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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.

Brits urged to "shop local" to support SMEs

11 August 2020

The Government has launched a Shop Local campaign to help support independent shops on UK high streets.

Shoppers across the UK are being urged to do their bit and take part in Shop Local Week (10-16 August) to help local businesses rebuild after the coronavirus lockdown.

The campaign is part of the Government's Enjoy Summer Safely campaign, encouraging people to "get back to the way of life they have missed", while following safety guidelines. Shop Local Week resources, including digital assets for businesses, consumers and organisations, are being distributed to small businesses.

The Government says the initiative will deliver a number of key benefits:

  • Shopping at local businesses pumps money into the local economy;
  • Supporting local high streets creates jobs in local communities;
  • Independent retailers often provide good deals that can't be found in major outlets so that people can save money as they spend. The Eat Out to Help Out discount scheme is saving diners up to £10 per head on eat-in meals on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in 73,000 participating businesses during August;
  • Local businesses generate revenue to support council services such as libraries, parks and roads that benefit communities;
  • Small and local businesses often stock items which are made locally and aren't available elsewhere else;
  • Local shops often source their goods locally, helping to reduce their carbon footprint;
  • When shopping local, people are also more likely to walk or cycle to get there – doing their bit to reduce air pollution and reduce traffic.

Business secretary Alok Sharma said: "Business owners have done an incredible job so far to welcome shoppers back safely, and I hope people across the country will do their bit this week to help our high streets bounce back to protect jobs and support local communities."

Michelle Ovens, director of Small Business Saturday UK and founder of Small Business Britain said: "Small businesses are the beating heart of communities and town centres up and down the country, and they will be at the centre of the recovery. These small firms – from the local greengrocer to the neighbourhood gift shop - were there for the nation during lockdown and now they need our support to get back on their feet."

She added: "Small businesses are facing a really tough time, but they are also at the forefront of responding to this challenge and evolving these much-loved centres into places that enrich communities and add value to people's lives. Now is the time to show your local area some love."

Commenting on the scheme, Mike Cherry, national chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: "It's vital, now more than ever, that we do what we can to support our local small businesses. The past few months have been among the most difficult that businesses have ever had and as we slowly reopen, the public can help by supporting their local businesses."

Written by Rachel Miller.

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