New rate of VAT
The standard rate of VAT will increase from its current rate of 17.5% to 20%, with effect from 4 January 2011. The new 20% rate will apply to supplies made on or after 4 January 2011, and to acquisitions or importations taking place on or after that date. This measure does not affect supplies subject to other rates of VAT, such as the zero-rate or reduced rate.
Distributor or agent?
There are different options to choose from when you are considering expanding your business into a new market or territory. Two of the most common options are to appoint a distributor or an agent. There are key differences between appointing an agent or a distributor which you need to be aware of when considering how best to market, sell, or distribute your products:
Read more
Monetary Penalty Notices under the Data Protection Act 1998 - is your business at risk?
With effect from 6 April 2010, the Information Commissioner will have new powers to impose fines of up to £500,000 for serious data protection breaches by issuing a monetary penalty notice (MPN). This marks a significant change in data privacy regulation in the UK, and as 6 April draws closer, businesses have only a short time to review their data protection compliance before they are potentially at risk of a fine.
Read more
"Without prejudice" - what does it mean, and when can you use it to the advantage of your business?
If your business is in the process of negotiations to settle a dispute, where those negotiations are put in writing they should be marked "without prejudice". If this is not done, then they may be subject to disclosure and referred to in court.
Read more
Warning: is your business handling its bids and tender processes carefully enough?
A recent high-profile legal case has shown the vital importance of following proper procedures when completing a bid, tender or informal pitch. The High Court awarded interim damages of £200 million to BSkyB in a decision which is relevant to businesses across a number of industry sectors.
Read more
Corporate Manslaughter - what are the risks to my business?
Guidelines have recently been published that set out the sentence a business convicted of corporate manslaughter or a health and safety offence causing death should receive. Significant penalties can now be imposed on your business if it is convicted of either offence.
Read more
The Equality Bill - will it affect my business?
The Equality Bill is likely to come into force in Spring 2010, with the majority of its provisions taking effect in October 2010. It seeks to harmonise, simplify and improve existing discrimination legislation, and it will be relevant to service providers who provide a service to the public or a section of the public, whether or not for payment. Among other things, the Equality Bill will:
Read more
The Bribery Bill - what does my business need to do?
The government has published a draft Bribery Bill to simplify and update the law on bribery so that it can be more effectively administered and enforced. The estimated date for the Bill to become law is Spring 2010, however this depends on the timing of the general election. If the Bill is not delayed by the election, the general offences will come into effect in June 2010 and the corporate offence of failing to prevent bribery will take effect in October 2010.
Read more
- View the Articles archive
