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.

What you need to know when recruiting for the first time

Here, Ruth Hayward looks at the business and legal considerations small businesses should make when recruiting their first member of staff.

Legal advice

Legal advice

How to deal with threatening job applications

In these days of increased litigation, how can employers protect themselves while ensuring they offer equal opportunities to all job applicants?

Legal advice

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

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

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

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.

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