Jurit works with Farillio to help SMEs during COVID

by Mike Morris, Consultant Solicitor

In March of this year, Farillio, a legal tech start-up, created a campaign, “Leave No SME Behind / 3Hr Pledge”, for businesses such as digital marketing, finance, and law, to donate time and skills to help cash-strapped SMEs during the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time, it was not clear what Government support start-ups would benefit from (if any).

Jurit supported this great initiative from early on and was very proud to be associated with this campaign which was aiming to mobilise social connection, collaboration and humanity to help save businesses. Ten Jurit lawyers signed up to offer their services on a free, pro-bono, basis. Mike Morris was one of these lawyers and he was introduced to Good Empire in May whose business model involves creative laser cutting, engraving and waterjet cutting services. During the first lockdown they looked to produce PPE face shields to help with the initial NHS deficit, as well as for care homes and food banks to help their community while production was quiet for them due to business losses as they usually create work for the hospitality and the events industries.  Good Empire cut the plastic elements and a company knows as 3DCrowd printed the black elements, assembled the products and distributed them.

It was appreciated that on a longer term basis supplying the NHS would involve higher level external product approvals so that was the first issue Mike needed to advise on, and who exactly were “healthcare workers”, and later on, as to the effectiveness of disclaimers in relation to face shields and any risks in supplying such equipment without charge, as well as the costs and the process of the product approval process.

The expense of product certification to the NHS unfortunately made that impractical, and now Good Empire is back to its usual work.

Joely Brammer, owner of Good Empire was able to email Jurit and say:

Thank you VERY kindly for all the help you did on this, it made a huge difference having your advice and I will certainly come to you again in the future when we need some legal advice.

Farillio is an online legal platform which provides small businesses with their own digital account where they can learn, create, collaborate, store, share, sign and get advice on essential legal matters and documents.

Photo by Good Empire.

If you have any questions about this, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us on 020 7846 2370 or by email info@jurit.com