Group of sole traders under one name

Hi there,

Is it possible/legal for a group of sole traders to operate under one name? As in three or four sole traders working in the same building doing similar work but giving the premises and website a name? Each sole trader would be registered for tax separately. Social care/health related professionals.

It's called a partnership.

It may or may not be a partnership.

There is nothing to stop a group of autonomous sole traders sharing overheads and branding if that's what's being proposed here.

Yes it wouldn't be a partnership in the legal sense. We wouldn't be registering a business name. Moreover giving the clinic a name and the website would be the name of the clinic listing the individuals. The individuals would be paid directly by the clients they work with and each clinician would do a separate tax return. We would be sharing the cost of the rent

So something like The Grafton Clinic. With a website and shared receptionist and rent and probably covering for each other.

Tax wise, there is no problem.

You would have to make it very clear that they are all separate individuals. If one is sued, they will probably all be sued. Of course, you will be able to say that they are separate but you will spend a lot of time and legal fees in court showing that you are separate.

The name would be important. The Grafton Centre.

I imagine other medical professionals do this. Talk to them before doing anything to see what problems they encountered.