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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.

Eat Out to Help Out scheme opens for registrations

14 July 2020

Restaurants, cafes and bars can now sign up to the new government initiative aimed at encouraging people to safely return to eating out.

The Eat Out to Help Out scheme offers a 50% reduction, up to a maximum of £10 per person, to all diners who eat in a restaurant or other eligible food establishment throughout August. The discount applies all day, every Monday to Wednesday, between 3 and 31 August 2020. Customers do not need a voucher as participating establishments will automatically apply the discount to their bill.

Businesses can then reclaim the discounted amount through an online service, supported by HMRC. Claims can be made on a weekly basis and will be paid into bank accounts within five working days.

The Eat Out to Help Out registration service went live on 13 July on the government website, allowing businesses to join the scheme announced by chancellor Rishi Sunak in his summer statement. Businesses that register will receive a window sticker to show they are using the scheme and can download other promotional materials from the government website.

Jim Harra, chief executive and first permanent secretary of HMRC, said: "The hospitality industry is among the sectors worst affected by COVID-19. The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme will deliver support to more than 100,000 businesses, including restaurants, cafes and bars serving food and drink, helping to protect 1.8 million jobs across the UK."

Chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak said: "HMRC's quick and easy registration page will soon have you on your way to welcoming back your customers with discounted dining on every Monday to Wednesday throughout August, with a simple process to reclaim these discounts back from the government each week."

The scheme can be used by diners who order food and/or drinks for consumption on the premises. Alcohol is excluded from the offer. A searchable restaurant finder tool will be available to the public before the scheme launches on 3 August.

Written by Rachel Miller.

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