speak with us

Start your business on solid ground.

Tell us what you are building and where, and we will handle the structure and registration.

Book a consultation