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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.

Registration opens for UK’s foremost event for UK scale ups

27 May 2025

The UK’s SME XPO is back for 2025, a dynamic two-day event dedicated to powering scale-up business success. Focused on scale-up leaders and founders, this year’s show promises a transformative experience for entrepreneurs and innovators

Now entering its fourth year, the exhibition brings together a diverse range of businesses, investor community including early stage/ angel investors and VCs,as well as resources to foster growth, innovation, and collaboration. The event is scheduled for June 18-19, returning to ExCeL in London. Registration is now open, offering FREE access. Register for free tickets at: SME XPO 2025 Registration

With over 5,000 scale-up founders and owners and more than 100 best-in-class suppliers, SME XPO 2025 provides a unique space for scale-up businesses to showcase their products and services, connect with potential clients and investors as well as alternative finance options, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders in curated workshops and networking sessions.

Agenda highlights:

Packed with insightful sessions, catering to diverse SME interests, there's something for everyone. With four key themes – Starting Out, Scaling Up, Money Talks and Future Tech & AI, attendees can expect valuable insights and practical strategies in over 50 workshops and talks. Topics range from ‘The secrets to fast growth.. and the pitfalls’, through to ‘AI’, ‘ransomware’, and ‘Launching into new territories across the world’, featuring real-life experiences from leading entrepreneurs.

SME XPO will feature over 60 esteemed speakers. The lineup features keynote speakers Piers Linney, former investor on Dragon’s Den and Theo Paphitis, entrepreneurial tycoon, as well as Dr Alka Patel, esteemed longevity and wellbeing Expert and Jack Smith, CEO of Love Finance.

Explore the growing list by downloading the full agenda at: SME_XPO_AGENDA_2025.pdf

Investors and networking:

With the growth in business financing opportunities opening up across the UK, a key focus of the event this year is to provide attendees and exhibitors with access and education to the UK's top investors. The new Finance Networking Hub is being sponsored by Metro Bank, and Gold Pass holders will have access to ‘invite only’ investor roundtables. Organisations supporting SME XPO include EISA, the official trade body for the Enterprise Investment Scheme, VenturePath, the scale-up investment partners, and the ScaleUp Institute, the leading voice for the scale-up community.

Featured exhibitors:

Alongside enlightening sessions and inspiring speakers, SME XPO will showcase a diverse array of exhibitors, offering attendees the chance to explore innovative Products and services. Notable exhibitors include Worldpay, Towergate, Octopus Energy & Guavapay.

Sponsors:

This year’s key sponsors include Metro Bank, BT, Axa and Love Finance as well as Dell, returning for the 3rd time this year.

“SME XPO is stronger than ever this year, we are very proud of how we have been able to bring together the very best in UK business expertise, investors, speakers and exhibitors to support the invaluable UK scale-up community.

“Today, more than ever, the UK economy needs to step up a gear, and this is the core community that can help with this.” Sam North, founder of SME XPO

SME XPO 2025 promises to be a transformative event for the scale-up community, providing them with the tools, knowledge, and connections necessary to scale and succeed in today's competitive business environment.

For more information and to register for free, head to the SME XPO website.

Press release from the SME Expo.

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