Legal tips

  • How IR35 reform will impact UK contractors

    How IR35 reform will impact UK contractors

    Contractors and agency workers could soon be forced to pay more in tax and National Insurance under changes put forward by the Government.

  • What is GDPR?

    GDPR: What is it and how will it affect small businesses and freelancers?

    Businesses collect and store an astronomical amount of data on their customers and clients in this digitally-driven age. However, the rules on how data is obtained and stored are about to change and it’s vital that everyone – including small businesses and freelancers – is aware of and takes notice of the changes, known as GDPR.

  • What does the brexit mean for freelancers, contractors and micro-businesses?

    What does the Brexit mean for freelancers, contractors and micro-businesses?

    Following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, we’ve summarised the most hotly debated topics affecting freelancers and contractors.

  • What is IR35?

    What is IR35?

    If you’re a contractor, freelancer or self-employed consultant, the chances are you’ve heard the phrase ‘IR35’ mentioned by your accountant, colleagues or agency. But what exactly is IR35, and how does it affect you?

  • How to deal with difficult clients

    How to deal with difficult clients

    It may not be immediately obvious, but a large part of running a business involves managing the expectations, behaviours and attitudes of your clients.

  • ICO: data breaches rose in Q3 2013

    ICO: data breaches rose in Q3 2013

    The number of data breaches across UK industries rose by 25% in the third quarter of 2013 compared to the first three months of last year, according to new data from the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

  • MOD raises awareness of cyber threats

    MOD raises awareness of cyber threats for SMEs

    The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has published new guidance regarding cyber security for businesses, aiming to raise awareness among companies – especially smaller businesses – about the importance of improving their cyber security programmes.

  • How to handle late paying customers

    How to handle late paying customers

    Late payment can be one of the biggest challenges that small businesses and freelancers have to face. Cashflow is extremely important to a business, yet all will - at some point - face customers who are slow at paying, whether they are suffering financially or not.

  • Employing staff: what are the legal implications?

    Employing staff: what are the legal implications?

    Recruiting a new employee for your firm can be a stressful time; finding the right candidate is only a small part of the process. From the interviewing stage through to them leaving your employment, there are legalities that need to be followed to ensure your firm isn't subject to a fine or court case.

  • Changing from a sole trader to a limited company

    Changing from a sole trader to a limited company

    Many professionals start their business as sole traders. There are numerous reasons for doing this - for example, the ease of setting up (there is no formal registration except with HMRC) and the ability to make company decisions unhindered by others.