Business ownership and management

While poor governance can bring serious legal consequences, the law can also protect business owners and managers and help to prevent conflict.

Administering a business can be a complex and thankless task, but in a well-managed business company admin and paperwork happen without fuss.

The board of directors are responsible for managing a company. As well as looking after corporate governance, they help take the business forward.

Your company articles of association usually set out shareholders' rights. You can use a separate shareholders agreement to cover other key issues.

Disputes between shareholders, directors and business partners can arise for many reasons, from conflicts of interest to poor personal relationships.

Building a family business and passing it on to your children can be enormously rewarding, but may present ownership and management challenges.

As well as general company admin, directors are ultimately responsible for ensuring the company complies with the law, including the Companies Acts.

How to appoint a board of directors with the skills and experience needed to help guide your business and how to organise board meetings.

Company directors have wide powers to help them promote the success of their business - and face strict penalties if they abuse them. Our overview.

Successful businesses use board meetings to create and improve key strategies. Our guide to preparing for, running and following up board meetings.

Company secretaries share legal responsibilities with directors for a business under the Companies Act. Our guide to the main duties of the role.

Running a family business brings additional challenges and opportunities. The law can help to reduce risk of things going wrong

Boardroom and shareholder disputes can arise for many reasons. Understanding the legal rights of everyone involved and the options available.

Directors' duties when running a company can include appointing a chairperson, calling a directors’ meeting and holding a board meeting.

New directors are likely to require some key information and training when they are first appointed, including on their role and responsibilities.

Community organisations have many of the same legal responsibilities as businesses run for profit. How to stay on the right side of the law.