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Guides & Tips

Safe and secure

New legislation means that companies could be fined up to £500,000 for breaching the Data Protection Act. Read our guide on how to stay on the right side of the law.

Does the Data Protection Act affect you?

This factsheet describes the purpose and requirements of the Data Protection Act and explains what you need to do in order to comply with it. It includes useful hints and tips as well as sources of further information.

Guide to identity theft protection

The outcry over identity theft on social networking sites like FaceBook and MySpace serves as a reminder of how the openness of the internet can mean rich pickings for fraudsters. Educating your staff about the dangers is key to protecting your business.

Why IT security is vital

The internet is providing rich pickings for the criminal underworld. How can you protect the data of your business and your clients?

Protecting your identity

Online identity theft is big business for those of a criminal persuasion. So how can you prtect yourself against the unseen threat?

Coping with data loss

According to data recovery firm Ontrack, 89 per cent of companies fail to allocate budget for data recovery and 78 per cent have experienced data loss in the past 12 months. SmallBusiness.co.uk offers the following tips on handling data.

Don't Miss

Using e-discovery can be a good judgment call

Cut your legal bills

As your business grows, so will its chances of being caught in civil court proceedings. Here SmallBusiness.co.uk shows you how to keep the lawyers at bay.

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

Legal Advice News

Businesses could face fines if they don't comply with new website laws

Businesses to comply with new website privacy laws

UK small businesses could face fines of up to £500,000 if they fail to meet tough new website privacy laws which come into force this month.

Businesses to comply with new website privacy laws

UK small businesses could face fines of up to £500,000 if they fail to meet tough new website privacy laws which come into force this month.

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.

Events Calendar

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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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Spam and data protection 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

Q: Breaching the data protection act Q: Employees rights - staff records Q: Employers holding personal details on file Q: Keeping staff information Q: Data protection law when selling a business Q: Customer information and the Data Protection Act 1998 Q: Changing falsified documents

Top investment ideas for your ISA

This free guide includes 3 key ISA investment themes for 2012, ISA picks and tips and ready-made ISA portfolios. Get your free copy here.

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.

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.

Blogs

On your plane

Ben Lobel 15/05/2012

Foreign Secretary William Hague’s call for business owners to ‘stop complaining about the economy and work harder’ is pretty unfounded in light of recent statistics. (1 comments) Have your say »

Short-term finance

Small Business Finance 12/04/2012

Rory Earley, CEO of Capital for Enterprise, explores the options for borrowing for working capital, including bank overdrafts and invoice finance. Have your say »

Wonga enters business loan market: A commentary

Guest Blogger 10/05/2012

John Antunes, director of SME & Channels at SAP UKI, considers the ramifications of Wonga's decision to offer business loans. Have your say »

Spam and data protection Resource Centre

Your responsibilities and obligations

The ICO is here to help you understand the obligations of public and private companies to protect any personal information they hold and inform you of any changes to the law.

Data protection and your business

Business Link provides information on privacy and data protection.

Data Protection Act

This government site contains the complete Data Protection Act 1998.

More Spam and data protection Resources

Other Legal Advice Resources

Polls

Video

Marketing your business

Tim Witcherley, managing director of communications agency Cognition, discusses the basics of conveying your brand.

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.

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.