Get all the legal support you need for your small business as you grow WITHOUT it costing a fortune and with support from the UK's leading small business lawyer, Suzanne Dibble LLB, CIPP/E
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If so, read on - it sounds like you need our help.
And then comes the feeling when that email comes in and we realise we're in trouble. Our palms start to sweat. Our heart starts to pound. The text becomes blurry...
The Cancellation of your Big Event
A business retreat has been planned, paid for and sold to 50 people. External world events have led to travel restrictions being imposed. Realisation sets in that the event needs to be cancelled and clients are going to need to be refunded. On asking the venue for a refund, they point to the contract that was signed and say that they have no obligation to refund....
The Mentoring Group Refund Request
Settling down with a cup of tea and reading morning emails, up pops an email from a group memer who has been unhappy that you aren't doing things a certain way. It seems that he has been rabble rousing and now has another 8 members on board, with a lawyer in the US who is threatening that if you don't refund all of them, they will launch a class action against you. A sick feeling sets in and your heart starts to pound. You realise you didn't have a contract in place outlining exactly what you would provide...
The Corporate Non-Payer
These stories are all too common - without the right legal support, you are risking everything. You know the intelligent thing to do is to find that legal support but the problem is that the legals don't normally feel important until it’s too late...
And when we are allocating funds, it’s tough to think of spending several thousands on a lawyer to draw up contracts when we could just download that one we found on Google right? The problem is that the document we found on Google isn’t going to provide the protection we need….
Introducing...
Get easy and quick answers to complex legal questions PLUS invaluable strategic guidance from a top UK business lawyer who understands the realities of running a small business
Depending on your membership level, you will gain access to our weekly Zoom surgeries, where Suzanne will herself answer all your legal questions and provide invaluable strategy guidance … Meaning quick, confident decisions to grow and safeguard your business, saving you time, money and stress.
Get access to up to 120+ professionally drafted, easy to understand and use legal document templates
Depending on your membership levels, you will have access to certain templates within our comprehensive template library. This means that as you grow your business and have need of new protections, you will always be able to access robust and professionally drafted legal documents, not having that last minute, panicked scramble to source appropriate templates (from dubious sources) or pay additional large amounts to lawyers for individual documents.
Be guided through all the vital legal protections you need
As part of the membership, we provide you with our Roadmap Course that guides you through the foundational legal protections you need to put into place to safeguard your business, giving you the confidence that everything is all in place and you are fully protected and peace of mind that your business is not at risk. Often you don't know exactly what you need to do to protect your business and be compliant - it's a huge and complex area and googling and trying to work it all out yourself is not a wise strategy. This is the easiest and most efficient way to be spoonfed how to be compliant and how to protect your business.
Save thousands on legal fees getting the important things in place
As part of the Roadmap Course, we direct you to our 10 vital legal courses that focus in on a vital area of legal protection or growth to ensure that key documents and protections are put in place in your business, such as our Trademark Course where we guide you to apply for a trademark, our Copyright Course where we guide you to put in place content protection and our Negotiation Course where we guide you through negotiation strategies. These courses are sold separately at £397 plus VAT, giving you a saving of £3970 plus VAT.
Stay up to date easily with monthly trainings and Q&As
Depending on your level of membership, you will either be invited to our live monthly legal training sessions and Q&As (with access to all previous recordings) OR you can view the recordings … This means you will always be up to date with key legal changes that affect your business in the easiest possible way - we do the heavy lifting so you don't have to.
Accountability to focus on the "important but not yet urgent" through our special software
Using our special software, you can easily link up with other members to carve out time to put not only legal protections in place, but also other 'important but not urgent' things, that very often get left until it is too late.
Network to collaborate, win clients, find suppliers and get support
Once a quarter, we come together on zoom and introduce our businesses and share our biggest wins. This is a really great way to get to know each other, spot collaboriations and deepen the relationships, so that members are willing to go that extra mile for you. Wine and crisps optional...
By Now, You’re Probably Wondering What It Costs to Become a Member …
All of these huge benefits at 30% off for our Masterclass special offer!
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Access to and license to use professionally drafted, watertight legal templates
- Access to and license to use Ask Suzanne, our specially trained AI software (see demo below)
- Legal surgeries with Suzanne to ask your individual questions of and learn from others
- Fully searchable recordings (by key word) of previous legal surgeries
- Live monthly legal update trainings and live Q&A with Suzanne
- Fully searchable recordings (by key word) of previous legal trainings
- Roadmap Course plus BONUS access to our 10 vital legal foundations courses
- Facebook group to connect with and be encouraged by other similar businesses
- Quarterly online networking to deepen connections, find suppliers and clients
- Free accountability and implementation software to ensure that you carve out time for the 'important but not urgent'
- Membership site and app so that you can learn and download templates on the go
- 5 star customer service to support you in getting the best out of the membership
Starter
£97
(IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY CLIENTS YET)
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
PAYABLE MONTHLY
£67.90
(30% off)
+VAT PER MONTH
OR £1097 £767.90 Pay in full
- 10 starter templates (inc client contract, privacy policy)
- additional £25+VATpm
- x
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- x
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- x
- x
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SOLO
£147
(if you have no EMPLOYEES)
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
PAYABLE MONTHLY
£95.90
(30% off)
+VAT PER MONTH
OR £1597 £1,117.90 Pay in full
- 90 templates (not including HR and H&S)
- additional £25+VATpm
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Our 3 x AI Legal Assistants for just a further £25 +VAT pm
Watch this demo video to meet them
- Ask Suzanne : Your legal questions answered 24/7.
- Call Suzanne : Yes! You can even call "AI Suzanne" 24/7!
- Searchie Suzanne: Find whatever you need inside our members area quickly and easily!
By Now, You’re Probably Wondering What It Costs to Become a Member …
All of these huge benefits at 30% off!
growing
(for employers)
£
193.90
+VAT PER MONTH
OR £2,237.90 Pay in full
- Access to and license to use professionally drafted, watertight legal templates
- ✔ (including HR and H&S)
- Access to and license to use Ask Suzanne, our specially trained AI software (see demo below)
- ✔
- Legal surgeries with Suzanne to ask your individual questions of and learn from others
- ✔
- Fully searchable recordings (by key word) of previous legal surgeries
- ✔
- Live monthly legal update trainings and live Q&A with Suzanne
- ✔
- Fully searchable recordings (by key word) of previous legal trainings
- ✔
- Roadmap Course plus BONUS access to our 10 vital legal foundations courses
- ✔
- Facebook group to connect with and be encouraged by other similar businesses
- ✔
- Quarterly online networking to deepen connections, find suppliers and clients
- ✔
- Free accountability and implementation software to ensure that you carve out time for the 'important but not urgent'
- ✔
- Membership site and app so that you can learn and download templates on the go
- ✔
- 5 star customer service to support you in getting the best out of the membership
- ✔
...who two days before her big event and launch of her new coaching programme received a Cease and Desist letter saying that she had to change the name of her event and coaching programme. The pressure of not knowing where to turn for help and deciding whether or not to cancel the event was enormous. If Janet had done one small check before naming her event, she would not have suffered in this way.
Don’t be like Emily...
...who signed up to an email services agreement without reading it or understanding it, that tied her in for three years and when, even though her email delivery rates had dropped through the floor, she was still obliged to pay for it for the next 2 and a half years. If Emily had understood just a few simple things about supplier contracts, she would not have found herself in such a mess.
...who had associate coaches working directly with her clients and suddenly she was receiving emails from clients giving notice on their contracts. When she looked into it, it was because the associate coach had offered to work directly with the clients for better rates. If Rachel had just added one clause to her associate contract, she wouldn’t have been struggling to save her business.
Suzanne has countless other stories of small business owners suffering, where it could so easily have been prevented with the right legal knowledge, resources and implementation.
See what our members have to say about Legal Buddy
Real life case studies from our members
Gospel Eadweardfilia
Gospel, a transformational holistic business practitioner, has dedicated her career to aiding those with invisible disabilities, chronic pain, or genetic conditions. By focusing on confidence-building and dismantling mental blocks, she assists them in launching their own businesses and leading self-sufficient lives.
The Challenge:
Gospel had taken the plunge with office space in October 2018. It was a ruse awakening in September 2022, when the property management company attempted to hike her rent by a staggering 125%.
Gospel calculated the implications and realised she had no option but to exit the lease. Unfortunately three-month's notice was required to terminate the contract, and that notice would've had to be given by June of that year. This meant that she would be bound by the agreement, along with the hefty increase, until June 2023.
Feeling trapped, yet sensing the unfairness of the situation, Gospel sought guidance through the Legal Buddy membership. Suzanne not only provided clarity on the terms of the contract but also supported Gospel in negotiations.
The Lifeline:
Suzanne decoded the confusing jargon of the contract for Gospel. More than just a short-term fix, Suzanne's guidance was a masterclass in negotiation—a skill Gospel could use for life. With Suzanne’s encouragement, Gospel summoned the courage to face the property management company, negotiating from the heart but backed up with legal knowledge that extended beyond the contract and managed to overturn the contractual terms.
The Triumph:
With Suzanne's guidance, for a mere £150, Gospel was set free from her old contract and the threat of the rent rise hanging over her. She soon found a new space at a rate she could afford. Gospel didn’t just save £1500; she gained an invaluable lesson and a strong belief in her own capabilities in negotiation.
The Lesson:
Gospel's story isn’t just about facing a business challenge—it's about resilience, seeking help when the waters get rough, and of the power of community. It’s a reminder for all small business owners: you're not alone in your journey, and when faced with challenges, remember that there's always a way through, with the support of an expert. Always seek guidance, always negotiate, and always believe in your own power - no matter who you're up against.
Real life case studies from our members
Anthony Zieseniss
With the rapid rise of digital products, business owners are often faced with customers not understanding their rights when it comes to refunds and cancellations. Such scenarios can escalate into more serious disputes if not handled appropriately and quickly. Anthony's experience illustrates the importance of not only having well-defined, accessible and incorporated terms and conditions, but also actually understanding them to get a quick and effective resolution.
The situation:
A client purchased a digital download product from the business, and shortly after the purchase, she emailed them, asking for a refund. She completed a cancellation form for a 14-day 'cooling off' refund and was quite aggressive in her communication.
The challenge:
The client's behaviour was confrontational, and the refund request seemed unwarranted. The business needed to address the issue professionally without succumbing to the client's aggressive demands.
The lifeline:
The business had recently updated the terms and conditions on their site as per Suzanne’s guidance. These terms were explicitly linked to during the order process, and the client had confirmed acceptance of the terms by ticking a checkbox. The terms clearly stated that the customer acknowledged that the provision of digital downloads could start immediately and that they would lose their cancellation rights for digital downloads.
Feeling confident in it's robust, professionally drafted terms from Legal Buddy and knowledge gained from Legal Buddy trainings, Anthony referred the client to the relevant clause in their terms, confidently explaining the situation, and making it clear that she was not eligible for a refund - all in a firm but fair manner, maintaining his professional reputation whilst not giving away money that he didn't need to.
The triumph:
The client withdrew her refund request without any fuss, and the matter was resolved without any further action. Anthony commented that prior to Suzanne's help he would have stressed about it for days and then likely given a refund. Instead it was dealt with calmly, confidently and in a matter of minutes.
The lesson:
This case not only highlights the importance of having the terms and conditions incorporated (in this case by the link and the tick box on the check out page) but also the importance of actually understanding the law around your terms so that you are confident in your dealings with your customers. This can not only protect business interests but also can foster positive client relationships.
Real life case studies from our members
Alison Haill
Why you're in the safest of hands with Suzanne by your side
Hi, I’m Suzanne Dibble, a business lawyer and business owner and I specialise in helping small business owners, not only with legal issues that arise but more importantly putting legal compliance and protections in place.
Prior to doing that, I worked with legendary entrepreneurs such as Richard Branson and at the world’s largest law firm, DLA Piper, working on multi-million pound global mergers and acquisitions.
I’ve also been a board director of a £150m+ business, which led to me being listed in the Who’s Who of Britain’s Business Elite two years in a row.
In 2010, I set up my own legal practice and then passive income business, and as a result, I’m totally commercial-minded and entrepreneurial in my outlook (which is a bit of a rarity for us solicitors).
In 2014, I set up my first mastermind group for business owners where I shared my business expertise in helping them to grow their own businesses and in 2016 partnered with Dr Joanna Martin to bring our exclusive Empress mastermind to female entrepreneurs.
I’ve also been a board director of a £150m+ business, which led to me being listed in the Who’s Who of Britain’s Business Elite two years in a row.
In 2010, I set up my own legal practice and then passive income business, and as a result, I’m totally commercial-minded and entrepreneurial in my outlook (which is a bit of a rarity for us solicitors).
In 2014, I set up my first mastermind group for business owners where I shared my business expertise in helping them to grow their own businesses and in 2016 partnered with Dr Joanna Martin to bring our exclusive Empress mastermind to female entrepreneurs.
What really sets me apart from other lawyers is not just my second to none legal training and experience, but my first hand experience of running a small business. I am not a lawyer who sits in an ivory tower spouting what the law says...
I'm all about focusing on and teaching you about the bits of the law that are actually relevant for your business.
You don't want to be a legal expert, you just want to know the basics in the areas where there is the most risk and then have an affordable expert on hand when you need them.
I have helped tens of thousands of small businesses to:
Understand the risks involved and carry out a risk analysis as to the best course of action for their business - what is right for one business might not be right for another
My ultimate goal is to help you to understand the legal fundamentals, to put solid foundations in place and to be here for you as your guide so that you don't have to suffer legal problems derailing your business
My membership has been heralded by the SRA and the Legal Services Board as 'pioneering’. It also won a Law Society Award.
I'm thrilled that with Legal Buddy we are able to help small businesses in such an impactful way...
Legal Buddy Membership Empowers You With the Expert Guidance You Need … To Handle Any Issue Your Business Is Facing - Calmly and With Confidence
So rather than sleepless nights and wondering which way to turn, wouldn't you rather have:
....peace of mind that you're complying with all relevant laws and won't get fined (ignorance is not a defence...)
....confidence that your contracts are watertight so that you know you will get paid and won't need to give out unnecessary refund requests...
...reassurance that you are complying with all relevant words and won't get into trouble....
...pride as you see your business growing on solid foundations...
....security that everything is protected and won't come crashing down, even in the time of recession...
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I join and find the Legal Buddy membership isn’t right for my business?
If, after joining, you decide that the membership isn’t right for your type of business, just let us know within 30 days of your purchase, and if we agree that it isn't right for your type of business (eg we don't have templates that are suitable for your business), we'll refund 100% of your investment.
Do I need to attend all of the surgeries?
Absolutely not. Attend as many or as few of the surgeries as you need to feel confident that your business is legally protected and that you have the answers to any pressing questions. Even if you don't have your own question to ask, it's enormously valuable to listen to other similar business owners' questions and learn from that. All of the surgeries are available on replay the following day and you can search across all of our surgeries for key words, quickly finding the relevant sections.
I don’t use Facebook, will I still be getting value from the membership?
Of course! The weekly surgeries take place on Zoom. That’s where you will have access to me and my team of carefully selected legal experts. All of our live sessions take place on Zoom and the recordings are available inside the membership site. You will also benefit from all of the back catalogue of 100s of trainings and of course our extensive template library and our AI tools (in the membership site).
I’m a current standard member of the Small Business Legal Academy, how is Legal Buddy different?
If you have had access to our templates and other DIY resources such as video guides, checklists and other materials, this is the perfect add on for those of you to take steps to put all of your vital legal foundations in place and (depending on your level of membership) have access to Suzanne to ask your individual questions.
Does the membership include access to the legal templates?
YES! Depending on your level of membership, you will either be able to access ALL of our 120+ legal document templates (including HR and H&S) or ALL 90+ legal document templates (just not the ones related to HR or H&S). You are licensed to use the documents for as long as you are a member (but if you have a contract in place eg with a client, that can remain in place for the duration of that contract). A list of all of the documents can be seen at https://smallbusinesslegalacademy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/List-of-Legal-Buddy-Templates-1.pdf
When do I get access to the membership?
Once you complete your purchase, you’ll get an email with your login link for immediate access to our membership portal and (depending on your membership level) to the Facebook group!
How long do I have access to everything?
You have access to all of the benefits for as long as you are a paying member of Legal Buddy.
Am I tied in for any period?
This is an annual membership so that we can make all of our hugely valuable resources available to you on day 1 of your membership. You can pay monthly to spread the cost of the membership.
What types of businesses is this membership for?
If you have a service based business selling online this is perfect for you. A coach, a consultant, a membership site owner, an online course creator, a speaker, a trainer, a designer, a creative, a VA, a book keeper, a therapist, a fitness professional, any kind of expert - then this membership is perfect for you. Saying that, if you sell products online, this will also be very helpful for you.
Can I share the membership with my business partner?
Yes! If the membership has been purchased by your business then either you or your business partner (or both of you) can attend the surgeries, the training sessions, the implementation sprints and access the membership site.
Is this membership suitable for people outside of the UK?
If you are in Scotland, then our business laws are practically identical so this is absolutely suitable for you. If you’re outside of the UK but have a UK client base, this will also be very useful for you.
Is Suzanne acting as my lawyer as part of the membership?
No, Suzanne is not acting as your lawyer. Suzanne rarely provides one to one legal consultancy these days and if she does it will be through a separate entity.
Can I ask questions on behalf of my clients?
No, you can only ask questions and obtain support for your business. But by all means tell all your clients about the membership and encourage them to join! You may even want to join as an affiliate to earn a reward when your clients sign up through your unique link. Just email support@suzannedibble.com to express your interest in being an affiliate.
Can I share the details of the membership with my business pals?
Absolutely! We have an affiliate scheme that you can sign up to - just email support@suzannedibble.com and my affiliate manager will help you out.
Have another question that we haven't covered above?
Email our friendly support team at support@suzannedibble.com
Not convinced? Don’t just take it from me...
Kris Thorne
“Highly recommend! When I started I wanted to get my client contracts and website documents in place and protect my IP. I have done that and so much more - I have a level of understanding that has far exceeded my hopes. Suzanne takes something complex and daunting and makes it simple and easy to understand. There's as much learning in the Q&A as there is in the content. I now understand the purpose of the clauses and what they mean in context and have the confidence to negotiate them as well. I feel set up for success in multiple areas of my business - dealing with vendors, taking on associates, offering online programs, negotiating B2B contracts. It's an absolute goldmine of resources and support which you'll be glad to have to avoid any expensive legal headaches."
Lindsay Cressey
“Suzanne has played a key part at the start of my entrepreneurial journey; it's rare to find a lawyer who also runs an entrepreneurial business and so who has depth of legal experience plus insight into the everyday joys and agonies of running a business. I have gained access not only to an extensive and comprehensive legal template library covering all aspects of small businesses, but also Suzanne's fun and straightforward teachings which give great depth of understanding and how to implement these documents. I was looking to have all the necessary legal documents in place before I started trading; now I'm ready to start trading, confident that I have myself and my business in the best legal shape going forward. Suzanne makes the legal side of your business accessible, understandable and even fun!"
"Suzanne’s legal knowledge and templates has actually, I believe, saved my business."
Karen Haller
Karen Haller Colour & Design Consultancy and author of the Little Book of Colour
"I realized as my business was growing that guessing what needed to be in my contracts was no longer a great idea.”
"Suzanne has excelled herself with a comprehensive and easy to follow programme that is equally as relevant to start ups as it is to established businesses."
Sam Willoughby
Founder of What's on 4 and the Children's Activities Association
Anna Louise Cowgill
“This membership is a must for anyone with a small business. Suzanne teaches you everything you need to make sure you have the right legal protections in place to protect it. Not only that she walks you through how to implement them step by step and answers all of your questions. It is great motivation and will give you confidence in negotiations and peace of mind that you are properly protected. You will have peace of mind that your business is properly protected and you will have greater confidence to negotiate your future contracts."
Nadine Peatfield
Founder
Lots for Tots
“I had a Copyright issue where a competitor was using my material on their Facebook page. It looked likely that they would also publish my material. As a member of Suzanne’s membership, it was so easy to know what to do. I adapted a template letter and sent it off and within 48 hours the material was removed from the offending Facebook page.
I have also used the template Cease and Desist Letter to successfully deter two businesses from using my business name.”
Karen Hooton
Amie Crews
“I find the Facebook group an invaluable support and enjoy being able to interact with Suzanne and other members in such an instant way. As most of us work on-line all day against tight deadlines, getting such quick responses is a real plus point. It is also very useful to see other businesses legal queries and the resulting guidance as often it can apply to my business too or arms me with the knowledge should there be a time in the future I find myself in a similar situation.
I love the sense of business community the Facebook group gives me, knowing there are other small business owners out there with similar queries or dilemmas to myself. Lastly but not least, having direct access to Suzanne’s immense knowledge and her straight forward way of explaining the legal world has added real value to my business and given me the confidence to implement policies and tackle long overdue projects."
Katie Murphy
Founder
Baby & More
Melanie Coeshott
“Comprehensive, thorough and practical way to not only learn about the key legal requirements and implications, but combined with simple ways to implement them."
Anne Welsh
“I would recommend Suzanne Dibble to anyone. Lots of people will sell you legal documents or courses on how to prepare them. Suzanne does that but she and her team also get you thinking about how to operate your own business in a way that works for you, your clients and, of course, the law. It's the best way to not only know what you are doing legally, but why you are doing it."
Dr Alison Grimston
"What Suzanne helps with is way beyond going out there and finding some die-cut templates. Frankly, it's like chalk and cheese in terms of the support you get and the quality of the templates."
Paul Jenkins
founder of
Brillianto
"What Suzanne offers is always amazing value for money – it’s a no-brainer. The fact that Suzanne has such an excellent reputation means that I know that the programme is ‘major’ outstanding value. I recommend everything she does to all of my business contacts."
Amanda Fitzgerald
founder of
Amanda Fitzgerald PR
"I genuinely cannot tell you how much stress Suzanne has relieved from me. As small business owners, we want to get it right. Suzanne takes away the headache, the worry, the uncertainty out of it, in what I can only describe as a beautifully simple process."
Sonia Gill
founder of
Heads Up Limited
Helen Errington
“What a fabulous experience. Suzanne patiently guides you to not only prepare the right legal documents for your business and its activities, but also ensures that you understand what each means and why you need it.
Carolyn Boddington
“ It’s a very supportive community. And a very intelligent group that asks great questions. It’s a pleasure to learn from the challenges/scenarios others have in diverse businesses to mine. It is hard to put a value on what having access to a professional legal infrastructure and a legal expert to answer my questions is for a business of my size. Suffice to say Suzanne has provided at least 1000x value for my investment and I will be forever grateful. I go forward safe in the knowledge that I am as protected as I can be. It would have been years before I could have afforded the legal infrastructure I have put in place thanks to Suzanne, if I would have ever actually done it. Thank you so much Suzanne."
Jo Manton
“This gives you the courage and confidence that you're running your business in the right way! Whenever I needed to reach out to the support team, I got a prompt - and helpful - response. Benefits-wise I got my IP assigned straight-away from my graphic designer, updated my website terms of use, privacy and cookie notice, and reviewed my existing Associate Agreements to make sure they were legally compliant. I also really appreciated virtually meeting other business owners in different stages of business and learning from their challenges!"
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DISCLAIMER: Your orders are subject to our Terms of Business. The Academy and related templates and other materials do not entail “legal advice” as it includes template documents, training sessions and guidance and as such is not regulated by the SRA. Suzanne is not acting as your solicitor and cannot provide you with any bespoke advice as part of the Academy but if you require such legal advice, please contact Suzanne and such work shall be provided through Suzanne’s regulated law firm Virtual Lawyers Ltd, after a quote has been provided and agreed. The templates and other materials are subject to and based on English law. You can view our Privacy Notice here.