For Small Businesses
Legal essentials for running a small business: company formation, contracts, employment, consumer rights compliance and debt recovery.
Common Problems
Key Legal Topics
Company & Commercial Law
Company formation, directors' duties, insolvency, and partnership law.
Commercial Law
The legal framework governing commercial transactions — the sale of goods, agency relationships, exclusion clauses, and international trade.
Consumer Protection Law
Consumer rights, product safety, unfair trading, and CMA enforcement.
Tax Law
Income tax, VAT, capital gains, corporation tax, HMRC powers, and the distinction between tax avoidance and evasion.
Employment Law
Rights and obligations of employers and employees, including dismissal, discrimination, pay, and TUPE.
Contract Law
Formation, terms, breach, and remedies in agreements enforceable by law.
Intellectual Property Law
Patents, trademarks, copyright, design rights, passing off, and IP enforcement.
Useful Guides
Starting a Business (Company Formation)
How to incorporate a limited company in England & Wales, including legal requirements and ongoing obligations.
Registering a UK Trademark
How to register and protect a trademark in the UK, including searches, classification, and enforcement.
Dealing with Debt (County Court Judgments)
What happens when a creditor takes you to court for debt, and your options for dealing with a CCJ.
Renewing a Commercial Lease
How to renew a business lease under Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.
Setting Up a UK Company
How to incorporate a limited company in England & Wales, including registration, directors' duties, and ongoing obligations.
Starting Arbitration or Mediation
How to resolve a dispute through arbitration or mediation instead of going to court. Explains the difference between a binding arbitration award, governed by the Arbitration Act 1996 as amended by the Arbitration Act 2025, and a mediated settlement that only binds the parties once they sign an agreement.
Whistleblowing at Work
How to make a protected disclosure about wrongdoing at work and your legal protections.
Letter Templates
Letter Before Action — Debt Recovery
Pre-action letter formally demanding payment of a debt within 14 days, complying with the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims.
Cease and Desist Letter — Harassment
Formal warning to a person whose conduct may constitute harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
Without Prejudice Settlement Offer (Employment)
Without prejudice letter offering to settle an employment dispute on agreed financial and non-financial terms, protected under section 111A of the Employment Rights Act 1996.
Legal Tools & Calculators
Court Fee Calculator
Instantly calculate the civil court issue fee for money claims in England & Wales based on the current fee scale, plus hearing fees and remission information.
Small Claims Track Checker
Find out which court track your civil claim is likely to be allocated to — small claims, fast track, or multi-track — based on your claim type and value.
Limitation Period Calculator
Calculate the deadline for bringing a civil claim in England & Wales. Covers personal injury, contract, negligence, judicial review, defamation, land, and more.
Notice Period Calculator
Find out the statutory minimum notice period you are entitled to under the Employment Rights Act 1996, and compare it against any contractual notice period.
Common Scenarios
What Happens If You Ignore a County Court Judgment?
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) that is ignored will affect your credit rating and can be enforced through several increasingly serious methods.
What Happens If Bailiffs Come to Your Home?
Bailiffs (civil enforcement agents) can attend your home to collect debts or enforce court orders. You have important rights about what they can and cannot do.
What Happens If You Win a Small Claim but the Defendant Doesn't Pay?
Winning a small claims judgment is only the first step. If the defendant doesn't pay, you need to enforce the judgment — a separate legal process with several options.
Frequently asked questions
- When should a small business get legal advice?
- Small businesses should seek legal advice when entering significant commercial contracts, facing disputes, or dealing with debt claims. If you receive a statutory demand or court claim, you must act immediately because strict deadlines apply. For employment matters involving dismissal or discrimination, early specialist advice can help prevent costly tribunal claims later.
- What are the main legal areas a small business needs to know about?
- The legal essentials for running a small business in England and Wales include company formation, contracts, employment law, consumer rights compliance, and debt recovery. These areas cover the core legal requirements necessary to operate a business effectively and manage common legal risks associated with commercial activities.
- Do solicitors offer fixed fees for small business legal work?
- Many solicitors offer fixed-fee business packages designed for common legal tasks. This can be a useful option for small businesses looking to manage costs while obtaining professional legal support for routine matters such as contract drafting or basic compliance issues.
- What should I do if I receive a statutory demand or court claim?
- The content indicates that small businesses should act immediately if they receive a statutory demand or court claim, as strict deadlines apply. While specific time limits are not detailed in this text, the urgency is emphasized to ensure the business meets all necessary legal requirements without delay.
- Why is early advice important for employment issues like dismissal?
- Early specialist advice is recommended for employment matters involving dismissal or discrimination. Taking this step early can help prevent costly tribunal claims later, allowing the business to address potential legal issues before they escalate into formal disputes.
When to Get Legal Advice
Small businesses should take legal advice when entering significant commercial contracts, disputes, or when facing debt claims. If you receive a statutory demand or court claim, act immediately as strict deadlines apply. For employment matters involving dismissal or discrimination, specialist advice early on can prevent costly tribunal claims later. Many solicitors offer fixed-fee business packages for common legal tasks.