Category

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.

Employing apprentices

I am about to employ two apprentices and was wondering if the minimum wage still applies and if there are any special laws or regulations I must follow?

Legal advice

Legal advice

Return of company property

An employee has left the business and refuses to return a company laptop. How can we recover it?

Legal advice

If we need to reduce employee hours do we need to change the contracts?

You cannot just change employees’ contracts irrespective of the change you wish to bring in or the reasons for it.

Legal advice

Rest period rights

I am unsure as to how much time off I should be giving my employees. What are their legal rights in terms of a weekly rest period?

Legal advice

Redundancy of TUPE Staff

I took on an employee under TUPE in April 08 but work has since dropped off. Can I legally make him redundant?

Legal advice

Interest on outstanding invoices

Question: My husband is a sole trader and subcontracts from a big company. We have outstanding invoices (some as old as over 300 days). Can we charge interest on them until they are paid?

Legal advice

Employers obligation to pay SSP to employee

I have a small shop and one of my staff is off work with a long term illness. He has indicated that he will not be returning to work. Am I still obliged to pay his statutory sick pay and is there any help for small business to cope with this cost?

Legal advice

Smoking at work

What rights do employees have with regard to smoking, and does the employer have a legal obligation to provide a smoking area off the premises?

Legal advice

Employers obligation to pay SSP to employee

I have a small shop and one of my staff is off work with a long term illness. He has indicated that he will not be returning to work. Am I still obliged to pay his statutory sick pay and is there any help for small business to cope with this cost?

Legal advice

Smoking at work

What rights do employees have with regard to smoking, and does the employer have a legal obligation to provide a smoking area off the premises?

Legal advice

Negotiation: turning up the heat

Chris Ingram started CIA in 1976 with 3 people and £10,000. It grew into Tempus Group and was sold for over £430 million. He talks to SmallBusiness.co.uk about negotiating.

Legal advice

How to negotiate

Running a successful company requires negotiating prowess. When it comes to getting the best deal for contracts, ensure you're not letting yourself down.

Legal advice

Grand designs: a quick guide to IP protection

The UK has come up with more than its fair share of iconic products. SmallBusiness.co.uk talks to an inventor about the sources of her inspiration, and how she has commercialised and protected her idea.

Legal advice

How to choose a small business solicitor

A solicitor can come in useful for many aspects of your business. But there are a range of different types of law and solicitors who specialise in certain areas, so finding the right one to meet your particular needs is important.

Business Technology

Why you should upgrade your tech now rather than later

To run an optimal business, you must have optimal tech. We explain why you must upgrade your business technology on a regular basis

Investing in a franchise

Should I buy a franchise or go solo?

Starting a new business is an exciting venture. But – especially in well-established industry sectors – a key question is whether it would be better to buy a franchise or go solo.

Partner content

16 ways to improve your business cash flow

Read here for 16 tried and tested tips and tricks to improve potential cash flow problems

Business management

How to create good cashflow habits

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