When you are running a business, it is naturally important that you abide by the law. If you don’t, you could face costly legal problems. Business owners have a responsibility to understand their legal obligations, and if you do not have specialists advising you, you could find yourself in trouble.
In this article, we will discuss some of the top ways that you can avoid legal problems in your business.
It is important to remember that this is not by any means an exhaustive list. Every business is different, and each one faces different legal issues according to various factors, for example their size, the sector in which they operate, and the amount of data they handle. It is always best to seek specialist advice to fit with your business’ unique needs.
If you would like to find out more on this topic, then keep reading for more information.
Ask for advice
Of course, one of the easiest ways that you can avoid legal problems in your business is by making sure that you ask for advice from experts. Being proactive about this can save you money and headaches, avoiding potential legal problems further down the line. Choosing the correct advisor is key. To help you find the right law firm, you may wish to look at online reviews and independent legal directories, or even ask around for personal recommendations.
Many business owners or senior managers (especially those of SMEs) can be reluctant to instruct law firms at the outset, fearing they will rack up unnecessary costs. However, getting good legal advice from the outset can in many instances be the most cost-effective option. Running into problems with, for example, supplier contracts or employment law can often be avoided should the correct advice have been taken early on.
Get your documentation in order
The next way in which you might avoid legal problems in your business is by making sure that you have terms and conditions put in place (a lawyer will help to craft these in a way that work to your advantage). Well-written terms and conditions and supplier contracts can help to keep cashflow problems at bay.
Commercial contracts should always reflect the agreed terms, and don’t forget to keep a record of any subsequent changes. A legal advisor will be able to help to advise on which documents your business will require, the content of these documents and how these should be displayed (for example, a privacy policy, and a disclaimer). For example, if your site collects information about visitors, such as email addresses, uses programmes to analyse visitor behaviour, or has a contact page then you will most likely need to have a privacy policy in place. This tells clients and visitors to the site what you will be doing with the information.
Follow employment best practice
If you employ people, you must ensure that you follow the rules; if you don’t, you could find yourself facing potentially costly legal action (such as an employment tribunal). You should seek advice from a specialist employment lawyer to make sure your policies and contracts are in order. These should be reviewed regularly to ensure they keep up with any changes in the law, for example, or any change in the employee’s job role such as a promotion. It is wise to also “identify which employees have valuable business information or relationships, and protect yourself contractually” (source: Willans.co.uk).
You should also have a social media policy in place and make sure your employees follow this.
Protect your intellectual property
If your business creates anything, from written materials to products, intellectual property issues may arise from this.
You should make sure you have good contracts in place which recognise and protect your intellectual property and clarify who owns what intellectual property if employees and contractors are involved.
Keep this information in mind
Overall, there are a lot of things that you need to consider when it comes to avoiding legal problems. If you are ever in any doubt, it is best to contact legal specialists to ensure your business is as protected as it can be.