Skip to main content
We’re here with practical legal information for your business. Learn about employment law, company law and more.

Search

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.

Small business ambition returns after tough times

20 August 2024

Small business growth plans could boost the UK economy by more than £40bn, according to new research.

The latest Enterprise Nation Small Business Barometer has found that a fifth of UK small businesses (20%) say they are expecting to reboot growth plans, up seven percentage points compared to 12 months ago. The survey of businesses also found that, of those with growth plans, 34% expect to grow by around a quarter, which could deliver a boost of more than £40bn to the UK economy.

"It's refreshing to see confidence return after the recessionary pressures of 12 months ago, followed by the unavoidable political turbulence caused by the general election. Entrepreneurs are often at their strongest in the face of adversity, so after putting growth plans on hold during an extremely difficult set of challenges, they can finally see the light at the end of a very long tunnel." Emma Jones, founder and ceo of Enterprise Nation.

The key findings of the Enterprise Nation research show that:

  • 20% of businesses polled say it's "very likely" they will grow in the next 12 months, up from 14% this time last year.
  • 45% of businesses are looking for investment to fuel their growth plans.
  • 44% describe their business as "digital", up by one percentage point on last year.
  • Only 16% currently export but another 26% would like to.

Business challenges remain

Despite the new confidence, business owners face a number of ongoing difficulties. They say that persistent cost pressures on consumer pockets is the biggest challenge moving forward (42%) as well as late payments, with 23% saying they are still often paid late for their goods and services. Half of those polled have found business support online but 34% can't find business support that works for them.

Overall, 44% of businesses describe themselves as digital; however, there is a stark disparity between businesses run by women - with only 37% describing themselves as digital - versus male-founded businesses (52%).

The analysis also finds that 20% of entrepreneurs are still frustrated at the lack of access to commercial space, be that business units, co-working spaces or high street pop-ups. The problem is felt most keenly in Scotland (29%) followed by the North West (25%) and the West Midlands (23%). This figure has remained a persistent problem for two years with no movement, according to the analysis.

Looking ahead to the Autumn Budget, the majority of business owners (60%) say that the current tax burden on small businesses is already too high, suggesting that any future tax hikes could have a negative impact on confidence as well as profits.

Written by Rachel Miller.

Stay up-to-date with business advice and news

Sign up to this lively and colourful newsletter for new and more established small businesses.

Contact us

Make an enquiry