Small Business Legal Issues

Advice and guides to help you overcome common legal problems faced by many small business owners and directors.

Accounting

Inter-company loans: are there tax implications to consider?

Readers ask if there are interest charges and tax implications to think about when it comes to inter-company loans.

Business Ideas & Planning

Should I go sole trader, partnership or limited company?

We explore different types of company formation – sole trader, partnership, limited liability partnership and limited company

Partner content

Business Companion: a reliable voice in the misinformation age

Business Companion is a one-stop-shop for accurate and up-to-date legal guidance, whatever sector you’re in — and it’s all completely free

News

Introducing our Business Essentials service

Our new Business Essentials membership service offers all the tools and support you will need to help run your business

Setting up a company

8 legal considerations when setting up a business

One of your first legal steps will be to register your business and choose your structure

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

Employing & managing staff

Do I need to pay employee for travelling time?

One of my employees, who travels 50 miles each way to work, is arguing that he should get paid for travelling time. How should I proceed?

Business management

Getting ready for Brexit – 6 steps you need to take to prepare

What should your small business be doing now to get ready for Brexit? Sarah Gunton offers advice on how firms can best prepare between now and January 1

Getting Online

Pivoting to an online business – 8 legal mistakes to avoid

Many small businesses are launching websites to keep sales going during the coronavirus pandemic. Lawyer Marion Kennedy highlights 8 legal mistakes to avoid when pivoting to an online business

Advice

Does my small business require a licence?

Licences are one of the first things you should research when you're starting your small business. Here's what you need to know

Legal advice

T&Cs for your small business – how to make sure they’re done properly

Making T&Cs prominently available and easily understood is important if you want to avoid costly legal action, says Amanda Hamilton

Business Technology

Drone laws UK: how do they affect small businesses?

A raft of drone laws were introduced earlier in the year restricting where and how high drones can fly. We explore what these new regulations mean for small businesses.

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.