Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
The small business legal advice section provides in-depth guides and features on tax, company and employment law for UK SMEs and sole traders.
I have a new starter who worked with us for a week before leaving to take another job. During this week he was in full time on-the-job training. Do we have to pay him? Can we just pay him minimum wage if so?
Legal advice
Legal advice
Victoria Clark, associate in employment law at Clarion Solicitors, explains why it is sometimes difficult to follow a fair procedure when assessing candidates for redundancy.
Legal advice
Ever wondered if it's worth protecting your product against copycats? Dr Stephen Blance, senior attorney at Avidity IP, discusses why it should be done.
Legal advice
Q: An employee has been signed off sick but has been caught working for one of our customers. We carried out a stock check and found equipment and chemicals are missing. He has resigned from his position but what do we do about the theft of the items?
Legal advice
One of my employees is doing freelance work on my time. How best to address it and what legally can I do?
Legal advice
I have a 12-month contract with the UK branch of a multinational to fulfil certain tasks at intervals throughout the year for a fixed annual fee, to be paid in twelve equal monthly payments. The company announced closure of the UK operation. What are my contract rights?
Legal advice
Richard Beavan of Boodle Hatfield provides guidance on how to benefit from the new HMRC Patent Box Relief.
Legal advice
We run a small coffee shop. We had mechanical failure at work. We were unable to open so had no income. Our Saturday assistant demanded paying for the day or she would take us to court. What can I do?
Legal advice
Richard Beavan of Boodle Hatfield provides guidance on how to benefit from the new HMRC Patent Box Relief.
Legal advice
We run a small coffee shop. We had mechanical failure at work. We were unable to open so had no income. Our Saturday assistant demanded paying for the day or she would take us to court. What can I do?
Legal advice
I have to close my shop due to year-on-year losses. Can I make my current staff member redundant and employ my son on short-term contract on a much-reduced wage to help me close down the shop?
Legal advice
Stephen Newman, managing partner of Baxter Caulfield Solicitors, gives advice on how small businesses should take on a solicitor.
Legal advice
Another company has started up using our name. We are an online shop and have been in business since 2003. We let a domain name slide, a company has bought it, and is selling similar products under the same name. We have had three calls from their unhappy customers thinking it was us. Please help!
Legal advice
I have developed and researched a new idea that I think has the potential to be commercially successful. How do I protect my idea?
Business Loans
Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.
Partner content
Hospitality businesses have faced a number of challenges in the last couple of years. Find out what funding and support is available.
Employing & managing staff
In Aviva’s latest SME research*, 57 per cent of employers surveyed agreed that nowadays employees expect benefits to protect against loss of income or earnings. What do you offer your people?
Partner content
Business broadband offers a host of advantages over standard domestic connections, here’s why you should be considering an upgrade