Contractors' Questions: Do sole traders have duties?

Contractor's Question : If I opt to become a sole trader for my Plan B, are there any legal requirements for certain information, such as address, to be clearly displayed (e.g. on stationery or my website)? Or when trading under your own name, is it acceptable to only input such details on invoices, and keep phone and email details just on business cards and my website? I don't want to get in trouble, or fined, for not complying with any rules. Are there any other legal obligations that I haven't mentioned which I must fulfil as a sole trader?

Expert's Answer : As a sole trader your invoices must contain the name of the business i.e. in this case your name and an address where any legal documents can be delivered to you. Also if you are VAT-registered then you must show your VAT registration number. The only restrictions or requirements in relation to business cards or stationery are that if you trade under a business name other than your own, then you must include your name and address.

As for the website, this very much depends upon exactly what is on your website. If it is literally just an advert for you with some contact details then email address and phone number is sufficient. If, however, you are selling goods or services from that site then there are additional considerations under the Distance Selling Regulations and the E-commerce Regulations. Basically you will need to provide the business name (your name in this case), address and VAT registration number if applicable.

From a practical point of view, I would advise including an address on your stationery/ business cards. It may make prospective customers feel more at ease with who they are dealing with as they have full contact details for you.

The expert was Ben Evans, trainee solicitor at Lawdit Solicitors .