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Setting up a business involves complying with a range of legal requirements. Find out which ones apply to you and your new enterprise.

Every business needs to be aware of its obligations under minimum wage and equal pay laws, as well as recent pensions auto-enrolment changes.

What particular regulations do specific types of business (such as a hotel, or a printer, or a taxi firm) need to follow? We explain some of the key legal issues to consider for 200 types of business.

While poor governance can bring serious legal consequences, the law can also protect business owners and managers and help to prevent conflict.

You must comply with legal restrictions on employees' working hours and time off, or risk claims, enforcement action and even prosecution.

The right employment policies are an essential part of effective staff management. Make sure any policy is clear and well communicated to employees.

Whether you want to raise finance, join forces with someone else, buy or sell a business, it pays to be aware of the legal implications.

While sick employees need to be treated fairly, you need to ensure that 'sickness' is not being used as cover for unauthorised absence.

Marketing matters. Marketing drives sales for businesses of all sizes by ensuring that customers think of their brand when they want to buy.

Most pregnant employees are entitled to maternity leave and maternity pay, while new fathers are entitled to paternity leave and paternity pay.

Commercial disputes can prove time-consuming, stressful and expensive, but having robust legal agreements can help to prevent them from occurring.

As well as undermining morale, illegal discrimination can lead to workplace grievances. Employee discrimination is covered by the Equality Act 2010.

Whether your business owns or rents premises, your legal liabilities can be substantial. Commercial property law is complex, but you can avoid common pitfalls.

Home, remote and lone workers are becoming increasingly commonplace. Key issues include communication and how to manage and motivate people remotely.

With information and sound advice, living up to your legal responsibilities to safeguard your employees, customers and visitors need not be difficult or costly.

The right approach to consulting with and providing information to your employees can improve employee motivation and performance.

As information technology continues to evolve, legislation must also change. It affects everything from data protection and online selling to internet policies for employees.

Disciplinary and grievance issues can be a major burden to employers. Putting in place and following the right procedures is essential.

Following the right dismissal and redundancy procedures helps protect your business and minimise the risk of a legal dispute at tribunal.

Intellectual property (IP) isn't solely relevant to larger businesses or those involved in developing innovative new products: all products have IP.

Employment tribunal claims are a worrying prospect for any employer. A tribunal case is a no-win situation – even if the claim is unjustified.

Knowing how and when you plan to sell or relinquish control of your business can help you to make better decisions and achieve the best possible outcome.

From bereavement, wills, inheritance, separation and divorce to selling a house, personal injury and traffic offences, learn more about your personal legal rights.

News

April 2015

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The Forum of Private Business is calling on the next Government to protect the interests of small businesses as it launches its own Manifesto for Small Business.

Over half a million over-55s might take advantage of new pension freedoms to start a new business.

SMEs are failing to take professional advice when setting up their business, leaving them vulnerable to costly mistakes.

Businesses based in England want more decisions to be taken in town halls rather than from Whitehall, according to a new survey.

Our round-up of other small business stories making the headlines this week...

The hiring intentions of UK firms are at “sky-high” levels with figures stronger even than those during the boom of the mid-2000s, according to the latest Business Trends Report by accountants BDO.

Freelancers’ confidence in business and the economy has been restored after dips in the previous quarter, according to new research.

With business cash on deposit up by 6%, many businesses are missing out on potential interest with 31% of business deposit accounts paying just 0.1% or less on balances of £10,000.

Google has been advising websites to prepare for mobile users for years. Websites that have ignored those warnings will start to feel the consequences now. Starting on 21 April, sites that are not mobile-friendly will see a fall in their mobile traffic, writes Rory MccGwire.

Our round-up of other small business stories making the headlines this week...

Amid continuing economic uncertainty, businesses are sitting on cash surpluses and are unlikely to invest in infrastructure until they feel more secure.

Government support for UK exporters needs to go further in order to tackle Britain’s trade deficit, according to the Cole Commission on exporting.