How to work with a lawyer

Solicitors have a reputation for being expensive, yet their services are indispensable for certain specialised services. If you are starting a business, you need legal advice about the best way to set up to avoid problems later on. You also need regular legal advice with routine things, like contracts of employment, advice before firing someone, and property leases. How to find a good and affordable one.

Data protection and the Internet

The Internet is a potential goldmine of global information for anyone involved in marketing. But before you tap into its resources, you need to know the rules. Break these and you may be taken to court and fined up to £5,000 by the Information Commissioner.

Protecting your name and trademarks

Today, branding is everything. Trademarks can be worth millions, so it pays to protect them. But what are they and how do you protect them? An overview in layman's terms of what a trademark is and whether you need to register it at all, restrictions on trademarks, community marks, what to do if your trademark is refused, using and protecting your trademark, plus the use of trademarks on the Internet.

Common but entirely avoidable legal pitfalls in business

We all make mistakes but sometimes the law is not very forgiving - ignorance of it has never been a defence. An overview of nine common pitfalls to watch out for.

A lay person's guide to contracts

Contracts are the building blocks of business and govern almost every commercial relationship. Yet it is not always obvious when one has been made. The eight most common pitfalls to avoid and ten tips to help you stay in control. This guide is related to UK businesses only.

Data protection and business

To operate effectively, businesses rely on data about many individuals, whether employee records, or customer or supplier details. If you hold data about living, identifiable individuals, you may have to notify the Information Commissioner. We shed some light on this complex issue. We also look at how some marketing calls could result in some hefty fines. This feature is related to UK businesses only.

Handling stress at work - the legal side

Stress can affect more than the sufferer since over-stressed workers usually perform poorly. Managers then tend to focus solely on the poor or unsatisfactory performance.But employers can end up in legal hot water if they ignore the effects of stress on their employees. How to prevent claims and improve efficiency.

When is a price set firm?

One of the keys to a contract is the offer and its acceptance. But it is not always clear when a contract has been formed. We look at consumer, non consumer and international transactions. We also look at pricing and in what circumstances you will be held to your prices.

When a contract turns sour

What happens when a business relationship starts to go wrong? Here is some insight into what you can do to recover the situation.

Are you complying with the Data Protection Act?

The rules apply to everyone. What's more the EU is cracking down, even on individuals keeping parish records!! So what's involved? What the implications are for your business and what you MUST do. Includes an action checklist.

How well is your name protected?

Think your business name is safe? Think again! You'll spend money on creating a brand identity, advertising and marketing, packaging, letterheads, and so on, without even checking if the name or logo is available for use - or taking steps to ensure no-one else can hijack the brand and undermine your investment at a later date.

Don't just shake on it!

It's so easy to say 'Let's shake on it' - but you could be entering dangerous territory. Here's why it's best to get contracts put in writing.

Don't give away your ideas

If you have put your life savings into a great new product or design, then you need to protect it from unscrupulous cowboys. Find out the issues involved in protecting both invention and designs.

Protect your work from theft

Intellectual property matters. Dan Brown went to court over The Da Vinci Code and Apple had a tussle with the former Beatles' record label of the same name. If you've got a great new product, or a brilliant business name or logo, then the first thing you should do is protect it. Discover how to make sure no one steals your hard work. A beginner's guide.