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Archive for the ‘General Law’ Category

It’s kicking off for employers…

Posted in Employment, General Law on March 10, 2010 | 10 Comments »

2010 has come round pretty fast, and business owners are getting ready to deal with workers’ requests for time off to watch World Cup matches on TV – or even go to South Africa. Can you remember all the legal rules about holidays?
The bottom line is that workers are entitled to 28 days’ paid holiday [...]

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Beating the bullies

Posted in Disputes, Employment, General Law on March 2, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

The issue of workplace bullying has hit the headlines again with allegations about the Prime Minister.
As is so often the case, people’s reactions tend to be shaped by their own views. Labour loyalists are quick to describe Gordon Brown as passionate – but not a bully – while political opponents try to stir things up.
That’s [...]

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Small Businesses and HR: In the beginning…

Posted in Employment, Finding a lawyer, General Law, Uncategorized on February 24, 2010 | 1 Comment »

As a start-up, hiring the first employee is a big step. Many regulations and laws affect the hiring, firing, and work of employees. If you employ other people you have to meet the requirements of employment law, and be responsible for paying wages, tax, National Insurance Contributions and Working Tax Credits where relevant.
Having recently set [...]

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Intellectual property can seriously injure your wealth

Posted in General Law, Intellectual property on February 17, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

This week’s blog comes from IP barrister Jane Lambert. Offering a very personal view of how small businesses can approach their IP, she points out that getting legal protection for your invention is no magic shield – many innovators learn that the expensive way.
While IP is growing in popularity as a building block for [...]

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More leave for working mums – the right way forward?

Posted in Employment, General Law on January 20, 2010 | 5 Comments »

Radio 4’s Today programme recently offered us the thought that our problem with the UK ’s workforce is that too many employment laws are driven by high-falutin’ ideology rather than evidence they achieve what we want.
I don’t care what each new bit of legislation says, or why it was dreamed up, as long as [...]

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Law Donut Christmas message

Posted in General Law, Uncategorized on December 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

2009 has been a fantastic year for the Law Donut team. Before we take a festive break from giving you the best free legal advice, news and resources online, we’d like to wish you, our readers, a Happy Christmas and a particularly successful 2010.
As an ever-growing club, your questions, contributions and witty-but-wise comments make our [...]

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Small firms on the web: when online risks aren’t a pretty picture

Posted in General Law, Intellectual property, Uncategorized on December 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

Many small firms have a website nowadays, and those that don’t are probably thinking about one. But while we all know the benefits – increased sales, better market presence, satisfyingly glam company image – are you aware exactly how fast your website can get you into trouble?
A welter of court cases recently illustrates the [...]

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Taking action on insolvency

Posted in General Law, Insolvency on December 9, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

Almost a year to the day that Woolworths folded, the news broke that the bookshop chain Borders UK has also gone into administration.
Given the current economic climate, becoming insolvent – having debts that you are unable to pay – is a very real threat to many small-business owners. If you’re struggling to keep on top [...]

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Divorce and the SME: could you lose your livelihood as well as your love life?

Posted in Disputes, Family, General Law, Ownership and management, Uncategorized on October 13, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

With most small businesses being family firms, it’s a surprise that divorce isn’t mentioned more often as something of a business risk. What would happen to you and the company if your marriage broke up? Following the recent trend of courts handing out huge payoffs to housewives and husbands alike, could you lose your livelihood [...]

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