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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.

Debt recovery explained

Sooner or later almost every business finds itself desperately struggling to track down payment from an aloof customer. Where conventional methods fail, debt collection agencies offer an alternative solution.

Don't Miss

Shake on it: getting the best deal without losing business relationships

Powers of persuasion

Here we look at the best ways to improve the terms of existing contracts without damaging your business relationships.

Risk assessment: avoiding danger

As new legislation this month will increase the penalties for breaches of health and safety regulations, a risk assessment health check could prevent your business getting seriously injured

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.

Legal Advice News

SMEs need to act now to develop green products

CBI: SMEs must embrace low carbon opportunities

The Confederation of British Industry has urged small businesses to take advantage of low-carbon opportunities ahead of its climate change summit.

CBI: SMEs must embrace low carbon opportunities

The Confederation of British Industry has urged small businesses to take advantage of low-carbon opportunities ahead of its climate change summit.

SMEs set to embrace new IP initiative

A government tax incentive that rewards UK-patented intellectual property will be welcomed by all small businesses that invest in innovation, says a law firm.

Auto-enrolment delay could cause problems

The government’s decision to delay introducing auto-enrolment pensions for small and medium sized businesses is likely to be a mixed blessing for the sector, according to a law firm.

New EU law could break down trade barriers

Small businesses in the UK could find it easier to sell goods or services to other European countries thanks to a new EU-wide sales law, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)

FPB: Let's protect SME patent rights

The Forum of Private Business is calling for small businesses' patent rights to be better protected amid concerns that many cannot afford to sue companies which steal their ideas.

Government aims to cut red tape in manufacturing

Manufacturing businesses are being asked to play their part in cutting bureaucracy and red tape in the latest phase of a government campaign.

SMEs unfamiliar with Bribery Act

Almost three quarters of small businesses do not understand what the impending Bribery Act is or how it is likely to affect the way they do business, research finds.

Government launches website to cut red tape

The government has introduced a website challenging the public to help cut unnecessary regulations.

CIPD: Employment tribunal system ‘broken’

Employers believe the current system for resolving workplace disputes is failing them, with 69 per cent saying they have no protection against employees making claims to tribunals.

Stamp duty land tax could hit unwary SMEs

Businesses have been warned to finalise quickly any purchase of more expensive properties or face an increased stamp duty land tax (SDLT).

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FT Guide to Personal Tax

The FT Guide to Personal Tax is published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and John Bloxham, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as over 230 tax-saving tips.

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.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

The FT Guide to Business Start Up 2012, published by Pearson Education, is 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.

What Investment

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

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Small claims Questions & Answers

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Business insurance

Jason Stockwood, Simply Business

Legal Advice

John Staniforth, Partner - Kingston Smith LLP

Trade marks

Gary Johnston, Mathys & Squire LLP

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Latest questions answered

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FREE Legal, Financial, Accountancy & HR Help

Aska Professional understands the challenges faced by small businesses. That’s why we provide instant access to professional advice and legal templates. FREE access to Solicitors, Accountants, Financial Advisors & HR Specialists. Ask our experts a question and get a personal response within 60 minutes. Sign up now to ask a question - FREE.

Bupa for Businesses

We understand that all businesses are different. To help you choose the right healthcare package for you and your employees, call us today on 08457 66 11 15 or alternatively find out more here.

Hiscox business insurance for small & medium businesses

Hiscox offer specialist business insurance for office based professionals and consultants. Hiscox understand's every business is different and work hard to understand the specific risks small businesses face, so you can choose insurance to suit your individual business needs. Find out which business insurance is suitable for you.

Blogs

Winners and losers

Ben Lobel 24/01/2012

It seems that despite the government’s assurance that the Olympics will provide a long-lasting economic legacy for the UK, businesses remain unconvinced. Have your say »

Deciding on your financing needs

Small Business Finance 06/12/2011

Rory Earley, CEO of Capital for Enterprise, looks at the ramifications of getting a bank loan to fund growth opportunities. Have your say »

Winning new business in 2012

Guest Blogger 02/02/2012

Shaun Thompson, CEO of Sandler Training, explains how growth is possible in frugal times. Have your say »

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.

The debt counselling and settlement authority

Clear Start is a national organisation set up to provide free support to help people with serious debt problems.

More Small claims Resources

Other Legal Advice Resources

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Video

Selling on eBay

Ebay trader Chris Dawson gives his tips to selling through the trading website.

Tailored Quotes for your Business Insurance

Simply Business cover a wide variety of trades and provide tailored insurance quotes. Compare quotes or call 0845 072 3340 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.

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.

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.

Weekly legal help

Protect your ideas with patents and trademarks, find the right business insurance and avoid getting bogged down in legal jargon with our free advice. Find out more or sign up today.