Teaching The Leopard To Change Its Stripes

Jennie Vickers began her legal career in London, working for one of the world’s most prestigious law firms. Focusing on commercial business work, she spent a number of years as an in-house lawyer really getting to understand business drivers. After moving to New Zealand, Jennie used her time in law firms and in-house experience to set up a law firm better suited to the digital age.

Credit Where It's Due

Sitting at a conference last month I was blown away by the range of first class infographics and designs being used in presentations.  What also struck me was how few revealed the name of the designers and authors, which made it difficult to run off and commission something as awesome for myself!  If you are that designer or creator it could impact your morale (and pocket) knowing that business opportunities were passing you by unbeknownst.

The beginning of a new year is a great time to check a few protocols and practices around the office to ensure you start off doing the right thing.  Today’s right thing to check is whether you are respecting “Moral Rights” or causing a morale problem.

The Point of No Return - When Does Chat Turn Into a Contract?

One of my spare time hobbies is Kayak Fishing.  In my imagination I haul in large Snapper every time I go out.  In reality I am pretty adept at dragging in big clumps of seaweed.  Part of the excitement when the rod bends, is not knowing what you might bring on board.   This uncertainty is part of the thrill of fishing, but not a great idea in business and in the business of forming contracts.

Can You Avoid The Legal Liability Deluge?

Stopping a Legal Liability Deluge may be harder than it looks. Every year in Dunedin (South Island New Zealand), 25,000 Cadburys chocolate Jaffas (balls, crisp orange outside milk chocolate in the centre) are rolled down the steepest residential street in the World and race to the bottom, to raise money for charity. Before the race starts the Jaffas are nicely contained in a big crate and the street is clean and clear.  Once they are out there is no stopping the deluge. 

Contract Confusion

Why your ‘best endeavours’ could turn out to be your last endeavour! The common view is that there is a spectrum of words you can select from to throw into contracts, when communicating the amount of effort you are prepared to go to, for someone you are in a contractual relationship with.  I often wonder if people say they will use ‘reasonable endeavours’ because they do not really want to do something, but…

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