THIS new fortnightly advice column is addressed to all those hardened business people who know that entrepreneurial drive and gung ho gutsiness are not enough. Not even when these attributes are coupled to total faith in self-ability and product.

There are rules to the game of business. However determined, ambitious or even experienced you are, woe betide you if you don't stick to them.

And the game becomes all the more complex because as British governments or even ministers change, as the influence of Europe expands, as the nation becomes increasingly health and safety conscious, those rules are altering all the time.

There is so much for the business person to think about all at once, that if they discover that they have unwittingly transgressed the law, it can completely put them off their stride.

If there is any question you have involving commercial law, ask and I shall attempt to answer. Perhaps about your rights as a landlord or tenant? Or about the restrictions upon you or your rights as an employer? Problems with a supplier, creditor or customer? I'll do my best to give you a good outline answer.

All you have to do is write to me, Roger Taylor at Langleys Solicitors, Queens House, Micklegate, York, YO1 1JH, e.mail me at roger.taylor@langleys.co.uk or fax me at 01904 611086. Names and addresses will be treated in strict confidence, so no anonymous letters, please!

Meanwhile, to get those questions going, here are a few real-life conundrums I've come across...Q Someone wants to share the use of part of my business premises. Need I go to the expense of a lease?

A Yes. If a person, firm or company occupies premises for the purposes of a business, they are protected tenants and, in legal jargon a Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1954.In other words, you might not be able to get them out of your premises. You can ask the court to remove this protection if you and your tenant agree, but you should take advice before you let anyone in.Q I employed a new operator in my light engineering business. Despite warnings - I have kept a record of them - his work is not satisfactory. Can I sack him?

A Yes. If he has been with you for under two years except in certain specific circumstances, such as sacking him for criticising your health and safety policy or for trade union activity. I'm pleased that you've recognised the importance of keeping detailed personnel records and files, though before dismissing anyone it is always worth taking advice.Q I have my business accounts on a small personal computer. I include account details of customers, some of whom are individuals, others are companies. One of my individual customers wants to see the records I hold about him. What must I do?

A If you electronically process records about living people you must register under the Data Protection Act. If you receive a request from a data subject for a copy of the information you hold about them, you must respond within 40 days. You must provide a copy of any information that you hold and if you do not hold any, you must reply accordingly.Q A new employee is asking me for his contract of employment. What must we record between us?

A As a minimum, you should record brief details of the job, working hours, pay, holiday entitlement and disciplinary procedures. The document does not have to be long. A letter of appointment, signed by the employee, is sufficient.Q Office equipment that we bought using the company's own credit card keeps breaking down. As an individual I can claim against a credit card company, but can the company do so?

A Yes, but only if you used a credit card. If you used a charge card you are not protected under relevant legislationQ I have received notice of a creditors' meeting about one of our customers who owes me a little more than £3,000. I don't think I am going to get it back. What shall I do?

A Unfortunately you should have done it a long time ago! Your credit control has let you down. Basically, your customer is going to cease trading. Do not throw the notice away as you have a right to attend the creditors' meeting and to ask questions as to why your customer got into the position he did, and to vote on any possible appointment of a receiver or liquidator. If you don't want to go, speak to your solicitor. It could be to your advantage to join forces with other creditors to ensure the right appointment is made and to join votes to increase your influence.Now let's hear YOUR questions.* Roger Taylor is head of the commercial division of Langleys Solicitors, Queens House, Micklegate, York YO1 1JH.* While every endeavour is made to provide accurate information, the Evening Press cannot be held legally liable for the advice in this column.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.