Unfortunately – the law of averages says it won’t be a good year for all of us. In fact, at Woolley & Co we know from experience that holiday time and especially the Christmas and New Year break can often add additional pressures on failing relationships. And if you are in business problems at home can rapidly reach over to impact on your business affairs too.

This month we look at the affect that divorce can have on your business and how you can prepare yourself if the worse happens and we provide a ‘9-point guide’ on what to include in the agreement you have with your website host.

We welcome your feedback – if there is any particular legal issue you’d like to see covered send the details through to marketing@e-lawfirm.co.uk.

But if things start to go wrong at home all of this could be in jeopardy, and not just because of the emotional strain experienced.

The first time some business owners realise the full implications is when their spouse’s solicitors arrange for a business valuer to call in order to put a price on the business as a ‘going concern’. Owner managers often come to us and say ‘they can’t do that can they’? ‘They’ve never even set foot in the place, never wanted anything to do with the business.’ Unfortunately they are wrong.

We have to explain that their business will be regarded by the divorce court as a matrimonial asset, to be thrown into the scales along with the house, savings and investments and their pension fund.

Woolley & Co recommend business owners take expert advice and help from lawyers who understand business as well as understanding divorce law. It is much better to be prepared and forewarned, and much easier if you think ahead. Make sure you understand the consequences for yourself and your business before you start negotiations or divorce proceedings.

For a free Fact Sheet on the implications of divorce email info@business-lawfirm.co.uk.

1. Amount of storage space, bandwidth and provision for scaling up
2. The availability of the system (24/7?) and downtime for maintenance
3. Security for data processing
4. A confidentiality clause
5. The procedure to be adopted if an allegation is made that there is defamatory (or other unacceptable) content on the site. (It appears it will be a defence to such claims to have a system in place and move quickly to remove the offending material)
6. Security, passwords and procedures for uploading material
7. An indemnity for claims against you if their provision or lack of it causes claims against you (e.g. downtime causes an advertiser to request money back)
8. Assistance on transfer of materials/info/software, codes etc on termination
9. An indemnity from them in case they use software, which is not licensed to them.

Woolley & Co is experienced in drafting plain English web hosting agreements – call us to discuss your requirements on 01789 267377 or email Andrew Woolley – aw@e-lawfirm.co.uk.

To find out more about these and other legal issues visit the Woolley & Co website at www.e-lawfirm.co.uk.

The Woolley & Co E-Zine is sent monthly to subscribers. Feel free to pass on to friends and colleagues. To subscribe, click here.

This E-Zine is mailed to subscribers monthly. If it has been sent to you in error we apologise, if you wish to unsubscribe to the Woolley & Co E-Zine click here.