Grid Law Solicitors is not your average law firm. It was set up with the sole intention of breaking the mould as to how people use and perceive solicitors. So far, we seem to be on the right track but don’t just take our word for it, next time you need a solicitor let us prove it!
Case studies
Rallye Sunseeker – reducing risks and potential liabilities
Rallye Sunseeker is the first round of the MSA British Rally Championship. The event sees rally crews from the UK, Ireland and Europe compete over numerous stages through the forests of Dorset.
Grid Law has been the official legal advisor to Rallye Sunseeker for the last five years and working with the organizing committee is an excellent example of the type of work Grid Law is involved with.
In the buildup to each event David Walker, a director of Grid Law, is in regular contact with the organisers and often attends planning meetings involving the various parties responsible for planning and running the rally. In addition, Grid Law prepares and advises on the contracts between the event and the various partners, including sponsors.
One of the attractions of events such as Rallye Sunseeker is that members of the public can get up close to the action. However, this has its dangers and having high performance rally cars competing so close to members of the public means that safety is taken extremely seriously. The event carries out risk assessments to ensure that potential risks are identified and then steps can be taken to minimize the chances of them occurring. Grid Law is always on hand to provide the necessary legal advice as and when necessary.
In addition to acting as the rally’s legal advisor, Grid Law is a regular special stage sponsor of the event. Commenting on Grid Law’s involvement, event director Rick Smith said “It is a pleasure to have Grid Law Solicitors involved with Rallye Sunseeker. The responsibilities on the organizers of events such as this increase year by year and it is essential to have someone on hand who understands both the law and how to apply it to our sport.”
Bournemouth University – bringing innovative products to market
Grid Law has developed a close working relationship with Bournemouth University and in particular its commercialisation department, which has a strong track record of bringing innovative consumer products to market.
Grid Law is involved at all stages of the commercialisation process. This includes reviewing projects to help identify any exploitable intellectual property rights and advising how they can be protected.
When the intellectual property has been protected, the routes to market can be considered. Depending on the circumstance assistance can then be given with the negotiation and preparation of licences with industrial partners or the formation of spin-out companies.
On a number of occasions, Bournemouth University’s products have been pirated and intellectual property rights infringed. Grid Law is then called upon to take action against the infringers to recover compensation for lost sales.
Commercialisation manager Geoff Bell said “David is an essential member of our commercialisation team. Recently he brought a successful claim against a major infringer of one of our graduate’s designs recovering several thousand pounds of damages for the University, the graduate and the company we had licensed the design to. We were thrilled with the result.”
Leon Camier – speed when it matters most
Grid Law and Leon Camier, the former British Superbike Champion and Suzuki World Superbike rider, have worked together for many years. At Grid Law we advise Leon and his management team on contractual matters and other legal issues they become involved with such as preventing unauthorised use of Leon’s image rights.
In business, contract negotiations can be sometimes be long and drawn out. However, in motor racing this is seldom the case and speed is essential so that opportunities are not lost. When an opportunity is presented it needs to be reviewed and acted upon fast. There is often no time for research or long deliberations and this is where industry knowledge and experience are essential. This is what Grid Law can bring to the table.
Talking about working with David, Leon said “The Legal Eagle is always there when I need him and pulls it out of the bag whenever it counts!”
Grid Law – a carbon zero company
We know that discussing the environment can be controversial. However, we are here to break the mould and stand up for what we believe is right. We have seen the arguments for and against climate change but in our minds it is quite simple. If we are damaging the environment through our activities then we have a responsibility to take positive action to stop this. If we are not, great, but there are other benefits to going carbon zero and if by doing so we can improve the quality of peoples’ lives then there is no reason not to do it.
Grid Law has been carbon zero for the last two years. This means that we reduce our carbon footprint as far as possible and thereafter participate in a carbon offsetting programme with CO2Balance.com.
When you become carbon zero through CO2Balance.com, you can choose which projects you support. We decided to support their energy efficient stoves project in Kenya as it provided a range of benefits, not just an environmental one.
Traditionally, families in Kenya cook on open fires which are not very efficient. By switching to energy efficient cooking stoves the families receive a range of benefits.
First of all, the amount of firewood used is reduced by a half and there is a corresponding reduction in the amount of greenhouse gases emitted.
Secondly, by using half the amount of fuel for their fires, the families can spend less on cooking fuel which helps reduce poverty.
Reducing the amount of fuel used also helps reduce the amount of deforestation taking place which consequently helps to improve the soil, water and bio-diversity.
Also, cooking on an open fire can cause respiratory problems due to smoke inhalation. For the families using the energy efficient stoves, these problems can be greatly reduced and overall health and quality of life can increase.
