The legal needs of small businesses: an analysis of small businesses’ experience of legal problems, capacity and attitudes

Abstract

This report, commissioned by the LSB, presents new empirical evidence on small businesses’ experiences of legal problems and their strategies and actions in dealing with these problems in 2015. It follows on from a baseline study conducted on behalf of the LSB in 2013. • The new data comprises an online survey conducted by YouGov of 10,528 individuals in small, private sector businesses and not-for-profit organisations, employing fewer than 50 people. The survey was conducted in March 2015. • The sample included businesses across the full size range from 1 worker to 49, and businesses in all major sectors of the UK economy. • Results have been weighted to reflect the composition of the UK small business population by size and sector. The business population is skewed towards the small end of the size spectrum; the weightings reflect this, with three quarters of weighted sample firms being 1-person operations. To undertake comparisons, the 2013 survey data have been reweighted according to the same principles. • The 10,528 sample included 1,463 individuals who were interviewed in 2013, allowing a panel, time-series analysis.