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Setting up a business involves complying with a range of legal requirements. Find out which ones apply to you and your new enterprise.

What particular regulations do specific types of business (such as a hotel, or a printer, or a taxi firm) need to follow? We explain some of the key legal issues to consider for 200 types of business.

While poor governance can bring serious legal consequences, the law can also protect business owners and managers and help to prevent conflict.

Whether you want to raise finance, join forces with someone else, buy or sell a business, it pays to be aware of the legal implications.

From pay, hours and time off to discipline, grievance and hiring and firing employees, find out about your legal responsibilities as an employer.

Marketing matters. Marketing drives sales for businesses of all sizes by ensuring that customers think of their brand when they want to buy.

Commercial disputes can prove time-consuming, stressful and expensive, but having robust legal agreements can help to prevent them from occurring.

Whether your business owns or rents premises, your legal liabilities can be substantial. Commercial property law is complex, but you can avoid common pitfalls.

With information and sound advice, living up to your legal responsibilities to safeguard your employees, customers and visitors need not be difficult or costly.

As information technology continues to evolve, legislation must also change. It affects everything from data protection and online selling to internet policies for employees.

Intellectual property (IP) isn't solely relevant to larger businesses or those involved in developing innovative new products: all products have IP.

Knowing how and when you plan to sell or relinquish control of your business can help you to make better decisions and achieve the best possible outcome.

From bereavement, wills, inheritance, separation and divorce to selling a house, personal injury and traffic offences, learn more about your personal legal rights.

The Pitch competition opens for applications

20 April 2021

This year's Pitch competition promises to give 3,000 UK start-ups the tools they need to become investment ready.

The Pitch - now in its 14th year - offers new businesses the chance to be mentored and funded by top investors. This free-to-enter competition has helped UK start-ups raise tens of millions of pounds since launching in 2008. The competition is open to small businesses that have been trading for up to three years.

The 2021 programme is now open for applications. This hybrid event includes free online educational resources and workshops as well as live in-person pitching events, designed to equip entrepreneurs with the skills they need to take their business to the next level. The top ten start-ups will go on to compete on the national stage to win a package of mentoring and support from well-known entrepreneurs and the chance to gain investment.

Throughout May and June, there is a free package of online learning and webinars which anybody can access. Regional semi-finals will be held in October and the final will take place in November.

"The Pitch is committed to giving 3,000 UK start-ups the tools they need to become investment ready - and take their business to the next level," said Chris Goodfellow, founder of The Pitch. "The competition and package of mentoring and learning, which is completely free, will equip thousands of UK start-ups with the skills and opportunity to raise the money they need to grow."

This year's programme is supported by SageCrowdcubeSimpleWebAgora and FounderCatalyst.

"The pandemic has seen many individual's mindset shift on their working circumstances, with many now looking to take the plunge and start their own business," said Kirsty Waller, vice president UKI marketing at Sage.

Since launching in 2008, The Pitch has helped many start-ups, including ResolverLatest Free Stuff and Much Better Adventures.

Written by Rachel Miller.

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