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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.

Freelancers face debt crisis warns IPSE

5 October 2021

New research has highlighted the plight of freelance workers that did not qualify for government support during the pandemic.

The latest survey by the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) has found that many freelancers had to use savings, overdrafts and credit card debt just to get by during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The findings suggest that there is a "debt crisis" among freelancers who were excluded from support. The poll results show that two out of three freelancers' businesses (67%) were negatively affected by the pandemic and that 47% saw a decrease of over 40% in turnover.

As a result, many freelancers had to dip into savings or even borrow money to make ends meet:

  • 27% of freelancers used up all their savings during the pandemic;
  • 23% of freelancers took on credit card debt to get by;
  • 14% used their overdrafts.

Andy Chamberlain, director of policy at IPSE, said: "While the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme has been a vital lifeline for many self-employed people, it cannot be ignored that many others were unable to access it. There were approximately 1.5 million newly self-employed people, limited company directors and others who were excluded.

"These excluded groups have now been driven into a debt crisis and we urge government to look at the situation and consider debt relief measures to get these freelancers back on their feet … the financial consequences of the pandemic - and of the exclusion of so many freelancers from support - will be felt for years to come."

He added: "We also urge government to plan now for better support if there are renewed restrictions this winter. The exclusion debacle was a disaster for millions of freelancers and others across the country: this must not happen again."

Written by Rachel Miller.

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