2020 vision - the polarised views of today By Kwan Cheung Are you ‘with me’ or ‘against me’? It could be argued, perhaps now more than ever given current economic and social circumstances which have unfolded this year, we need greater unity between us. ...
Energy Consent Project
Situation The client wanted to develop a design and gain planning approval to construct an Energy Park. The proposed Energy Park generated low carbon renewable electricity for the equivalent of c. 140,000 homes. The client sought to develop its park comprising an...
Private Company M&A Project
Situation The project was a £20 million share purchase by our client of a timer frame manufacturing company. The transaction was a straightforward private limited company M&A but the timescale for completion was challenging and there was a very tight budget....
Health & Safety Investigation Project
Situation Our client, a construction company was the principal contractor on the refurbishment of a historic building when it was destroyed by fire in 2018. Consequently, the client was subject to investigation by several external agencies and the subject to the...
Dealing with Disputes, Data and Dashboards
Situation A major infrastructure client had a need to understand the nature of disputes and analyse data they had captured. Steps Taken We reviewed and cleaned the client's data and built an interactive dashboard allowing real-time analysis and trends to be...
Providing Additional Support
Situation A life sciences client had embarked on implementation of a market leading contract lifecycle management (CLM) solution. While the client had made considerable progress they needed some support with advanced configuration. Steps Taken We were able to work...
Designing a Solution from Beginning to End
Situation The client, a global manufacturing client was required to enforce standards for customer sales contracts while also managing business demand and tracking internal SLAs. A new solution was required to address these challenges to their business. Steps Taken...
So What Does the Future hold?
So What Does The Future Hold? by Kwan Cheung Some countries are, at time of writing, now beginning to make the first tentative steps of the long journey to economic recovery from hitherto the most prolific global epidemic in living memory, with far-reaching...
Delivering efficiency for a multi-national technology business
Situation A huge Germany based multi-national technology company required a supplier able to frequently review terms and conditions of agreements under review and discussion. In addition to this, they required general legal advice to specific issues throughout the EU...
US Start-up required European market entry
Situation An US based start-up requested legal advice for their entire European market entry. They desired one single point of contact in Germany to undertake and coordinate the work throughout Europe. The contact was required to be always up to date regarding project...
Vario wins its first e-Award!
Vario has won it's very first e-Award! With current global CoVid19 restrictions making all events and gatherings impossible, In-House Community, an organisation supporting In-House Legal and Compliance professionals across Asia, hosted their annual Counsels of the...
Premier Oil Case Study
Situation Premier Oil is an independent UK-headquartered oil & gas company with interests in the UK, Asia, Africa and Mexico. During what was to be a particularly busy period for the company, they required the continued support of the firm in addition to three...
Centurion Case Study
"This assignment is the perfect example of how Vario can work so well for both client and Vario." - Roger Connon, Head of Oil and Gas for Vario Legal Situation The Centurion Group is an international leader in the supply of critical rental, infrastructure and...
Are you a Professional or a “Process-ional”?
Are you a Professional or a “Process-ional”? By Kwan Cheung We all class ourselves as working ‘professionals’, particularly those qualified with the prestigious title of ‘lawyer’ or ‘legal consultant’, but just how professional are you in your role really? ...
Pinsent Masons enters German Alternative Legal Services market with Xenion acquisition
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has announced two acquisitions that will enable it to launch its flexible legal resourcing brand, Vario, into Germany. Pinsent Masons has acquired Xenion Legal GmbH a leading name in the German freelance legal market. Xenion was...
Major Infrastructure Service Provider Case Study
Situation Our client is a major infrastructure service provider operating across Australasia. A subsidiary to an international contractor, the business operates, maintains and manages key infrastructure and assets across both public and private spheres. With a...
Leading Integrated Services Company Case Study
Situation Our client is a leading integrated services company with operations across ANZ. Their utilities arm had a senior lawyer resign leaving a gap in their team during what was a busy period, with particularly crucial issues at stake with broadband vendors. The...
Multinational Infrastructure and Construction Case Study
Situation Our client is a large infrastructure and construction company active across Australasia. The General Counsel resigned with a notice period to be served during a particularly busy period. With little resource available internally to run the recruitment...
National Fitness Day 2019
National Fitness Day 2019 By Kwan Cheung Fitting In Fitness Wednesday 25th September 2019 is National Fitness Day in the UK, a day dedicated to encouraging people of all ages and abilities to get up and be more physically active. Working in a high-pressure job with...
Mindfulness – A Valuable Tool for Freelance Lawyers
Mindfulness A Valuable Tool for Freelance Lawyers Mindfulness is increasingly recognised as a powerful technique for looking after our minds and bringing greater focus, calm and clarity. However, Mindfulness is more than a mere mind training technique – when practised...
One Small Step into Space, One Giant Leap Online
One Small Step into Space, One Giant Leap Online A recent survey by LEGO made the news asking 3,000 children in the US, China and the UK about their attitudes to space to mark 50 years since mankind successful mission to land on the moon. Upon being asked ‘What do...
The Science of Sleep & Performance
The science of sleep and performance: how can you find the optimal balance? My legal heros all have two things in common. Firstly, they are imaginary (Suits & Silk being particular favourites), and secondly, they don’t sleep much. On TV, the ah-ha moments...
Mitie Case Study
Pinsent Masons have provided great support through my assignment, both from a legal perspective (they are also engaged to provide advice in relation to the project from time to time) and through general assignment support from the Vario team. Overall, my Vario...
What Next for Generation Text?
What Next for Generation Text? By Kwan Cheung They're Here Recently trending on Twitter and picked up by mainstream press, younger millennials share an irrational fear of answering the doorbell, either scared by the unknown or believing it to be a scam. Furthermore,...
Our New Vario Team Member in Singapore
Our New Vario Team Member in Singapore: Ima Salleh With 14 years of experience in client relationships, sales management, operations management and administrative support, Ima is a welcome addition to the Vario team in the Asia region. She has previously worked for an...
Insight Piece – What for Law for 2024?
Insight Piece - What for Law for 2024? The winds of change have been blowing across the legal industry and they are expected to only blow harder over the next decade. Vario, along with Connect Media organised a gathering with leading General Counsels from all...
Does 996 Actually Work?
By Kwan Cheung Alibaba’s charismatic founder, Jack Ma has recently endorsed China’s typical work culture of 12-hour work days, 6 days a week, referred to as ‘996’ (9am-9pm, 6 days a week). His statement has been divisive, received with both praise and anger. While...
Vario Opens Up on O&G Web Platform
Vario from Pinsent Masons has gained a ‘shop window’ with companies in the oil and gas sector by joining Achilles FPAL - an online community which is used by over 90 buyers from oil and gas companies. Vario will now be able to share on an online platform its...
Saving your Sanity When Working From Home
Saving your Sanity When Working From Home By Kwan Cheung The advancement of technology has allowed us to work from the comfort (and nuisance) of our homes, which would have seemed impossible just a few decades before. But how do you stay sane when both working and...
Everyday Productivity Mistakes You Are Making
Everyday Productivity Mistakes You Are Making By Kwan Cheung Do you feel like you could have done more yesterday but not sure why you didn't? It could be because you're jeopardising yourself without even realising it. Read on to make sure you're not making any of...