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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

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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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

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.

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. Find out which business insurance is suitable for you.

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.

Blogs

Apprenticeship dreams

Ben Lobel 07/02/2012

So, another government incentive has been dangled in front of small businesses in the form of a fresh £6 million fund for hiring apprentices. Have your say »

A promising venture

Small Business Finance 06/02/2012

Rory Earley, CEO of Capital for Enterprise, explores how small businesses should approach venture capital. 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 »

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

Selling on eBay

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

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.

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.