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 am currently employed part time with a baby due in November. I intended to take maternity leave; however, my husband and I are starting a business. Can I work on it at all while claiming maternity benefit? (I won't be working as much as I intend to after maternity).
Legal advice
Legal advice
I have an employee who is about to have an operation and needs six weeks off to recover. They want to do some work at home after three weeks.
Legal advice
I run a start-up business and want to offer 5-10 per cent equity to two members of staff, without requiring investment from them. How can I make this an exciting offer but what protection do I need?
Legal advice
I run a small office of 12 people and wish to reduce hours and pay. There's no allowance for this within the contract. How much notice should be given to employees? Do contracts need to be revised or is an addendum to the contract enough?
Legal advice
New legislation means that companies could be fined up to £500,000 for breaching the Data Protection Act. Read our guide on how to stay on the right side of the law.
Legal advice
What's the procedure for dismissal if an employee has been with the company for less than a year?
Legal advice
Here we look at the best ways to improve the terms of existing contracts without damaging your business relationships.
Legal advice
What's the procedure for dismissal if an employee has been with the company for less than a year?
Legal advice
Here we look at the best ways to improve the terms of existing contracts without damaging your business relationships.
Legal advice
If you have a claim to make against another business or sole-trader, you may need to go through the small claims process. SmallBusiness.co.uk tells you how to start the process.
Legal advice
As new legislation this month will increase the penalties for breaches of health and safety regulations, a risk assessment health check could prevent your small business getting seriously injured.
Legal advice
It's a grim fact that up to 80 per cent of new businesses launched each year fail, most within the first five years of operation. Once cash flow has dried up and creditors start knocking on the door, the most likely action taken by UK entrepreneurs is to declare bankruptcy.
Legal advice
What are the legal considerations in buying a business and making a member of staff redundant who has been there for 14 years?
Business Technology
Landlines as we know them will be scrapped in 2027 – along with a raft of upcoming business changes. Here's how to ensure your communications set-up is fit for whatever the future brings
Business Loans
Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.
Business Technology
With the landline shutdown coming fast, there’s never been a better time to switch to VoIP. Don’t let your small business be left behind!
Export & Import
Many factors can affect products’ journeys from A to B. Here are some tips for best practice for successful shipping in the modern world