Ok, not the sexiest of subjects but fundamentally important to the health of your business.

Failing to ensure your business is legally compliant could result in costly litigation and significant disruption to your studio.

The first step is to be aware of what your legal requirements are. The second is to get them in place. These are both areas we can help you on, saving you valuable time, money and sleepless nights.

Got the right employment contracts in place for your permanent staff and freelancers?

Unsure if you’re meeting your legal requirements as an employer?

Reviewing your terms and conditions and need an expert opinion?

Our legal package of informative guides, contracts, templates and help lines are there to assist you with all of the above and a whole lot more including intellectual property rights, HR issues such as maternity and paternity leave and commercial law.

The DBA solicitors, who are highly experienced in design law, are only a phone call away giving you free support at times when you most need it. Additionally, they will arrange to visit your premises and perform a health-check on your terms of business, free of charge to identify strengths and also areas that need more work!

Sorted out your terms of business, but now facing client pressure?

If you’ve inadvertently signed away your design rights through lobotomy clauses or are continually faced with restrictive or anti-competitive contracts, our solicitors can help here too.

Benefit by joining the DBA

More useful 'Little Pointers' for design business success

So who are we and how do you join?

The Design Business Association (DBA) is the trade association for the UK’s internationally acclaimed design industry.

No other country has the strength in depth offered by UK design businesses and the DBA represents over 360 of these leading design consultancies from small specialist firms, to large international communications agencies. Our members are not only a varied lot, but are also based up and down the country, with over 50% sitting outside of London.

DBA membership has doubled in just the last two years alone, enabling us to offer an ever-greater range of advice, services and activities which will save you valuable time and money in ensuring your business is running successfully and profitably.

As we celebrate our 21st anniversary, there has never been a better time to join the DBA and to get involved.

We're looking for consultancies with drive, ambition and a dedication to improving their business performance. You'll also have an interest in the health and future of the UK design industry and understand that the greatest strength is in numbers.

Fit the profile? Join us now

Take a look at the full range of membership benefits and download an application form by clicking here.

We'd be happy to discuss how the DBA can best support your business, so please do give the membership team a call on 020 7251 9229 or email membership@dba.org.uk