With new rules and regulations being introduced all the time, keeping in touch and up-to-date with all the bureaucracy and red tape is no easy task.

Take October 2004 for example. A whole raft of new laws came into force (over 200 changes were made to existing regulations) and for a busy florist, finding the time to learn all about them simply isn't possible.

Whether it's employment law, disability law, data protection, identity theft or whatever, businesses have an obligation to ensure they trade in accordance with the latest rules and as such you can't afford to be behind the times. At the end of the day, it's your livelihood that's at stake.

Over the coming months in this section you can find out:

• When new laws come into force and what they mean for you
• How to deal with everyday legal issues so that you remain legal and above board
• How various laws affect the way you trade on a daily basis
• The basics of employment law
• What rights you and your staff have in the workplace