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Small business legal expertise crucial

Sep 25 2007

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Small businesses have been urged to seek professional advice on employment law or face the consequences.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has told firms that due to their lack of finance it is crucial that they avoid dismissal disputes at all costs.

Belinda Webb, spokesperson for the FSB, says: 'It's not just important; it's absolutely vital that the law is adhered to, because it saves further problems down the line.'

And underlining the difference between small firms and their larger counterparts, she continues: 'With a bigger company, they have their set procedures in place. They may have a legal department, whereas many small companies don't.'

According to Employment Tribunal Service statistics, the number of claims at the Tribunal has risen by 15 per cent in the last year.

The figures revealed an increase in the number of claims being brought on the grounds of age discrimination with 972 brought between October and March alone.

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