A new Bill to help small businesses is being introduced by the government. The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill contains several measures designed to make it easier for small firms to thrive. They include: • Strengthening the rules on director disqualifications and measures to help creditors recoup losses resulting from director misconduct. • Assisting
When setting up a business venture involving two or more people it is essential to have a written agreement so that everyone understands their responsibilities and entitlements. Failure to do so can lead to confusion and the need for legal action, as illustrated in a recent case before the High Court. It involved three people
The problems small firms face with late payments from larger businesses is being tackled in a new set of guidelines put forward by the government. Hundreds of large firms have signed the Prompt Payment Code but many of them don’t always meet the standards required. Overdue invoices have been identified as one of the major
More UK businesses are protecting their brand by challenging trademark applications from rival companies. According to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), 1,775 companies took action to prevent a rival registering a conflicting trademark in the financial year 2013/14 – a 17% rise on the previous year. It is evidence that UK companies are actively protecting
You have two employees both want to work shorter hours, starting late and finishing early. One, a father for school drop offs/pick-ups and his colleague who wants the same flexibility to train for triathlons. What do you do if you can’t agree to both? Previously, employers only have to consider requests from employees caring for
From 30th June 2014 all employees, provided they have 26 weeks’ continuous service, will have the statutory right to request working flexibly. Employers need to be fully prepared. In order to protect against employment claims, we recommend employers have an updated flexible working process in place. Some businesses can easily accommodate flexible working but your
A police officer has lost an unfair dismissal claim after it was ruled that his conduct in making a legitimate complaint had resulted in him becoming “unmanageable”. During his time with the police force, the officer made several complaints about the attitude towards victims of rape, child abuse and domestic violence that he witnessed in
Letting agents will have to publish full details of the fees they charge or face a fine under new regulations being introduced by the government. Ministers say the move will help to ensure a fairer deal for both landlords and tenants. Under the current regulations, agents have to list their compulsory charges to the tenant.
Female entrepreneurs are being helped to grow their businesses by a new set of government schemes. The measures are part of the Small Business: GREAT Ambition campaign which aims to help small businesses survive and thrive as the economy continues to recover. Part of the campaign is targeted specifically at female business owners, with various
Businesses will be able to protect their intellectual property rights more effectively across Europe and the rest of the world as new legislation comes into effect. The Intellectual Property Act received the Royal Assent on 14 May. One of its key features is that it enables the UK to implement the Unified Patent Court Agreement,