The Base Legal Blog

You’ve decided to create an online market place to connect consumers with service providers.  This means, essentially you are acting as a middle man.  That’s great, but the fact that your service is connecting people doesn’t mean it is all care and no responsibility. There are several legal documents you will need for legal protection.…

While every business is different, as a lawyer I would always recommend you consider having terms and conditions, a contract or agreement for your business’s products or services,  with the other people that you work with, your customers or suppliers. Here are the reasons why you have terms and conditions in your business, regardless of…

In my work with small businesses, I’m often asked to advise clients if they should hire an employee or engage a sub-contractor when their business is at a stage of bringing someone else on. And it is really important to get legal advice on employees and subcontractors and how the law works. Basically, it’s not…

I’m often asked by clients, how you can share your intellectual property (IP), but also have some restrictions around what people can and can’t do with it. This question arises from clients who are looking to run courses – both online or physical but it can also apply to people who want to share some…

A contract should be a clear legal document that sets out your rights and responsibilities and that can protect you if things go awry. Here are my tips on what contracts, of any sort, should include. Identify the parties. Contracts should clearly identify who is involved.  It is important that a company is identified by…

When considering taking the plunge and starting your own business, it’s really important that you consider how the business will be set up. Making this decision first will allow for consistent business decision making into the future. Here are my top 5 tips to help you consider your options  Tip 1 – Everybody is Different…

Far too often I find myself advising clients that are chasing debts owed to them for goods sold or services provided. This is an unfortunate situation that none of us want to find ourselves in.  Most times with small business it is not economical or financially viable to pursue these debts. Here are my top…

A lot of the starts-ups that I work with, especially the technology start-ups, are doing something completely different with their business. This might be operating a traditional business in a new way – such as myself, offering online Legal Services at a fixed fee – or it could be doing something completely new. I spend…

I am blessed to be able to work with a lot of creative individuals – designers, developers, photographers. The protection of their copyright is probably the most significant concern that ‘creatives’ approach me with to discuss. Even more than making sure they get paid. On the flip side, I also have conscientious clients that ask…

Internet security is becoming increasingly topical and is at the forefront of conversation in the business community. There have been large companies subject to internet security risks and has either been hacked or had personal information stolen or leaked. Small businesses have also been targeted and have had their business information held for ransom. The…