16 Dec Business Support and Legal Advice

As part of our ongoing support with businesses based at the FC Designer Workspace FEL has discussed the principles of contract law; offers, acceptance and considerations, and stressed the importance of clear communication and terms and conditions evidence trails. 

The designers did not know that by verbally agreeing to undertake a course of action that this is a legally binding contract. It is obviously easier to verify a contract if there are written details of T’s & C’s and warranties with signatures and dates, however, a verbal agreement is legally binding if their offer was accepted and in exchange for goods or services.

We also discussed the tort of negligence, whereby the designer has to prove that there is a duty of care, that there is then a breach of that duty of care and as a direct result of that breach damages occurred. To put this into perspective we discussed a garment that may have a shard of metal in the neck of a t-shirt and as a direct result of wearing that T-shirt the shard of metal grazed the consumers face and a cut occurred. This would represent negligence but it’s also an infringement of the updated Consumer Act 2019 whereby garments should be of merchantable quality and fit for purpose intended. 

Whilst today we provided the basics of legal contracts we have now introduced Nick Gould, our legal eagle expert to support the designers accordingly. Nick has worked with a wide range of clients including sole traders /start-ups, and large UK companies as well as overseas lawyers and their own clients.

Nick is able to support with:

• A wide range of corporate and commercial business law advice and assistance; includes, buying, selling, investing in, financing and restructuring UK companies; joint ventures and shareholder agreements and related matters.
• General legal and common-sense advice to directors on their duties and liabilities, including corporate governance; and shareholders on their rights.
• Excellent contacts with lawyers in many countries across much of the world.

Some recommendations from his clients:

“I have worked with Nick for some time now and between myself and my team we find his experience, contacts & diligence second to none. The scary thing for me with Lawyers are big bills you don’t control, this is not the case working with Nick. Not only does he allow and mentor my team to help themselves on legal matters he is very up front about what always reasonable costs. I also find his extended network of experts outstanding.”

“I’ve worked with Nick for a number of years now, he has assisted us in a number of different areas across the business. His advice is not only practical, but straightforward (and often simplifies some of the previous work we’ve had done). Unlike others he also understands the need for quick turnarounds that SMEs often require.”

And finally, from one of Nick’s sub postmaster clients:

“I have known Nick Gould for over five years. I witnessed his dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment. In 2020/21 relating to the Post Office Scandal, Nick played an instrumental role in our small group’s efforts during the Court of Appeal process where we had our conviction overturned. Along with the other two members, Nick tirelessly worked to ensure that our case was presented effectively and efficiently and pro bono.”

Nick’s contact and other details are as below:

Nick Gould

Partner

Aria Grace Law CIC

+972 (0)54 818 4994

Nick.Gould@aria-grace.com

www.aria-grace.com