The Essential Legal Checklist for New Businesses
You know there are things you need to sort when you start a business. Register with HMRC. Get insurance. Maybe some terms and conditions. But beyond that? It gets vague fast.
Most new businesses don't run into legal problems because they're careless. They run into problems because no one ever laid out what actually needs to be done, when it needs to be done by, and what happens if you skip it.
So people end up:
registering the business but never setting up proper terms
copying a privacy policy from someone else's site
assuming they'll "sort the legal stuff" once they're making money
working with clients on a handshake because it feels easier
or Googling "do I need business insurance?" at 11pm and getting more confused
This checklist exists to give you the full picture, clearly, in one place.
What's inside?
22 practical items covering the legal foundations every new business in England & Wales should have in place within 90 days of trading. Each one is prioritised so you know what to do first:
First 30 days - the legal non-negotiables. Do these before or as soon as you start trading.
By day 60 - not day-one essentials, but leaving them too long creates real risk.
By day 90 - the items that separate properly set-up businesses from everyone else.
It covers:
business structure and registration
intellectual property protection
contracts and customer terms
data protection and privacy
employment and working with others
tax and financial compliance
Every item includes a clear action line so you know what "done" looks like, plus "may not apply" notes where something isn't relevant to every business. No guessing. No overwhelm.
It also includes:
a "What to do next" guide based on your results
common mistakes we see (and how to avoid them)
clear warning signs that mean you need professional help now
Who is this for?
Anyone starting or recently started a business in England & Wales, including:
limited companies and LLPs
sole traders and freelancers
service providers, consultants, and coaches
e-commerce businesses and online sellers
If you're in your first year of trading or you've been going a while and never properly sorted the foundations this is for you.
What this is
✔ Legal education
✔ A prioritised, practical starting point
✔ Confidence that you haven't missed something critical
✖ Not legal advice
✖ Not bespoke drafting
✖ Not a replacement for a solicitor
This checklist helps you see what needs doing so you can get on with it or hand it to someone who can.
FAQs
Is this legal advice? No. This checklist provides legal education and information only. It does not constitute legal advice.
Is this specific to England and Wales? Yes. The legal requirements covered are based on the law of England and Wales.
I've already been trading for a while — is it still useful? Absolutely. Most of the businesses we work with have been going for months or years and still have gaps. This helps you find them.
What should I do after completing it? You'll know exactly where your gaps are, which ones are urgent, and what to prioritise next.
Do I need to complete every item? No. Some items won't apply to your business. The checklist tells you which ones to skip.
DISCLAIMER This checklist is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create a solicitor–client relationship. Laws and obligations vary depending on individual circumstances. If you require legal advice, you should seek advice from a qualified professional.