Small Business Legal Issues

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

Employing & managing staff

Important employment rights checklist for employers

As an employer, it’s important that you keep track of your employees’ employment rights, so you don’t find yourself on the wrong side of the law.

Legal advice

How to get a sponsor licence in the UK

Baya Immigration lay out what a sponsor licence is, which businesses need it and how you go about applying for one.

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

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

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