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.
Normally, when an individual draws up a will, it will include one or more named executors. When the individual dies, the executor(s) of the will become responsible for estate administration.
The executors' tasks include collecting up all the money, property, possessions and other assets, paying off any debts and inheritance tax, and distributing the estate to the beneficiaries.
If the executors are unwilling or unable to act, if the will does not name any executors, or if there is no will at all, then an administrator takes responsibility for the estate.
If a friend or family member would like you to be executor of the will when they die, they will probably ask you. Think carefully about whether you want this responsibility.
Being executor of the will can be complicated and time-consuming at a time when you may well be upset by the loss of a friend or family member.
Although you can later renounce being an executor of the will, it's preferable to let the testator (the person making the will) know so they can choose an alternative.
On the plus side, being an executor of the will allows you to make sure your friend or relative's wishes are respected. You will also be able to look after the interests of the beneficiaries. Often, one or more beneficiaries will be asked to be executor of the will.
If the will does not name any executors, the beneficiaries have the right to apply to act as administrator. If there is no will at all, then the closest relatives - who will inherit under the rules of intestacy - can apply to take on the role of estate administration.
Estate administration involves identifying the deceased's assets and debts, paying off creditors, and then distributing what's left.
If you are named as executor of the will, you automatically become responsible for estate administration when the testator dies.
However, you normally need to apply for a grant of probate before you can get the official authority to deal with the assets. As part of this, you work out the value of the estate and complete inheritance tax forms for HM Revenue & Customs. As of 26 January 2022, the fee for obtaining a grant of probate is £273 for all applications.
If inheritance tax is payable, you'll need to pay some or all of the tax due.
Estate administration can be complex, particularly if the estate is large or complicated or if there is likely to be any kind of a dispute.
As executor of the will, you have significant financial and legal responsibilities. You also have potential liabilities. For example, if you start paying out inheritances before repaying debts you might be held personally responsible.
If in any doubt, consider appointing a professional to help with estate administration.
Reviewed by Nigel Merchant, Technical manager, Kings Court Trust