Brand names and logos are all around our daily life and play an important part in whether we choose to buy goods and services from one supplier over another. Have you ever stopped to think whether it is the product or the brand that is the key selling point – the taste or name of Coca-Cola®?

Trade marking a name or logo is a simple but effective method of protecting the goodwill that your business has built up in it’s company name, brand names and logos. A trade mark gives you the exclusive right to use the mark in relation to the goods and/or services that it covers in the UK or if you apply for a community trade mark the 27 member states of the EU.

Having a registered trade mark makes it easier to take legal action against someone (e.g. one of your competitors) using your brand name or logo (or something similar). Without a registered trade mark, you may be able to take action for what is known as ‘passing off’ although this is more difficult and expensive to prove than trade mark infringement.

At Steele Raymond LLP we routinely assist our clients with protecting their brands and logos including registering trade marks and dealing with claims for infringement.

For details contact Craig Hardman, a partner in Steele Raymond LLP’s Company Commercial team.

Chris was a partner & head of commercial property at the regional firm Trethowans LLP and brings with him a wealth of experience in all areas of commercial property. He is a nationally recognised secured lending specialist acting for banks and lenders taking security over properties throughout England and Wales.

Chris also has considerable experience handling transactions in the care (including care homes and day nurseries) and leisure (including hotels, pubs and caravan parks) sectors. Chris has been recognised by Legal 500 (a key independent guide to the legal profession) in both Real Estate & Banking and Finance categories.  Legal 500 state that Chris “always gives good, practical advice” and that his advice is “clear and unequivocal”.

Chris will give senior support to the commercial property department as well as establishing and reinforcing our local links with commercial property professionals and lenders.

Peter Rolph, Chairman of the Management Committee at Steele Raymond LLP, says “We are delighted to welcome Chris as a Partner, his extensive experience in all types of property transactions means he is a very valuable addition to our team. We are looking forward to him strengthening our team and continuing to be the premier team in the area”.

The seminar aimed to offer guidance and expert advice in a variety of legal topics on Wednesday 29th February.  The event proved a huge success with more than 70 ladies attending.

Held at the Barrington Theatre in Ferndown, the Steele Raymond Private Client team provided an informative and lively seminar aimed to provide help and advice in relation to the following:-

Investment in Poland represents one of these opportunities for Dorset and Hampshire businesses.  With competitive labour costs, a favourable location in the centre of Europe opening up vast export opportunities, and the potential to reach millions of new consumers, Poland is an attractive market for business expansion and investment.  Polish law firm Windmill Gąsiewski & Roman have partnered with Steele Raymond LLP and Grant Thornton to bring Dorset and Hampshire based businesses information and advice on how to capitalise on these prospects in Poland in the form of a free seminar.

The seminar will give background to the Polish business community, including information on the Polish economy, tax and accounting in Poland, and investment opportunities, while also advising on the potential of specific sectors including agriculture and related investment, plus renewables and green energy.

With both international and local input from several leading organisations, the seminar is guaranteed to bring you valuable information from sources who understand the local economy and the issues that Dorset and Hampshire businesses face, while highlighting those international opportunities and how to make the most of them for your business.  Every business sector and size can benefit from attending, whether you’re looking for advice on how to get started, or looking to make large business investments, this seminar can provide you with the necessary tools to do so.

Dorset Chamber of Commerce & Industry are also involved with the event, and encourages its members to attend the seminar, which will be held on Thursday 26^th April 2012 at The Beaulieu Hotel from 4pm.

For further information, or to book your place visit our events page.

Steele Raymond LLP and Windmill Gasiewski & Roman have invited several leading organisations to present and explain what investing in this area can do for a business in the UK. Click here to view the Making It in Poland 2012 Seminar PDF.

Areas covered include:

• Opportunities in Poland
• Agriculture and related investment
• Renewables and green energy
• Investment in Polish business
• The Polish economy
• Tax and accounting in Poland
• A Case Study – trade and investment opportunities

Our experts are sharing their wealth of knowledge allowing you to make informeddecisions when looking for business opportunities in Poland.

Whether making business contacts, small, medium or large business investments this seminar will provide the professional advice you need to get started.

DATE & TIME: Thursday 26 April 2012

4.00pm Registration

4.30pm to 5.45pm Seminar

5.45pm to 6.15pm Q & A

Followed by buffet and refreshments

VENUE: The Beaulieu Hotel, Beaulieu Road, Beaulieu, Hampshire, SO40 2NR

This coming year he has entered to take part in the following races:-

Duchy Marathon – 4 March 2012

Brighton Marathon – 15 April 2012

Edinburgh Marathon – 27 May 2012

Apart from a late life crisis according to one of his sons! The task is explained also by helping raise funds for his Rotary Club’s charities which are:-

• Julia’s House whose hospice for young children is well known locally
• Youth Cancer Trust whose work is accomplished with such humour
• Salvation Army (the Salvos who are always ready to help and hardly ever fail)
• Rotary charities where we are so close to eradicating Polio worldwide and a donation is to be made to the Smile Train charity.

As a member of the local Business Community and as his Rotary Club’s President he is very aware that it has been a difficult time for everyone including charities.  But as you can see from the above he NEEDS your support!

Simon seeks sponsorship for the three races.  You can sponsor him directly by letting him know the amount, your postcode and whether he may claim gift aid by e-mailing him at simonoutten@steeleraymond.co.uk or by making a donation via http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/simonoutten

Simon is also running and raising funds in connection with the Rotary Easter Quarter Marathon (6 ½ miles) due on 7 April this year, starting near Boscombe Pier at 11am.  The run is open to all over the age of 16 and teams of 5 (all male, all female and mixed), including Steele Raymond’s 2011 winning team. All like minded souls and local businesses are encouraged to enter!  This could be you!  However if you are unable to enter please consider making other s to do so or perhaps sponsoring Simon or the event.

The Business Brains of Bournemouth 2012 was sponsored by Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce and allowed the business community of Bournemouth to battle it out for this prestigious title by taking part in a challenging quiz .  There was a round specifically about Bournemouth, one about business, a local picture round,  as well as more traditional quiz rounds. The Business Brains of Bournemouth proved a huge success with 15 teams fiercely fighting it out for the title and  over £1,700 being raised for BCHA. This money will help BCHA continue their vital work within the local community, helping people find a way forward with their lives.

A splendid cup was presented to Alan Turle by Chris Jarvis – TV Presenter and Pantomime star which after engraving will doubtless be placed in the trophy cabinet at Steele Raymond LLP!

This was Steele Raymond’s teams second outing of the 2011/2012 season; the team came a strong second last time in a competition organised by Bournemouth Law Society. Once again quiz masters Phil ‘the will’ Edkins from Southbourne and Prof Gerard Horsley from Bournemouth played a starring roles supported by the rest of the team!

Company commercial lawyer Craig Hardman joined the firm in September 1998 as part of the Steele Raymond Bursary and Placement Award. He subsequently completed his degree in Business Law at Bournemouth University with First Class Honours and his post-graduate studies at UWE, Bristol.  He rejoined the firm in September 2001 as a trainee and qualified as a Solicitor in March 2003. He became an Associate in November 2006 and a Senior Associate in February 2011.

Peter Rolph, Chairman of the Management Committee at Steele Raymond LLP, says “We are delighted to welcome Craig as a Partner.  His extensive experience in all types of company commercial transactions means he is a very valuable member of our team. Craig has shown outstanding ability and commitment to the firm and we are delighted he has become a Partner.”

Nick, Mark & Jonathan’s promotions to Senior Associate are well deserved in recognition of their ongoing commitment and contribution to the firm.

Nick joined the firm in 2002 also as part of the Steele Raymond LLP Bursary and Placement Award with Bournemouth University.  He then completed his undergraduate Business Law (LL.B) degree and went on to study for a year at the University of Nottingham gaining a masters degree (LL.M) in Commercial Law.  Nick then completed the Legal Practice Course at BPP Law School in Leeds, graduating in July 2006. He rejoined the firm in September 2006 and, having qualified as a Solicitor in March 2008, became an Associate in April 2011. Nick also deals with company commercial matters, showing the firm’s tremendous strength and depth in all company commercial areas of the law.

Mark joined in September 2003 also after receiving the Steele Raymond Bursary and Placement Award. He went on to complete his Business Law degree and Legal Practice Course at Bournemouth University and rejoined the firm in August 2006 to undertake his training. Mark qualified as a Solicitor in February 2008 and became an Associate in April 2011. Mark is a member of the dispute resolution department with a particular interest in construction disputes.

Jonathan completed a degree in Geography at Exeter University and subsequently undertook the Post Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course, also in Exeter. He joined the firm in September 2005 as a trainee, qualified as a Solicitor in September 2007 and became an Associate in September 2010. Jonathan specialises in commercial landlord & tenant transactions & contracts, commercial property acquisitions and disposals and property aspects of commercial/corporate transactions.

Peter Rolph, continues: “All three have demonstrated exceptional commitment and talent to succeed within their departments and we believe that they will continue to make a tremendous contribution to the firm in the future. We are looking forward to meeting the exciting challenges that lie ahead. We believe in allowing our talented lawyers to progress in the firm and enjoy the recognition their expertise deserves.”

Stefan initially joined the firm in September 2006 as a result of receiving the Steele Raymond Bursary and Placement Award and worked within the firm for a year. He subsequently went on to complete his Law degree and Legal Practice Course at Bournemouth University.

Stefan rejoined the firm in September 2009 to undertake his training contract and qualified as a solicitor in October 2010

Stefan strengthens the Dispute Resolution team as a newly qualified solicitor and will specialise in commercial dispute resolution at Steele Raymond LLP.

Head of Dispute Resolution, Robert Bajaj says; “The addition of Stefan as a qualified solicitor will do even more to enhance the abilities and commitment of Steele Raymond LLP to its clients and the importance of their needs as individuals and we are looking forward to exciting, challenges. The appointment of Stefan reflects Steele Raymond’s strategy of employing specialist staff to enable the firm to provide first class legal advice.”

The swimathon was once again held at the excellent Canford School Sports Centre, and the team raised more than £250 for four important major charities.

The ‘Steele Raymond Stingrays’ consisted of Craig Hardman, Nick Davies, Stefan Meekers, Shaun Guppy and Richard Smith.  The five team members, were part of over 200 swimmers taking part, they managed to swim a total of 86 lengths during a 45-minute slot at Wimborne Rotary’s annual swimathon raising funds allocated as follows:- 20% to Friends of Forest Holme – Hospice and palliative care for those who need it, 20% to Mencap – Charity to support learning disabilities, 20% to Miss Bush Memorial Group Riding for the disabled, and the remaining 40% will be donated to our chosen charity Help for Heroes.

Since the swimathon started ten years ago, Steele Raymond LLP has helped Wimborne Rotary raise at least £130,000 in total for a variety of charities.

Team captain of the ‘Steele Raymond Stingrays’, Stefan Meekers, says: “This was a very exciting and energetic event to participate in.  We were pleased to dive in and support the swimathon to raise funds for four worthwhile charities.  Staff at Steele Raymond LLP regularly participate in and enjoy local fundraising events.”