So you’ve decided to pursue a new business venture; you’ve got your company set up and ready to go, a team of staff and a website. Regardless of what you may already have in place, seeking professional legal advice for your business will make you look more professional and can save you a lot of time and money should a dispute occur later on.

Here are a few tips on what you should consider to make sure your business is protected:

Protect your brand

Trade marks protect your business name and logo from being copied or used without your permission. Your brand identity is a valuable asset that should be protected like any other.

Protect yourself

Aside from forming a limited liability company or partnership, taking out relevant insurance policies can protect your business too. Public and Employers’ Liability policies are the most common, and if you allow the public access to your premises, this should also cover Occupier's Liability.

Employing the right people

Having a watertight contract for employees and suppliers formalises the relationship between them and your business. Are you aware of your obligations to your staff under employment law? Have you taken into account the statutory allowances, such as sick pay and maternity leave? Are you aware of the differences between an employee and a contractor?

Ensure your terms of business are watertight

Simply using generic terms and conditions that you found on the internet will place your business in a very vulnerable position as there’s a good chance that they won’t stand up under scrutiny. Your terms should be specific to your business.

Make sure your business processes follow the law

You may have terms and conditions in place, but if you don’t make your customer aware of these conditions you won’t be able to apply them. This becomes increasingly difficult when you are dealing with another business, so you need to make sure that your terms take priority over theirs. There are also terms that will be implied under law, particularly when providing goods or services, so make sure you know what these are.

Handle data with care

If you handle personal information about individuals, you will need to make sure your business fully complies with its obligations under data protection legislation.

© This article is the copyright of Watertight Legal 2012 and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion in any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for generic information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion in any specific facts or circumstances. You are urged to contact a suitably qualified lawyer for specific advice.