“Lawyers often have to give a performance in court, but appearing live on stage is a whole different ball game” remarks Paul Motion, a partner and Solicitor Advocate at leading law firm bto.
In August 2009, bto partners will appear at Fringe Central, Appleton Tower, Crichton Street, Edinburgh as part of the biggest arts festival in the world, The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, to present three free seminars and legal surgeries for performers or managers.
“The Fringe tends to bring young, creative people into contact with more down to earth problems that they may not have the experience to deal with”, Motion continues. Whether they are managing artists, hiring venues, or booking accommodation they are going to encounter contracts of varying fairness. This is why we are beginning with “Small Print – Big Problem,” on 11 August at 14:00”. At this seminar, bto solicitor advocates Paul Motion and Tony Jones together with a bto commercial property lawyer will examine contracts and compensation issues which artists or promoters may encounter.
On 18 August at 14:00 and again on 27 August at 10:30, Paul Motion will present a seminar exploring the basics of copyright, called “Stealing Ideas – Unravelling Copyright”. This is a non-legalistic introduction to copyright law, which will try to identify what can and cannot be protected, with emphasis on performing arts issues.
bto’s presenters will hold “Participant Surgeries” after all of the seminars. The surgeries are free, non-ticketed, events that will take place on 11 and 18 August at 16:00 and on 27 August at 12:00.
“Getting so actively involved in the Fringe is a step into the unknown for bto and not a lawyer’s natural territory” agrees Motion, “but in the current climate firms need to be thinking and doing things that are outside their comfort zones. These events were suggested by artist management clients that bto represents. We hope to share some of the knowledge and experience bto has gained through acting for them. We are not holding our breath in the expectation of sell-out events, however, if we can inform and maybe entertain just a little at the same time, it will have been worthwhile”.
Tickets for the seminars can be booked on line - click here
The Fringe Programme is available on line - click here