Blog Posts: December 2011

You’ve got a great business idea - are you going to give it away for free? Have you just had a ‘light bulb’ moment when an idea for a great new business, product or service came to you? If so, your natural inclination is probably to go and share your brainwave with someone. Don’t do it! At least, not until you have a proper confidentiality agreement in place to protect it. The same warning applies if you’ve spent ages developing your idea and now want to reap your r.... (read more...)

I must confess to a fascination with the Leveson Inquiry into the Culture, Practice and Ethics of the press. Piers Morgan was in the witness box yesterday answering questions about his time as editor of the Daily Mirror. His evidence echoed that of James Murdoch given to the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee: he didn’t know what was going on in his organisation. It’s something I hear a lot from company directors facing claims against them personally arising from the.... (read more...)

Topics covered: Diamond Jubilee and Olympics Temporary Event Notices Minimum Price for sale of Alcohol Licensing Act 2003 general reforms Music and Entertainment Diamond Jubilee and Olympics As we approach these significant occasions for celebration, there are ample opportunities for the licensed trade to take advantage of the feel good effect. First up is the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. There will be a special holiday on 5 June following immediately on from the dela.... (read more...)

Businesses are constantly juggling resources to survive and grow. One of the decisions they have to make is when to take legal advice when entering into contracts. The reason they may choose to do without advice is the perceived cost. But the consequences can in many cases be more costly than the initial saving. I even come across businesses that fail following a costly court case when they thought they were adequately covered by a simple contract that didn’t in fact do the job it was supp.... (read more...)

With all the criticism and praise of David Cameron using his veto at the EU last week, as an expert in resolving commercial disputes, I know that sometimes walking away is the right thing to do. In negotiations and mediations, one of the ‘killer’ tactics available is the threat of walking away. The very threat of doing this puts the other side on the spot: how keen are they really to resolve the issue, to reach a win-win settlement? It sends the message that they’ve gone beyond.... (read more...)

More details on the autumn budget statement by the Chancellor have started to emerge and it looks like there’s some good news for SMEs. The focus of the Government seems to be on providing access to finance and support for exporting to the nation’s 5 million SMEs. Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Helping entrepreneurs export to new markets and get access to the finance they need are critical to making this a reality. We want to reach and help the 80 per cent of SMEs who do.... (read more...)