Legal advice

The small business legal advice section provides in-depth guides and features on tax, company and employment law for UK SMEs and sole traders.

Are purchase orders legally binding?

Are purchase orders legally binding? What are the benefits of a purchase order and how does the process work? Paul Barnes explains more

Legal advice

Buying property through a company – can you rent back your own home?

Can a private individual set up a company to buy houses and then buy their own house through that company and rent it back? Are there any benefits of doing this?

Legal advice

Adapting for disabled customers

The Equality Act affects the way you treat your staff, job applicants and customers. Under the Equality Act, small and medium-sized businesses have to make 'reasonable adjustments' so they do not discriminate against disabled customers.

Legal advice

Gaining settled status for European employees – what employers should do

Helen Jamieson of Jaluch tells us what role employers play in securing the settled (or pre-settled) status of their European employees

Legal advice

8 legal considerations for setting up a business during the pandemic

Nick Owens of Harper James Solicitors explains what legalities you should be considering if you're starting a business during the pandemic.

Legal advice

How going insolvent could be the best way to save your business

How you can save your small business by becoming insolvent. A step-by-step guide to going into administration versus a CVA.

Employing & managing staff

How to deal with a furloughed employee who refuses to return to work

Tribunals are expected to weigh in favour of employees who say they haven’t gone back to work because they feel unsafe during Covid-19. What can a small business owner do?

Legal advice

Tenants back to facing eviction for non-payment of rent as shops reopen

Draft voluntary code due to be published this week makes no mention of extending eviction protection for small businesses unable to pay rent

Employing & managing staff

How to deal with a furloughed employee who refuses to return to work

Tribunals are expected to weigh in favour of employees who say they haven’t gone back to work because they feel unsafe during Covid-19. What can a small business owner do?

Legal advice

Tenants back to facing eviction for non-payment of rent as shops reopen

Draft voluntary code due to be published this week makes no mention of extending eviction protection for small businesses unable to pay rent

Legal advice

Ethical veganism is a philosophical belief – the steps you should take next

A ruling says that ethical vegans should have similar legal protection to those with religious beliefs. What does it mean for your business?

Legal advice

GDPR and Brexit – 5 steps your small business can take

Small businesses may be overconfident they are Brexit ready when it comes to GDPR compliance, says Ian Osborne. He offers 5 tips to keep your SME within the law.

Legal advice