Tell us about your companies.

So the adviser you speak to is prepared. Knowing roughly what the group does, what you want to separate, who the shareholders are and how quickly you need to move lets the first call focus on your options rather than background questions. It also helps us tell you quickly whether we're the right fit.

About two minutes. There are three short steps: who you are, the companies and what you want to achieve, and how to reach you. You don't need any documents to fill it in, and you can add the detail on the call itself. If you'd rather not use a form, you can email or phone us instead and we'll respond the same working day.

A band, such as £1m to £5m or £5m to £20m, is enough to show the scale of the work. Value affects which reliefs matter most, how much stamp duty or SDLT could be at stake and how the steps are planned. Few owners have a current valuation when they first call, and you don't need one.

That's common. Choose the band you think is closest, or 'not sure yet'. A rough idea from the balance sheet and any property values is enough for a first conversation. If a valuation is needed later, for example to set share values on a split between shareholders, we'll explain why and when.

If your group is worth £1m or more, or you're an accountant or lawyer introducing a client, you can usually choose a time to talk straight away. Otherwise, we respond the same working day. Either way, your call is with the senior adviser who would design your demerger. You'll get a confirmation so you know the enquiry has arrived.

Yes. Fill in the form as normal and we'll respond the same working day. Smaller companies can still benefit from a demerger, for example to separate a property. But the professional costs of clearances and company law steps need to make sense against the benefit, and we'll be honest about whether they do.

No. Rough numbers are fine: an idea of what each business or property is worth, what's owed against it and how the shares are held. Many people book before they've spoken to their accountant about a demerger at all. The adviser will go through the detail with you. Precise numbers come later, once a route is chosen.

They're used only to respond to your enquiry and prepare for the call. The first conversation is confidential, so you can explain your situation openly, including disagreements between shareholders or a sale that isn't public yet. You can keep names out of the form if you'd rather. Our privacy policy explains how we handle personal data.

No. The first conversation is without obligation. It's about whether a demerger suits your situation and, if so, which routes are worth exploring. If it makes sense to work together, we'll set out the scope and next steps in writing so you can decide in your own time. There's no charge for the first conversation.

Usually what you want to separate and why, how the companies and shares are held today, any property involved, the timetable and anything already in train, such as a sale. The adviser will outline which demerger routes might fit and the main tax questions. It's a conversation, not formal advice.

That's fine. Describe what you're trying to achieve, such as protecting property from trading risk, letting a shareholder go their own way or preparing to sell part of the business. Sometimes a simpler step, like a share buy-back or a holding company, does the job. We'll tell you if so.

Yes. Choose the introducer option on the form and tell us whether you'd like us to speak to you first or to the client directly. We advise only on demerger tax and related reorganisations, so we won't compete for your client's accounts, audit or legal work. You can describe the client in general terms at first if you prefer.

It depends on the route and on HMRC. Most demergers need clearance before any step is taken, and HMRC usually has 30 days from a complete application to decide, longer if it asks questions. Preparing the application and the accounts figures also takes time, so it's worth talking early. We'll give you a realistic timetable on the call.

Yes, and the sooner the better. A planned sale changes which demerger routes and reliefs are available, and HMRC needs to be told about it in any clearance application. Some reliefs can be lost if the steps are in the wrong order, so it's best to speak to us before heads of terms are agreed.

Yes. Where shareholders want to go their separate ways, it often helps for all of them, or their advisers, to hear the same explanation of the options. If relations are strained, we can speak to one side first and agree how best to involve everyone else. Each shareholder may also want their own adviser.