E-commerce 

The internet is well known as one of the fastest, most exciting, and one of the most potentially lucrative ways of establishing a business. While E-commerce avoids many of the problems associated with traditional businesses, such as health and safety of customers, theft from the store, or even possibly rent or other property related issues, there still remains some legal matters common to some businesses, and some unique to on-line companies. A general solicitor might be able to provide useful advice on employing staff, taxation, insurance or sale of goods legislation. 

You should try to find a solicitor who not only has experience of working with internet companies, but preferably with your own type of E-commerce business. This will give them a broad understanding of your business needs, and enable them to suggest potential problems that you might not have considered (e.g. there are very specific laws pertaining to gaming or adult sites). Other problems are likely to be common to all E-commerce companies, one of the most significant being on-line security, and ensuring that customer payment information, as well as your own banking information is secure, along with what to do in the event of a breach. E-commerce companies are also increasingly affected by privacy issues, particularly as technology is being increasingly used as a basis of E-commerce companies' ability to match their product to their customers' needs. Legal advice is also often required for disputes relating to intellectual property used in the design of the website, which can be general, such as the copyright of images, or might relate to patents used in web applications.