When you’re starting a new business, getting your legals done can seem like a daunting process. There’s an endless sea of information out there, and everywhere you turn you seem to be told you need different things. You’re often left wondering – what is the point of legal services? What do I actually need? Do I need a lawyer or can I do this myself?
If this sounds like you, you’ve come to right place! We’ve created these guides to help businesses like yours navigate the complex and confusing world of legal information. By the end of these guides, you’ll have a framework for understanding how legals fit into your business and be able to work out everything you need, whether now, or in the future.
We’ve organised each of the guides into chapters and put them in the recommended order of reading. While some chapters may not be as relevant for your business as others, it’s still a good idea to turn your mind to the issues they raise.
Before we dig into the details, it’s important to understand how legals fit into your business. In this first chapter, we’ll explain what business legals are all about and explain how legals can protect and enhance your business. We’ll also address a few misconceptions about the role of lawyers.
You’ve got a great idea for a new business and you’re ready to think about the legal side of things – so what should you do now? This chapter is all about making sure you and your co-founders are on the same page, and getting your ideas in writing.
Getting the structure of your business right from the start is incredibly important. In this chapter, we’ll examine the most common business structures – sole trader, partnership and company – and each of their relative advantages and disadvantages.
This chapter is all about relationships — specifically, the relationships between you and your co-founders or business partners. It’s important to give this aspect of your business serious consideration before things go full steam ahead and you find yourself busy with everyday business operations!
