22nd December 2023 | IN EXPERT INSIGHT | BY SBID Share Tweet Pinterest LinkedIn Amanda Bucklow, Mediator and Consultant at Unity Legal Solutions has given her insights into the interior design industry from a legal perspective. What are the origins of the company? Unity Legal Solutions offers a portal into the legal services market which is often a minefield, and we provide expert guidance on which services and approaches might suit a client’s business goals. Unlike traditional legal firms, we don’t represent clients in court, hold money for clients or undertake services like conveyancing. And because we don’t ‘act’ for clients we are better placed to guide them in choosing the right approach for their case. A good deal of our work is concerned with dispute resolution. That includes non-payment of fees which may be withheld due to dissatisfaction with performance, whether that is real or perceived. But there are other areas of business where clients might need legal support to resolve conflicts arising from doing business and running a practice. In addition to dispute resolution, we can assist with many other aspects of business which include contact drafting, collaboration and partnership agreements, trademark or copyright infringement, project optimisation, and buying or selling businesses. We have a practical and proactive approach to our work. We listen. We take on board our clients’ knowledge of the detail and to that we bring a clarifying lens, expertise and creativity. That makes for a very powerful partnership and springboard for delivering better outcomes. How do your products or services support the interior design profession? Interior designers face many challenges as part of their business and not just disputes. Sometimes the challenges can be within their practice, for example relationships with employees, business partners or suppliers. Those challenges have a ripple effect with consequences for their operations, client relationships, and overall reputation. For a sector that relies on referrals to sustain their business, this is a strong dynamic which requires careful consideration and is further affected by the perceived power balance between designer and client. Designers can only sell their time once so getting paid in full and on time is fundamental to profitability. The financial strain of dealing with non-payment is a hamster wheel of distraction and stress. Unity can provide economic advice, strategies, and interventions to help mitigate the risks of disputes arising and if they do arise, we can support the designer in dealing with them cost-effectively. How do you work with interior designers to enhance their projects? Unity Legal Solutions is a portal to a wide range of services, and we can recommend the most suitable ones for the circumstances. Additionally, we have access to trusted professionals when the need arises to act. Reviewing contracts early can pinpoint ambiguities that might trigger disagreements about the scope of work. Similarly, achieving clarity regarding fees, payment schedules, and processes for variations can enhance the effectiveness of the designer’s administration. Designers often take these aspects of the client/designer relationship for granted and seldom review them until issues arise. Disputes frequently arise from mismatched expectations, communication breakdowns, and unforeseen delays. Contracts lacking specificity or failing to address potential issues may create the conditions for disputes. We can add value by addressing those subjects proactively and not just with clients but with their own suppliers. We offer contract drafting to ensure that design contracts provide a route map through a project, and that designer and client are fully aware of their respective obligations. As a portal to legal services, we can provide preliminary advice on any problems that have arisen during a contract. We would always seek to guide members towards resolving disputes by negotiation and sometimes they might need help with that from an expert. Our mediation service aims to resolve disputes between designers and their clients and offers the best chance of preserving the relationships involved. And we can source the best possible advice from solicitors and barristers should further legal assistance be appropriate. What has been your most significant company highlight or success from the past year? Developing our partnership with SBID is a significant highlight and we believe that our innovative approach is valuable for the sector. We have plans for several supporting services which will benefit the membership and we look forward to fine tuning those in response to feedback and information received from members. 2023 has been a successful year for us. We have provided consultancy on interesting cases with unusual challenges for the clients leading to successful outcomes. There are more in the pipeline. Is there anything new you are excited to be working on? We are developing a programme on essential skills and approaches which support designers in managing disputes. There will be opportunities to strengthen negotiation skills, to build capacity and achieve their business goals. Our first free session will be early in the New Year, and we have planned a dispute resolution surgery where my colleague Roger Billins and I will be online to answer questions and bring participants up to date on recent changes in legislation. There will be more structured training workshops which will be available for a modest charge. How does your partnership with SBID assist its members in business? We offer practical risk assessments and develop options for addressing current issues and challenges which underpin growth and success. Members will consistently gain valuable insights that they can apply to their current and future projects. Amanda Bucklow, Mediator and Consultant at Unity Legal Solutions About Unity Legal Solutions Unity Legal Solutions is not a regulated firm of solicitors although our people are mainly legal professionals. We provide initial advice and, if necessary, open the door to the legal market and help clients navigate the way forward to give them the best available options. We advise on disputes, commercial contracts, company matters and intellectual property which is so important to SBID members. We also offer a comprehensive mediation service in order to resolve disputes before they get out of hand. Our aim is take the worry out of facing legal issues by being clear, commercial, collaborative and friendly! Visit Profile If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.