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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.

Business ownership and management

The coronavirus (COVID-19) first appeared in China at the end of 2019. Since then it has spread to almost every corner of the earth, causing more than 165,000 deaths and infecting over two million people.

Countries across the globe have implemented partial or complete lockdowns, in some cases closing all but essential businesses and services. It has changed the very nature of how businesses and individuals work, travel, communicate and socialise, buy and sell goods and educate children.

Small businesses have had to adapt rapidly to comply with the restrictions, keep employees safe and respond to new ways of doing business.

To minimise the impact of the lock down the UK Government has announced a wide range of measures to ease the impact on businesses, the self-employed, sole traders and individuals. This includes grants and loans, a scheme which allows businesses to furlough staff and a range of business rate reliefs. Businesses and individuals have also been given extra time to pay tax liabilities.