Introduction When we think of the intersection of law and language, most of us reflect on the linguistic sides of the issue, such as: questions about why law-makers use certain words as opposed to others, queries about ‘legalese’, and problems of misunderstanding, interpretation and translation. Rarely do we spend much time considering the possibility that […]
How to Avoid Your Day in Court
When people think of needing legal help, they often think of lawyers, court forms, and court rooms. As those who have been there already know, it isn’t nearly as glamorous as it seems on television, and quite to the contrary, it can be quite scary. The good news is that not every legal issue has […]
Food Safety in Canada – A Balancing Act?
In 1967, Pierre Trudeau famously stated that the Canadian government has no place in the bedrooms of the nation. What he didn’t comment upon was whether the government had a place in our kitchens. It did – and it still does. Although most of us rarely think of the federal government when we sit down […]
Mistake #5 in Starting a Small Business: Not Getting a Lawyer for your Business
Continued from Mistake #4: Not Being Adequately Insured Mistake #5. Not Getting a Lawyer for your Business As the owner of a business, you would likely never try to do all of your own accounting, computer support, and cleaning – you would probably hire someone. After all, you are there to run the business part […]
Mistake #4 in Starting a Small Business: Not Being Adequately Insured
Continued from Mistake #3: The Contents of Leases Mistake #4. Not Being Adequately Insured New businesses often have insufficient insurance. In deciding what kind and how much insurance to secure, a new business owner should carefully examine the needs of the business. Here is a summary of the most common forms of insurance coverage. Property […]
Mistake #3 in Starting a Small Business: The Contents of Leases
Continued from Mistake #2: Not Having an Operating Agreement (Partnerships and Corporations) Mistake #3. The Contents of Leases When you start a small business, you will need to consider where that business will be located. If your business is not a home-based one, this may be the first time you have had to deal with […]
Mistake #2 in Starting a Small Business: Not Having an Operating Agreement
Continued from Mistake #1: Choosing the Wrong Ownership Mistake #2. Not Having an Operating Agreement (Partnerships and Corporations) An “Operating Agreement” is a contract between the founders of the business. This includes people involved in the management, people who provide capital, and people who do both. This agreement sets out operative issues in advance such […]
Top 5 Legal Mistakes in Starting a Small Business
So you want to start a small business? You have your business plan at the ready, you can get a start-up loan with an interest rate that is at an all-time low, and your determination is at an all-time high. You are ready to go. Ironically, now – during this flurry of energy, excitement, and […]