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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.

"Jam-packed" Queen's speech focuses on economy

29 May 2015

"Jam-packed" Queen's speech focuses on economyBusiness leaders have responded favourably to the Queen's Speech this week but they are calling for more clarity from Government on initiatives to tackle red tape and late payment.

The 26-bill package of legislative proposals included the EU referendum as well as tax freezes on VAT, income tax and national insurance for five years, the promise of three million more apprenticeships and plans to cut more red tape.

The tax freezes were welcomed by Simon Walker, director general of the Institute of Directors (IoD), but he warned: "While IoD members are opposed to increases in the rates of VAT, income tax and national insurance, we consider it imperative that the Government’s commitments do not prevent bold tax reforms to both simplify taxation and reduce the burden upon businesses and individuals."

Katja Hall, deputy director-general of the CBI, said the speech was: "jam-packed", with "a strong focus on stepping up a gear on the economic recovery - locking in growth, creating jobs and boosting investment right across the country."

Hall applauded measures to devolve more powers to cities and regions. "The devolution of key powers could accelerate growth across the country," she said. "Where there is an economic case for further devolution, business will support it."

Hall also said that she wanted to see "more details on how the Small Business Conciliation Service will work in practice. We believe customers and suppliers should deal directly to reach agreement wherever possible."

However, some business leaders expressed doubts about the Government's ability to deliver more red tape cuts. Darren Fell, ceo of Crunch Accounting, said: "We really hope that their pledge to relax business regulations is more successful than their previous attempt."

The IoD’s Simon Walker, said: "Good intentions are nothing without delivery, and companies will be looking to the Business Secretary to spell out exactly where he will find £10bn worth of cuts to regulation."

John Longworth, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: "As much of the most costly regulatory burdens are created by the EU, cutting red tape will be a challenge."

Longworth described the Queen’s Speech as "a positive start" but he said: "If the last Parliament was defined by austerity, this one should be defined by growth. And the Government needs a confident, unapologetic programme to deliver that sustained growth."

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