Law for the Small Business

Patricia Clayton is a solicitor and barrister. She both lectures and writes on business law and practises in London. She is also the author of Forming a Limited Company, published by Kogan Page.

Part 1 Starting Out: Choices; EU Law; Loans; Retaining control; Formalities; Close companies; Tax comparisons; Closing down; Quick comparisons; Statutory references. Part 2 Getting going: Business names; Domain names; Trade marks; The partnership agreement; The company's constitution; First business contracts; Statutory references. Part 3 Money: Sole trader; Partnership; Corporate capital; Corporate profits; Increasing the company's capital; Reducing the company's capital; Loans from the company; Fines and penalties; Dividends; Loans to the company; Statutory references. Part 4 Running the business: Partners' responsibilities; Directors' responsibilities; The company secretary; Single-member companies; Auditors; Accounts; Exemption from audit for small companies; The "exemption for individual accounts" keeping the shareholders informed; Shareholders' meetings; Statutory references. Part 5 Premises: Planning permission; Leases; Stamp duty; Rent arrears; Conditions of work; Employees' responsibilities; Employer's vicarious liability; Independent contractors and the self-employed; Temporary workers; Factories; Offices and shops; Employer protection; Special legislation for certain trades; Statutory references. Part 6 Tax: The tax bill; Independent taxation; Self-assessment; Tax and the European Union; Business rates; The soletrader and the partnership; Allowable business expenses; Capital allowances; Rollover relief; Stock relief; Benefits in kind; Company car taxation; The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS);The Venture Capital Trust (VCT); Scheme Corporate Venturing Scheme Corporation Tax (CT);Inheritance Tax (IT);Capital Gains Tax (CGT); Disposal of business assets; Value Added Tax (VAT); PAYE; National Insurance Contributions (NICs);Pensions; Statutory references. Part 7 Insurance: The insurance contract; The law of the contract; Terms and conditions; Cover; Goods in transit; Carriage by sea; Marine insurance; Notice of loss; Settlement; Insuring business premises; Types of insurance; Directors and auditors; Insuring key personnel; Disputes; Statutory references. Part 8 Employers and employees: Employers' obligations; Employee protection; Hours of work; Contracts of employment; Wages; Sick pay; Trade union agreements; Anti-discrimination legislation; Maternity benefits; Disabled employees; Employees with criminal records; Exposure to health risks; Guarantee and redundancy payments; Employees' obligations; References; Inducing breach of the contract of employment; Disciplinary powers of management; Dismissal; E-mail and your employees; Wrongful dismissal; Offences and penalties; Statutory references. Part 9 Trading Contracts: Arbitration; Buying and selling for cash; Agreeing the contract; Payment and delivery; Misrepresentation; Criminal offences; Misleading advertising; Buying and selling on credit; Credit buyer's protection; Consumer hire agreements; Hiring industrial plant and machinery; Mortgages; Doorstep selling. (Part contents.)