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.

The implications of drink driving and needing a licence for work 

Here, we give advice on the course of action to take if you get caught drink driving.

Legal advice

Legal advice

Do not get caught out by changes to European trademark protection

Brand owners have been advised that recent changes to EU trademark legislation could leave some trademarks with a reduced scope of protection.

Legal advice

The top global destinations for protecting your IP

Justin Simpson discusses the world's most popular international filing destinations and how best UK small businesses can maximise IP protection in these countries from the outset.

Legal advice

How small businesses should navigate the new PSC legislation 

New government legislation on PSC registers could leave business owners facing criminal charges if they don't comply, warns Henry Catchpole.

Legal advice

How can employers encourage fathers to take shared parental leave?

What is stopping men from using their extra entitlement to time off when a child is born or adopted? Alan Price investigates the issue.

Legal advice

The Trunki patent case and small business IP

Rob Law's Trunki suitcase was a hit – but then another product came along that he felt looked awfully similar. Here, we look at why the rival was deemed not to have copied Law's design and what company owners should do to protect their ideas.

Legal advice

Workplace Investigations – who should conduct them and what is the correct process?

Here, Alan Price discusses what to do to make an informed and impartial decision in the face of disciplinary matters.

Legal advice

Registering as a company limited by guarantee 

A company limited by guarantee does not have a share capital or shareholders, but instead has members who act as guarantors. Here, Henry Catchpole explains the concept.

Legal advice

Workplace Investigations – who should conduct them and what is the correct process?

Here, Alan Price discusses what to do to make an informed and impartial decision in the face of disciplinary matters.

Legal advice

Registering as a company limited by guarantee 

A company limited by guarantee does not have a share capital or shareholders, but instead has members who act as guarantors. Here, Henry Catchpole explains the concept.

Legal advice

Employment law: A quick guide for small business owners

Here, we look at the key employment law considerations for those taking on staff for the first time.

Legal advice

How to contend with intellectual property infringements as a small company

Here, in an article in association with the Federation of Small Businesses, we speak to law professionals about what to do in the event of IP infringements.

Legal advice

Employment rights for same-sex couples in a civil partnership

Alan Price examines the legal considerations employers need to be aware of in regard to the rights of same-sex couples.

Legal advice

Why the right business structure is so important

Many start-ups choose to become sole traders or partnerships simply because they are afraid of the paperwork. Here, Henry Catchpole explains why creating the correct business structure offers important legal and tax advantages.

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.

Partner content

Small business owners: discover alternative funding solutions to help fuel your growth

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.