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.

GDPR three years on: make sure your small business is compliant

Many small businesses think if they just ignore the EU’s GDPR regulations, they will just go away. Lawyer Chris Cook warns SMEs they face crippling fines if they do nothing

Legal advice

Legal advice

How to avoid unfair dismissal claims

Simon Robinson, managing partner of RobinsonRalph, gives an overview of the basics to help you avoid paying any unnecessary compensation and explains the basis for claims of unfair dismissal.

Legal advice

Sick leave – Making changes to company sickness policy

Is it possible to make changes to our company sickness policy? Peter Done of HR consultancy Peninsula answers the question

Legal advice

Can I dismiss an employee for sending threatening text?

Two members of staff had an argument. One left the premises and I asked her not to return. She sent me a text threatening me with 'people to sort me out'. Can I dismiss her?

Legal advice

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

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

Business Technology

Future-proof your business communications set-up

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

A guide to getting a small business loan

Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.

Business Technology

Friendly guide – top tips for small businesses switching to VoIP

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

Avoid delays with exports and imports

Many factors can affect products’ journeys from A to B. Here are some tips for best practice for successful shipping in the modern world