The very same commercial lease can be both a godsend or a noose depending on the terms struck between the parties at the outset. Will it provide a good foundation with which to give the business the opportunity to prosper or will it be a drain on profit with expenditure taking away any likelihood of
Being an entrepreneur is risky business, with start-ups in particular usually adopting a “learning by doing” approach. Experience is hard earned, with success or failure requiring a measure of luck as well as business nous, especially in those early days. Thankfully, as access to information became as easy as a click of a button, business
The decision to leave the EU has already hurt business finances and will quickly lead to a rise in corporate insolvencies, according to a survey of its members by the insolvency and restructuring trade body, R3. Its figures show that 72% of respondents believe the referendum result will cause corporate insolvency numbers to rise by
Directors are being urged by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to make sure their company practices comply with the law. Failure to do so could result in penalties and disqualification. The CMA has provided the following check list: Why should directors help companies avoid breaking competition law? Company directors have a special responsibility to
Employers have had to pay out more than £83,000 under the tribunal penalty regime that came into force last year. Firms now face penalties of up to £5,000 for non-payment of tribunal awards under the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act. The regime applies to judgments made on or after 6 April, 2016. The Department
The government says it wants to provide mothers and pregnant women with better protection against the threat of redundancy. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is to hold a public consultation on the issue and consider new ways to ensure women are not subjected to discrimination at work. It follows a report by
Machins Solicitors regularly advise start-up businesses on the legal aspects of their new venture. Set out below is a basic checklist of the main points for you to consider and which we are usually asked to advise on: Business Structure Choose an appropriate business structure. The most common are: Sole trader – is when you
Many will be familiar with contracts in one way or another. However, to some, preparing or reviewing such documentation may seem like a wasteful expense, particularly for a new business as the cost would cut into that all important bottom line. Legally, a contract can be written or spoken and therefore an effective agreement could
A beauty therapist who was made redundant by the Bannatyne Fitness group because she was unable to work weekends has been awarded £18,000 for unfair dismissal and injury to her feelings. The Employment Tribunal heard that Emma Holt had worked at Bannatyne Fitness in Carlisle for nearly 10 years. She had a flexible hours agreement
A pilot who was suspended by travel company Thomas Cook after saying he was too tired to fly has won his grievance claim. The Employment Tribunal was told that Captain Mike Simkins was suspended for six months and threatened with dismissal because he refused to fly a Boeing 767 with more than 200 passengers on