qLegal provides free legal advice, workshops and resources to start-ups and entrepreneurs.
In this section we provide resources covering a variety of topics, including: Intellectual Property rights, privacy and compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), business structures and incorporation, and guidance for kickstarting a business in the UK.
I Am Setting Up My Company, Which Structure Should I Go For [PDF 1,028KB]This toolkit explains the factors to consider when selecting a corporate structure for your business and outlines the main differences between operating your business as a sole trader, a partnership and a limited company.
Doing Social Good and Choosing Your Charity Structure [PDF 276KB] This toolkit is designed to assist start-ups who are considering structuring their business as a charity.
Confidentiality Agreements [PDF 887KB] This toolkit provides start-ups with a general understanding of confidentiality agreements, their purpose and the typical contexts in which they are used. It lists the key provisions to include in such agreements, and limitations to their use.
How contracts work [PDF 732KB] This online publication explains some of the basics regarding how English law contracts work in business-to-business situations and some of the key things to think about if you're entering into a business agreement.
What to consider when creating a website for your business [PDF 818KB] This online publication explains what things to consider before creating a website, for example for a small company wishing to sell its products online (B2C). Firstly, the question of acquiring ownership of a domain name will be dealt with. Secondly, the issue of cookies and privacy policies and their importance will be examined. Thirdly, the terms and conditions will be discussed. Finally, the document will explain what SEOs are and what they are used for.
Getting Your Corporate Structure and Related Legal Documents in Order [PDF 179KB] This toolkit explains the factors to consider when selecting a corporate structure for your business and outlines the main differences between operating your business as a sole trader, a limited liability partnership and a private company limited by shares.
Why Your Enterprise Needs to Think About a Corporate Structure? [PDF 423KB] This toolkit explains the why, when, what and how of selecting a corporate structure for your business and outlines the main differences between operating your business as a sole trader, a general partnership and a private company limited by shares and a community interest company.
Why Your Enterprise Needs a Corporate Structure slides [PDF 2,108KB]These slides and this handout [PDF 237KB] review when and why you need to set up a corporate structure for your business.
Picking the Right Corporate Structure for Your Social Enterprise [PDF 179KB] This handout reviews in detail the differences between and how to form the following three business structures: Sole Traders, Private Companies Limited by Shares and Community Interest Companies.
Understanding Funding Structures for Start-ups Before Meeting with Investors [PDF 969KB] This toolkit outlines the various funding structures available to start-ups, and the key considerations start-ups should make in choosing a funding structure that works for their business.
What to Consider When You Hire and or Work with Others [PDF 477KB] This toolkit is designed to assist businesses in understanding the differences in hiring employees, contractors and workers.
What the Uber Court Case Means for my Business [PDF 811KB] This toolkit is designed to explain the potential effects of the Uber case on your business, covering the obligations for hiring employees, freelancers and workers in the UK. This toolkit will also explore the interaction between the law, as outlined in Uber, and the business decisions you make daily. We hope that our toolkit will offer you, as an employer, clarity on several key issues in light of the Uber decision.
Tips for Managers [PDF 806KB] This online publication explains major universal tips for managers working with any kind and size of company.
What to consider when selling your product/services online [PDF 1,062KB] This online publication provides an overview of the legal tools that you need to keep in mind when selling products and/or services online.
How to Successfully Kick Start your Business: Top 5 legal tips! [PDF 956KB] This online publication points-out some of the most relevant issues that may arise when starting a business. Topics are briefly explained, and further information is provided through links to more detailed documents or helpful websites.
Social Media and the Law [PDF 16,582KB] This set of power point slides highlights and illustrates the legal issues to consider when amplifying your business via social media.
Introduction to Intellectual Property Rights [PDF 788KB] This toolkit is designed to assist start-ups in understanding the basics of intellectual property rights and how they might apply to their business.
Copyright Explained [PDF 941KB] This toolkit is designed to assist start-ups in understanding the basics of copyright and how it might apply to their business.
Design Rights Explained [PDF 908KB]This toolkit is designed to assist start-ups in understanding the basics of design rights and how they might apply to their business.
Protect Your Brand! Trade Marks Explained – Part 1 Introducing Trade Marks [PDF 843KB] This toolkit is Part 1 of a series on trade marks. It is designed to assist start-ups in understanding the basics of trade marks and how they might apply to their business.
Protect Your Brand! Trade Marks Explained – Part 2 Registered Trade Marks [PDF 930KB] This toolkit is Part 2 of a series on trade marks. It is designed to assist start-ups in understanding the basics of registered trade marks and how they might apply to their business.
Protect Your Brand! Trade Marks Explained – Part 3 Unregistered Trade Marks and Passing Off [PDF 801KB] This toolkit is Part 3 of a series on trade marks. It is designed to assist start-ups in understanding the basics of unregistered trade marks and how they might apply to their business.
Protect your Invention! Patents and Trade Secrets Explained [PDF 587KB] This toolkit is designed to assist start-ups in understanding patents and trade secrets, and how they might apply to their business.
It's time for patent protection! [PDF 2,055KB]This toolkit is designed to help start-ups learn more about patents and why they may be right for their business.
Ways to Commercialise Your IP [PDF 172KB] This toolkit provides start-ups with an overview of the various ways of strategising their Intellectual Property Rights, such as assignment, licensing, franchising, joint ventures and spin-offs.
Confidentiality Agreements [PDF 887KB]This toolkit provides start-ups with a general understanding of confidentiality agreements, their purpose and the typical contexts in which they are used. It lists the key provisions to include in such agreements, and limitations to their use.
Protecting your IP when collaborating with others [PDF 209KB] This online publication gives an overview of some key considerations a business should take into account in protecting their Intellectual Property (IP) when collaborating with others.
Licensing Intellectual Property [PDF 864KB]This toolkit aims to provide an overview of what an IP licence is, how you can commercialise Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and the various ways of strategising your IPRs. The toolkit sets out the reasons and benefits of licensing, the key terms of a licence and other important considerations.
Intellectual Property Assets for Charities [PDF 918KB] This toolkit provides an introductory look at intellectual property assets for charities.
Understanding and Protecting Your Start-Ups’ Intellectual Property Needs [PDF 551KB] This handout provides a practical, accessible overview of copyright, trade mark, patent, trade secret and design rights.
Computer Games and the Law [PDF 2,115KB] This set of power point slides focuses on the intellectual property law issues to keep in mind when making computer games.
The Legal Issues to Think About When Using Open-Source Software [PDF 1,079KB]This online publication provides tips for using open-source software.
Data Privacy – A Compact Guide for Start-ups [PDF 317KB]This guide takes start-ups and SMEs on a journey through dataland; helping them to understand how to comply with their data protection obligations.
The impact of the GDPR for start-ups: A UK perspective [PDF 737KB] This toolkit provides information on the impact of the General Data Protection Regulation on start-ups in the UK, detailing how start-ups can ensure compliance with the GDPR, the penalties for non-compliance and the effect of Brexit on data protection in the UK.
Data protection and the Law [PDF 2,277KB] A practical review of data protection law in the UK, with an emphasis on the role of the regulator.
Companies’ Directors and Founders [PDF 752KB] This online publication outlines the different types of directors, their roles and duties, as well as their various liabilities.
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace [PDF 653KB] It is inevitable to stumble upon AI in today’s modern environment. The technology can benefit our lives in many ways. This online publication will clarify how the technology impacts the workplace and what the legal concerns thereof are.
Intellectual Property Issues Related to 3D Printing [PDF 897KB]This online publication provides an explanation of the intersection between 3D printing and intellectual property law.
This online publication provides tips for using open-source software.
Introduction to Founders’ Agreement [PDF 564KB]This online publication provides an introduction to Founders’ Agreement, their importance, key provisions included in them, and how they can be used to attract investors.
Introduction to Supply Agreements [PDF 1,014KB]This online publication explains “supply agreements”. As the term would suggest, a supply agreement is an agreement between a supplier and a customer for the purchase of goods and/or services.
Introduction to Shareholder Agreements: [PDF 124KB]The functioning of a company depends on its financing. As a result, shareholders, as owners of shares in a company, help to fund companies when they buy and sell shares. To structure the relationship between shareholders and govern the management of the company, it is important to put in place a shareholder agreement.
Tips for Negotiation [PDF 879KB]This online publication explains the scenarios in which you will be negotiating as an entrepreneur and some tips you can consider to develop your skills as a negotiator.
Alternate Dispute Resolution [PDF 881KB]This online publication explains the scenarios in which you will be negotiating as an entrepreneur and some tips you can consider to develop your skills as a negotiator.
Protecting your start-up from a cyberattack [PDF 865KB] This online publication explains how a start-up can protect itself from a cyberattack.
Protecting my Start-up against Fraud [PDF 854KB]This online publication explains how you can protect yourself from different kinds of fraud.
Legal Impact of Computing [PDF 4,774KB]These slides focus on the data protection and intellectual property law issues that arise when bringing a business online.