‘Social enterprise guide: Legal issues to consider when setting up a social enterprise’, Justice Connect

This tailored guide developed by registered charity Justice Connect, helps social enterprises navigate legal and regulatory requirements throughout their lifecycle. It emphasises the importance of appropriate legal structures and governance models to support their mission and business model. This guide:

• Explores distinct attributes of social enterprises and their core characteristics
• Outlines startup considerations: planning, impact measurement, funding, and legal structures 
• Explains legal structures: for-profit, not-for-profit, and hybrid models
• Details setup processes: board formation, membership, governing documents, charity/tax registration
• Addresses operational issues: insurance, employment, safety, record-keeping, IP, events, privacy
• Covers ongoing governance and compliance requirements
• Discusses managing changes and potential problems