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Overview of environmental, health and safety requirements

Employers must ensure they comply with a wide variety of requirements on health and safety and the environment. Many of these are specifically set out in law, while others are part of a... more

Crown Prosecution Service

Once the police have arrested a suspect and gathered evidence on a crime, the case is then handed over to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS - www.cps.gov.uk) so that a prosecution can be... more

I want to trade internationally

Steps to follow Where do you want to trade? Is it within the EU or outside? You will need to do thorough research to ensure you are complying with all relevant laws and... more

Overview of insurance for business

There are numerous types of insurance cover available for businesses. Some must be taken out by law, others aren’t mandatory but are highly advisable for all businesses, while still... more

International trade

Sales and distribution overseas   If you want to sell your wares overseas, you need to decide how you’re going to distribute them. You might opt to sell them directly, e.g.,... more

Invasion of privacy

Personal information is freely given in everyday transactions, from paying for goods at a supermarket to filling in health insurance forms. Consequently, there is a vast amount of... more

I want to buy or sell a property

Steps to follow Seller issues the contract package which consists of a draft contract, Official Copies of the legal title, copies of any deed/documents which affect the title, a Sellers... more

Choices if you cannot afford a lawyer

Lawyers don’t come cheap, and sometimes the people who need them most can’t afford to pay. If you are unable to pay a lawyer, then there are several options available to... more

I want to start a company

Steps to follow Start small, think big. Keep your expenses as low as possible, but leave yourself scope to expand. On the other hand, don’t choke off possible growth by scrimping on... more

Terminating franchise agreements

A franchise is a mutually beneficial business agreement, where the franchisor (for example, a large business such as McDonald’s) allows a franchisee to use its business idea. This... more

An employee has committed a criminal offence

Steps to follow Do you genuinely believe on reasonable grounds that the employee committed the offence? This is the test that a tribunal will apply if you dismiss the employee and the... more

Overview of fraud in businesses

Definition of fraud  In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the fraud laws were overhauled by the Fraud Act 2006 which came into force in 2007. It introduced a statutory... more

Drugs and their classifications

Illegal drugs are classed A, B, or C under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Class A drugs are considered the most dangerous, and carry the most severe penalties. The laws concerning drugs... more

Overview of product liability and product liability defences

  If you supply products to consumers you need to make sure they are safe. The main responsibility for ensuring this safety lies with the product’s manufacturers but if your... more

I want to adopt

Steps to follow If you are over 21 (over 18 if part of a couple and one of you is the birth parent) and healthy enough to provide a long-term stable environment for a child you may be... more

Overview of motor accidents

There are thousands of motor accidents on the UK’s roads each year. If you are unlucky enough to be involved in a motoring accident, you are likely to be involved in a subsequent... more

Overview of adoption

Adoption is a legal device designed to provide permanent new homes and families to some of the thousands of children in the UK who are orphaned or who have birth parents either unwilling or... more

Questions to ask when meeting a lawyer

Sometimes you will have no choice but to seek advice from a lawyer about a legal problem. If you meet a lawyer and decide that you want to engage their services, you will want to get the... more

Overview of identity theft

You are a victim of identity theft if someone pretends to be you in order to steal money or gain some other sort of benefit. Offences It is an offence to possess, control and intend... more

Workplace bullying

Acas defines workplace bullying as: “Offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate... more

Overview of commercial agreements

Joining commercial ventures with other businesses may be an attractive proposition, especially, for example, if you or the other party want to sell your products in unfamiliar... more

Overview of buying and selling a property

Buying or selling a property is, for many, a major life event. It can be a complicated process, but there will be plenty of professional help on hand to guide you through the various... more

Requirements to provide pensions to employees

There are two main types of pension in the UK: money-purchase and final salary schemes.   Money-purchase schemes include occupational money purchase, personal pensions, stakeholder... more

Company filing requirements

Every company has a duty to prepare a set of accounts which report on the company’s performance and activities during the financial year. A copy of these accounts must be sent to... more

I am being investigated for fraud

Steps to follow Have you failed to report a change in your personal circumstances to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or council or deliberately provided incorrect information... more

Buying or selling a business

There are a number of steps that need to be worked through when you are buying or selling a business. These include: valuing the business tax advice sales... more

Problems with your landlord - private landlord

The days of slum landlords have—in theory at least—ended. As a tenant, you have a right to live in a safe home free from an intrusive or unscrupulous landlord. What you are... more

Age discrimination (personal)

On 1 October 2006, age discrimination in the workplace was banned. This means employees are legally protected from discrimination on the basis of their age, just as they are from sex or... more

Disputing fees with lawyers and suing your lawyer

Has your latest bill from your lawyer left you reeling in shock? If the fee was larger than you expected, you can dispute it. Lawyers, as heavily regulated professionals, are obliged to... more

Claiming asylum

Who may claim asylum? To be recognised as a refugee and thus claim asylum in the UK, you must have left your country and be unable to go back because there is a real danger that... more

Checklist for selecting a lawyer

Whatever your legal problem, you take a big step towards resolving it when you hire a good lawyer. This in itself, however, can be tricky. Where do you find the best lawyer for you, how do... more

Overview of environmental obligations

A complex and large body of environmental laws and obligations affect businesses. These vary according to the type of business, and it is best to seek specialist advice when considering... more

Overview of crime and criminal law

We all think we know about crime—it is a theft, murder, fraud or assault. The British public are avid watchers of television crime dramas, and readers of crime fiction. But what... more

Overview of medical injuries

What is a medical injury? If the treatment you received from a doctor, hospital, dentist, nurse, midwife or other healthcare worker/ organisation falls below what is accepted as being... more

Disability discrimination (business)

All employers, bar the armed forces, have a legal duty not to discriminate against employees or job applicants on the grounds of disability. This has been the case since October 2004 (prior... more

Preparing to meet your lawyer

Once you have arranged your first meeting with a solicitor, it’s a good idea to gather your paperwork together and work out what questions you want to ask. Otherwise, you could end up... more

Overview of child support

Having children is, as they say, a lifelong commitment. Regardless of whether or not the parents stay together (or ever were in a relationship at all) they have a responsibility to support... more

Overview of the minimum wage

National Minimum Wage rates Since April 1999 most workers in the UK have been legally entitled to a minimum wage. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates are set based on recommendations... more

Can I represent myself

An individual is entitled to represent themselves or their business at a court or tribunal. This is the case whether the individual is a claimant or a defendant. It may seem a daunting... more

I have an environmental issue

Steps to follow Are you an individual? You may be worried about air or noise pollution, or concerned about the impact of a major road or property development in your area. You may be able... more

I am bankrupt

Steps to follow Do you have debts which you are totally unable to repay? You can declare yourself bankrupt which is a means of clearing debts you can’t pay. If you owe... more

Gross misconduct or being fired

Gross misconduct or being fired Gross misconduct is behaviour in the workplace which is so serious that it warrants dismissal for a first offence without... more

Injury of a member of staff at work

Employers have a duty to tell their employees about health and safety issues that may affect them, to provide relevant safety equipment and training, and to provide a safe place to... more

I need to restructure my company

Steps to follow There are many reasons for restructuring a company—realising value from assets, downsizing the workforce, streamlining and simplifying, taking it in another... more

Problems with goods and services

Goods  All consumers have rights when they buy faulty goods from someone acting in the course of trade, although the type of rights you have may depend on what you bought and how... more

Do I need a lawyer? (personal)

There are many ways to resolve legal problems, the overwhelming majority of which do not involve going to court and some of which do not require the attention of a solicitor. Having... more

Sexual harassment

Employees have a right not to be sexually harassed in the workplace, and employers have a duty not to let this happen. It causes stress and humiliation, and benefits no-one. Ultimately,... more

Missing mortgage payments

In times of recession, a great number of homeowners fall into arrears with their mortgage. If you are in this situation, you are best to seek help as fast as possible. If you... more

Dealing with domestic abuse

Nobody should have to live with domestic abuse. The abuse can be physical, sexual, financial, psychological, or emotional. It is mainly carried out by men towards women, but also happens in... more

Overview of bankruptcy

What is bankruptcy? If you are an individual and you are insolvent, i.e. you have debts which you are totally unable to repay, then you may have to consider bankruptcy as an... more

I want to buy premises, I want to sell premises

Steps to follow Do you want to change business premises? Whether buying, selling or renting premises, it is a good idea to use a specialist commercial property solicitor who will be able... more

Defending copyright and trademarks

Copyright and trademarks fall into the field of intellectual property. Copyright protects written, theatrical, musical and artistic works. It exists automatically, but in order to... more

I want a pre-nuptial agreement

Steps to follow Are you planning to get married or to enter into a civil partnership but want to protect some of your assets if everything should go wrong? Or is there a significant... more

Disability discrimination (personal)

If you are an employee or a job applicant and you have a disability, then you have certain rights under UK law. These include the right not to be discriminated against at work or during the... more

Business restructuring

Business restructuring can mean a host of different things, including downsizing the workforce, mergers, acquisitions, debt for equity swaps, and corporate simplification. Businesses... more

I have a motoring injury

Steps to follow As soon as the accident has taken place, obtain and exchange information with all other drivers involved including full names, registration numbers, insurance company... more

I have a benefits issue

Steps to follow Do you think the Benefits Office or another body (eg, CSA, HMRC, local council) has made a mistake in calculating your benefits which has resulted in you not receiving the... more

Overview of starting a new job

Pre-employment checks You’ve made it through the interview and you’ve been offered a new job – all good news, but it’s a wise idea to get the job offer in... more

I have been given a poor service

Steps to follow Have you received poor service from a plumber, builder or other provider of services? If so, is your complaint about the quality of work, the time it took to... more

Rights to maternity leave

If you’re an employee and expectant mum, you’re entitled to 26 weeks of ordinary maternity leave (OML) and 26 weeks additional maternity leave (AML) which – as long as you... more

Becoming a British citizen

There are six forms of British citizenship, some of which are defined in the British Nationality Act 1981. They are: British citizenship; British overseas... more

Special needs education

Steps to follow If your child has learning difficulties or disabilities which affects their behaviour and makes it harder for them to learn or communicate than most children of the same... more

Making staff redundant

There are various reasons why you may need to make staff redundant including closure or relocation of your company, a need to cut costs by reducing headcount or simply because some posts... more

My child has been excluded/expelled

Steps to follow If your child has learning difficulties or disabilities which affects their behaviour and makes it harder for them to learn or communicate than most children of the same... more

I have a medical injury

Steps to follow If you have a medical injury caused by the negligence of someone in the NHS and feel you’re entitled to compensation, take legal advice as soon as possible. A... more

Welcoming a child

There are laws specifically designed to protect prospective or new parents and there are a range of benefits and allowances that you are entitled to as well. Pregnant employees If... more

I want to hire an employee, I want to fire an employee, I am being made redundant, I have been fired

Steps to follow Have you been fired following a certain number of warnings? Or fired on the spot? You can only be fired for a first offence if there has been gross misconduct. This... more

Dealing with consumers

Relevant legislation If you’re a trader who sells to consumers, under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (SOGA) you must ensure the goods you sell are: as described; fit for the purpose... more

Rights of carers

If you are a carer who looks after a relative, friend or neighbour who needs support because of their sickness, age or disability, you have a number of rights at work and you may be... more

I am a victim of crime

Steps to follow Report the matter to the police as soon as possible. Dial 999 if it’s an emergency, otherwise, report it to your local police station either in person, via phone or... more

Buying or selling business premises

Buying Businesses tend to rent premises rather than buy them as finding vacant commercial premises for sale is often hard. Buying also tends to tie up what could be crucial capital and... more

What documents do I need when meeting a lawyer?

You want to ensure that your first meeting with your solicitor is as useful as possible. To ensure your solicitor thoroughly understands your problem and can provide you with proper legal... more

I have a health and safety issue

Steps to follow If you’re worried that conditions at your workplace are a potential threat to your health and/ or safety, first of all explain your concerns to your employer, or... more

I have committed a traffic offence

Steps to follow Police have the legal right to stop any motorist at any time. They don’t have to give you a reason and it’s a criminal offence if you fail to stop. When... more