Code Law AG is a Zurich-based legal consultancy that offers tech-supported legal services customised to the needs of start-ups and SMEs.

We spoke to Fabio from Code Law to find out how Aequitec can work with Code Law to provide a flexible and digital legal offering for startups and SMEs.

Could you briefly describe what you do at Code Law?

At Code Law, we have made it our mission to rethink and simplify legal advice for SMEs and start-ups. Our solutions are practice-orientated and support companies in their respective development phase. Our areas of expertise include start-ups, restructurings (incl. conversions of limited liability companies/corporations), financing rounds, employee stock ownership plans (e.g. ESOP and reverse vesting agreements), the drafting and negotiation of commercial contracts of all kinds (e.g. licence agreements, distribution agreements, general terms and conditions) as well as trademark and data protection. We now offer our services in a ‘Legal Counsel as a Service’ mandate, enabling our clients to structure their legal needs flexibly and cost-effectively.

How did you hear about Aequitec?

As part of our ‘Legal Counsel as a Service’ mandates, I often manage our clients’ share register or ESOP. Especially in the case of more complex or larger groups of shareholders, it makes sense to digitise the share register or ESOP. While researching a suitable tool for this, I came across Aequitec. Aequitec has proven to be a reliable partner that greatly simplifies digital share register and ESOP management and makes it legally compliant.

Why did you choose Aequitec as your share register solution?

With Aequitec, we have found an all-in-one solution that maps all processes in a modern, cloud-based platform - simple, efficient and audit-proof. The software perfectly complements our range of services: we can not only provide legal advice, but also implement it directly via a digital tool - a great added value for our customers.

What are the advantages of your ‘Legal Counsel as a Service’ offer together with Aequitec’s digital share register?

Our offering provides companies with a fully integrated external legal department - pragmatic, flexible and efficient. We provide our clients with a dedicated contact person who knows our clients’ internal processes and actively supports them. Thanks to a monthly flat fee, the costs are transparent and predictable for our clients. Whether for day-to-day legal requirements, dedicated tasks such as keeping the share register or preparing and holding general meetings, or as a temporary replacement during a sabbatical or maternity leave - our service adapts flexibly to the needs of our clients. Together with Aequitec, we integrate the legal processes digitally in a cloud-based tool and the client has full access to their data at all times.

Who would you recommend to work with Aequitec and Code Law?

I am thinking in particular of SMEs and start-ups that value a professional investment structure but do not have their own legal resources or require specialised expertise at short notice. Together with Aequitec, we offer a solution that combines legal quality with digital efficiency.

Any final words?

In practice, I often observe that companies wait a long time before professionalising their processes. In my opinion, the intended cost savings are a fallacy, as the costs for the subsequent adjustment of circumstances are often much higher than if professionalisation is carried out in small steps from the outset. Consequently, it seems sensible to me not to wait too long to implement a comprehensive solution such as the one from Aequitec. Aequitec also offers various packages that are geared to the company’s stage of development and thus also enable smaller companies to professionalise their share register on a low cost basis.