smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

'Mine's a pint, please'

For all the numerous and well-documented benefits of exercise, it...
Have your say »

RSS

Guides & Tips

Starting the small claims process

If you have a claim to make against another business or sole-trader, you may need to go through the small claims process. SmallBusiness.co.uk tells you how to start the process.

A study carried out recently indicated that the majority of businesses that suffered a major insurance claim, where production fell by more than 80 per cent, failed after a year, regardless of how good their insurance cover was. SmallBusiness.co.uk provides some points to help you if you need to make a claim.

How to avoid unfair dismissal claims

Dismissing an employee can be a difficult area to tackle for employers. This guide from SmallBusiness.co.uk gives an overview of the basics to help you avoid paying any unnecessary compensation and explains the basis for claims of ‘unfair’ dismissal.

Don't Miss

How to claim on your public liability insurance

Claims made against SMEs can be particularly damaging. Here SmalllBusiness.co.uk and Chris Slater, head of insurance at online business insurance comparator SimplyBusiness.co.uk, offer some top tips to ensure you have adequate public liability insurance.

Dealing with a court battle

Mike Watson, MD of industrial cleaning company Tube Tech International, has fought three legal battles over 25 years.

Upcoming changes to the law

On 1 October a number of changes to UK legislation come into play that may affect your business. This article from SmallBusiness.co.uk gives a round up of the changes that are most relevant to SMEs.

Legal Advice News

Red tape on training needs to be reduced

Small businesses could face additional regulation by the government if they are forced to undertake formal meetings with employees who request time off to train, warns the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Red tape on training needs to be reduced

Female workers need supportive legislation, entrepreneur claims

Despite the work of campaigners and legislators there remains a 'massive, massive under-representation of women in senior positions', an online resource for female entrepreneurs says.

London mayor 'has significant economic powers' to protect business

The new mayor of London will have significant power over the economic development of the city, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Bosses face damages for third party sexual harassment

A top employment lawyer is warning employers they could face unlimited damages if they fail to protect employees from sexual harassment by third parties, under new laws now in force.

Small firms face 'difficulties' in taking a dispute to tribunal

Taking a dispute at work to an employment tribunal will 'definitely be more difficult' for employees and employers in small businesses compared with a larger company, according to an industry expert.

Self-employed 'need full life insurance'

The self-employed have a particular need for life insurance as "they are responsible for all their own benefits", say insurance experts.

Illegal practices in the workplace can result in 'serious penalties'

Both employers and employees in SMEs can face 'serious penalties' for engaging in illegal practices in the workplace, according to employment law specialists.

Firms still facing red tape burden

Small firms are still facing excessive amounts of regulation, new research has revealed.

Get prepared for regulation changes

With changes to employment regulations coming on 1 October, Business Link is advising employers to act now to get to grips with the legislation.

Government to simplify small business advice schemes

The government has announced proposals to simplify the process for small businesses to receive business advice.

Events Calendar

City University & Knowledge Connect: Free money from the LDA for your business

29th June, City University, Ground Floor, Room AG07

Business Startup

28th November, Olympia, London

Protecting Your Business

6th September, Best Western Country Hotel, Caerphilly

Store

FT Guide to Personal Tax

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Tax Guide, the FT Guide to Personal Tax is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and Jonquil Lowe, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as 100 tax-saving tips.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Small Business Guide, the FT Guide to Business Start Up is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc, this unique guide has sold over two million copies. It offers practical advice about starting and running your own business.

Growth Company Investor

Growth Company Investor is widely recognised as the leading magazine for investors interested in AIM and smallcap companies. Published 10 times per year, and brought to you by an award-winning analyst team, it offers subscribers unrivalled insight into high-potential smaller companies. Subscribe today with a 50% discount in your first year.

What Investment

What Investment is the leading and longest-established investment magazine in the UK.

Regular Small Business newsletters
Access to all our experts in the Q & A forum
Post comments on articles

A smart choice with healthy benefits for your business

Whether you're self-employed or a small business, private medical insurance could help reduce your sickness absence costs, by providing prompt access to treatment - so you and your employees can get back to work as quickly as possible. Click here for more information.

Flexible health cover for your business

Every year sickness absence costs the UK economy around £13 billion. Want to know how much sickness absence could be damaging the health of your business? Click here to find out and receive a personalised quote.

Compare Insurance quotes for Public Liability

Public Liability Insurance covers your business for damages and compensation in the event your business has caused injury or death to a member of the public or damaged their property. Compare Public Liability Insurance quotes from Simply Business.

Small claims Resource Centre

Make a money claim online

Money Claim Online is a simple, convenient and secure way of making or responding to a monetary claim on the internet.

Get support for small claims

This group is concerned with all aspects of the Consumer Rights and has experience and expertise in reclaiming bank charges.

Claim back bank charges

Would you like to claim back bank charges from the last 6 years? This free guide in 6 simple steps is aimed at helping you make a claim.

Get answers to your small claims questions

This site answers questions concerning various aspects of small claims.

A guide to using the civil courts

This site provides a guide to using the civil courts. It contains links forms and court leaflets that you are likely to need when making a claim.

How to make a claim

This site features information about the different stages of making a claim through the county court.

The Legal situation for small claims

Any uncertainties concerning the legal situation for small claims can be clarified on this website.

The Better Payment Practice Campaign

The Better Payment Practice Group is a cooperative forum of representatives of the business community and Government that seeks to help improve the payment culture amongst organisations trading in the UK.

More Small claims Resources

Other Legal Advice Resources

Polls

Video

BT Tradespace

Hear more about BT Tradespace, an online platform for small businesses provided by BT.

Easy and effective email marketing

Parker Trewin, Director of Marketing and Communications at Genius.com, demonstrates how Genius Pro can help you manage your email marketing campaigns more effectively.

Marketing an SME online

No matter what kind of business you are in, an online presence has become a vital tool for promoting your company and selling your products and services.

Competitive advantages from home working

Research shows that 69% of UK employees would like to work from home, with a further 20% saying they would take a pay cut for this type of flexibility.

Blogs

Will Alan Sugar sweeten business prospects?

Marc Barber 10/06/2009

While any help singled out for small businesses should be welcomed, the appointment of Sir Alan Sugar as ‘Enterprise Tsar’ smacks of gimmicky desperation. Have your say »

Burning the candle at both ends

Penny Proffit 30/06/2008

The romantics among you may think that running your own business might be relaxing. Have your say »

Intellectual property – Protect your assets

Guest Blogger 22/10/2008

As markets adapt to the impact of the current financial crisis, ambitious owner-managers will seek to identify and nurture core value in their enterprises. Have your say »

Q&A

Register or login to ask a question to our panel of experts...

Advice for employers

Peter Done, Peninsula

111 posts

Latest questions answered

Q: Partnership or limited company Q: Trade marks Q: Smoking breaks Q: Alleged theft Q: Return of company property Q: Holiday pay Q: Terms and conditions

Prize Draw

Enter our Small Business competition and win a laptop!

Are you an entrepreneurial legend in your local community? Has your business savvy seen you blossom during the boom times and bootstrap during the bad? If the answer is "yes", then you'll be intrigued to hear that Smallbusiness.co.uk has teamed up with Insurantz.com to discover 30 of the UK's best run small businesses. Click here to enter

Tailored Quotes for your Business Insurance

Simply Business cover a wide variety of trades and provide tailored insurance quotes. Compare quotes for Public Liability and Employers Liability Insurance, and take out optional extras such as tool and plant cover.

Professional Indemnity

Professional Indemnity insurance covers your business from claims against it by clients who have suffered financial loss as a result of using your services. Simply Business offers tailored quotes to suit your professional needs from a range of leading insurers.

Landlord Insurance

Landlord Insurance can cover various risks that come with owning and renting a property. With Simply Business you can compare quotes for Landlord Insurance to find the best level of cover for your property and at the best price.

Compare Insurance quotes for Employers Liability

Employers’ Liability insurance covers you and your business against claims from employees injured at work or taken ill as a result of working for you. Compare Insurance quotes for Employers Liability to ensure your business can cover claims without compromising its financial stability.