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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.

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.

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.

From pay, hours and time off to discipline, grievance and hiring and firing employees, find out about your legal responsibilities as an employer.

Marketing matters. Marketing drives sales for businesses of all sizes by ensuring that customers think of their brand when they want to buy.

Commercial disputes can prove time-consuming, stressful and expensive, but having robust legal agreements can help to prevent them from occurring.

Whether your business owns or rents premises, your legal liabilities can be substantial. Commercial property law is complex, but you can avoid common pitfalls.

With information and sound advice, living up to your legal responsibilities to safeguard your employees, customers and visitors need not be difficult or costly.

As information technology continues to evolve, legislation must also change. It affects everything from data protection and online selling to internet policies for employees.

Intellectual property (IP) isn't solely relevant to larger businesses or those involved in developing innovative new products: all products have IP.

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.

Dealing with an accident - checklist

There are a number of simple measures you can take to help minimise the chances of an accident happening - and the implications in the event that one does.

  • Be prepared. Do not assume accidents will not happen.
  • Carry out a risk assessment to identify the risks you face and to determine what first-aid provisions you will require.
  • Talk to your staff about safety issues. Their feedback will help make your workplace safer.
  • Consider whether your first-aid arrangements should cover anyone not employed by you: for example, members of the public on your premises.
  • Assess whether you are required to appoint a designated first aider - this is more likely if you use machinery or hazardous materials. If not, you will need to nominate an 'appointed person'. The appointed person's role is to ensure you have a suitably stocked first aid kit and to call the emergency services in the event of an accident, incident or illness.
  • Arrange suitable training for your designated first aider or appointed person and emergency cover in case your designated first-aider or appointed person is away. Appointed persons must not give any first-aid assistance for which they are not trained.
  • Provide basic first aid equipment in line with the law - such as sterile plasters and bandages. Use appropriate first-aid signage to indicate where the first-aid box is kept or where your first-aid room is.
  • Inform employees about your first aid arrangements. Display health and safety information, provide any necessary training and promote a better workplace by getting everyone involved.
  • Implement a written health and safety policy and record the findings of your risk assessment. By law, all employers with five or more employees must have a written policy but a written policy can help you manage your health and safety if you have fewer than five employees.
  • Act quickly in the event of an incident and make any dangerous conditions safe if there is an accident or someone is injured or falls ill at work.
  • Call the emergency services, if required. Treat minor injuries (if suitably trained) and wait for proper medical help.
  • Report any serious injuries, illnesses and incidents to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Incident Contact Centre in line with your obligations under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR).
  • Keep records of any serious injuries and incidents. This is a legal requirement and the information must include the time, date and brief description of what happened.
  • Stay up to date with legislation changes to remain compliant. Don't forget to review your health and safety policy if you adopt new work practices or take on new people.

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