Thalej Vasishta of Paragon Law Awarded for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts in the Midlands
On Friday 22nd March seventeen people from the Midland’s business community were awarded for their outstanding contribution to the arts at the Jaguar Land Rover Business Champions for Arts & Business event at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
Prince’s Charity Arts & Business organised the event as a way to say thank you to those individuals who have enabled arts organisations in the region to continue to thrive. Hosted by ITV’s Business Correspondent, Mark Gough, the event awarded people such as Thalej Vasishta of Paragon Law for his contribution to the World Event Young Artists (WEYA) Festival 2012.
The first event of its kind, WEYA brought together 1,000 young artists from 100 nations to Nottingham for a 10 day festival event in September 2012 that took place across 40 key arts venues and alternative spaces in Nottingham city centre. This unprecedented showcase was also a finale to the 2012 Cultural Olympiad in the East Midlands. It is estimated that WEYA attracted over 700,000 people through artists, visitors, volunteers and community engagement.
Laura Mae-Browne of World Event Young Artists said “Thalej Vasishta of immigration law specialists, Paragon Law, came on board as our legal partner during the early development of the festival, offering Paragon Law as our first corporate sponsor. Thalej proved to be a keen and passionate advocate and, as a key sponsor, was also extremely proactive in helping us open routes to support in the City. From a business perspective, Thalej clearly understood the potential positive impact that an international festival could have for Nottingham and its reputation as the cultural capital of the region. Having an experienced and respected businessman and lawyer such as Thalej as our legal partner was crucial to the smooth running festival operation. Over 500 individual visas were required for the international artists and Thalej personally guided us through this complex process, his specialist support on entertainer and artist visas, connections and expertise as we brought these young artists from across the globe cannot be underestimated.”
Nadia Dooner, Regional Manager at Arts & Business says ‘We awarded some fantastic partnerships which highlight the strength of relationships between cultural organisations and local business, particularly individuals who champion the benefits of working with the arts.’
Thalej Vasishta said “My involvement in this festival was akin to a small cog in a large wheel. That said, I am of course very honoured to have been nominated and indeed awarded for the small contribution that I and my team at Paragon Law made towards this festival. There were many other businesses in the region such as Harts Hotel and Restaurant, Capital One, Paul Smith and john e wright that were business partners who also equally contributed to WEYA being a success.”
Thalej went on to say “WEYA was a great success for Nottingham and the real winners were the artists who contributed to the event. Since WEYA, I have witnessed a number of young artists’ careers go from strength to strength and collaborations from the relationships that this festival helped to foster. WEYA gave a real injection of support to the creative community in Nottingham and it is a real pleasure to continue to support many of the initiatives that have continued since WEYA.”
Paragon Law Lawyer Developing Professional and Legal Education in Qatar
The Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) has officially launched a report on the development of professional legal and judicial education in Qatar. Authored by Paragon Law’s Chloë Smythe and Professor Martin Partington, CBE, QC, the report sets out a number of proposals designed to further develop professional legal and judicial education in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.
The Qatar National Vision 2030 lays down a path of developing international benchmark standards in all professions in Qatar. Since its formation, the QICDRC’s role has been to both provide specialist dispute resolution services for international businesses, and contribute towards setting international professional standards for lawyers and judges in Qatar in accordance with the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Robert Musgrove, QICDRC CEO said: “The QICDRC is leading the way in developing genuine international standards in law in Qatar and more widely in the region, through the example of our international judiciary, world leading dispute resolution schemes for businesses, and through our commitment to develop the highest standards in legal and judicial education.”
“This report represents a major contribution towards the development of a professional legal and judicial education strategy for Qatar and meeting our commitment to the Qatar National Vision 2030 by setting international benchmark standards for lawyers and judges” he added.
A central recommendation in the report is the creation of a new International Judicial and Legal Education Institute which would offer specially devised accredited programmes for trainee, junior and senior lawyers and judges, providing opportunities for Qatari lawyers and judges to study overseas and shape the country’s curriculum for professional legal education and judicial training. Courses would also be offered to international lawyers who practice in Qatar to enable them to better understand the local context in which they operate.
Prior to joining Paragon Law, Chloë Smythe’s role as Deputy CEO at the Civil Justice Council allowed her to develop an interest in legal and judicial education. Having travelled extensively in the Middle East, authoring this report was an opportunity to combine both interests and experience.
Chloë Smythe said: “Our proposals, which have been received well, are designed to enable Qatar to create a structure for judicial and professional legal education which draws upon best practice from around the world and fits the specific context which exists in Qatar and the Gulf region.”
“Our proposals reflect the opinions of national and international lawyers and judges in Qatar, as well as internationally renowned experts. This combination of Qatari and international expertise ensures that Qatar’s lawyers and judges are well-equipped to serve the needs of an increasingly globalised legal marketplace but within a local, Qatari framework,” she added.
Paragon Law secures top accolade from national Law Society
Paragon Law in Nottingham has secured the national Law Society’s law management quality mark, Lexcel.
Lexcel is developed specifically for the legal profession. It is an optional, recognised accreditation scheme for law firms and in-house legal departments which gives assurance that a practice meets high client care and business management standards.
To gain and retain Lexcel accreditation, practice must undergo a rigorous intial then annual application and assessment process. This includes conducting background checks and an on-site visit from an experienced, trained Lexcel assessor.
Marcus Worthington, Operations Director, said: “While we are proud to have secured Lexcel, it is our clients and staff who are the main beneficiaries. They can be assured that the way we manage the practice has their interests at heart and runs efficiently. There is a lot of choice in the legal services market, but being Lexcel accredited demonstrates our commitment to client care and best practice”.
Lucy Scott-Moncrieff, President of the Law Society of England and Wales, said: Gaining and maintaining Lexcel is no mean feat. There are many facets of being a Lexcel accredited law firm, including client care. A commitment to customer service in today’s evermore competitive legal services market is vital.
“By undergoing the rigorous Lexcel application and assessment process practices can show the positive steps they are taking to help clients in the increasingly diverse, complicated legal services market.
The scheme is a beacon of quality to clients and potential clients alike”.
Paragon Law joins more than 1200 other legal practices in England & Wales with Lexcel accreditation. The practice management accolade has also gone international, with firms in Scotland, the Middle East, Poland and the Republic of Ireland having gained accreditation.
For more information about the Lexcel quality mark, please contact the Law Society Press office on: +44 (0)20 7316 5624 or email: press.office@lawsociety.org.uk
International Students Perception of the UK
Following recent changes in the Post Study Work Visa, there has been alot of press coverage regarding international students ‘turning their back’ on the UK and choosing to study elsewhere. Yet this sector of the economy is key in both the short and long term for UK PLC’s success. To date there has not been any research as to international student perceptions of the UK as a place in which to engage in further study, skilled employment or entrepreneurial activity. Given this concern Paragon Law in conjunction with Loughborough University have investigated international student perspectives on the UK as a country in which to participate in skilled activity on graduation.
Employing Foreign Migrants? Then ensure you remain compliant with the law!
Paragon Law have created this two page leaflet setting out why employers should remain compliant when employing migrant workers and how we can help you achieve and maintain an A status licence with the UKBA.
Open for Business?
Survey of International Student Perceptions of Post-Study Opportunities in the UK
PARAGON LAW TOP THE LEGAL RANKINGS
Paragon Law have once again made the top Band of the leading immigration law firms in the Chambers and Partners Legal Directory of the legal profession.
The Chambers and Partners Guide to the Legal Profession independently assesses and takes the opinions of peers within the profession and clients for whom the firm have acted for in reaching their decision as to which are the leading firms in the UK in their particular discipline.
The directory’s commentary on Paragon Law takes particular note of the “broad range of specialism’s” which the firm has across its niche immigration law practice. With offices in Nottingham, London, Shanghai and Ludhiana in India, Chambers and Partners note that clients see this as a key asset, “with international business clients particularly valuing this global footprint”. Peers and market sources comment that Paragon Law “is really on top of their game and getting some really good results”.
Three lawyers at Paragon Law have been described as leading lights in UK immigration law, which is more than any other firm outside of London, and with only four firms in London having 1 more leading expert.
Managing Director and Solicitor, Thalej Vasishta, has been described by his clients as “extremely professional and experienced” and by legal market sources as “dynamic, with vision, particularly with international work”. The firm’s Legal Services Director, Kirin Abbas, who advises a number of Paragon Law’s corporate and Higher Education institutions, has been described by her clients as being “efficient, personable, forward thinking and able to deliver very clear, practical advice”. Associate, Deirdre Sheahan, who heads up the Paragon Law human rights department, has been recognised for her legal precedent setting work in the higher courts, having taken cases recently both to the Supreme Court and the European Court of Justice. She has been described, both by clients and peers, as “very on top of her cases and very authoritive, and as a lawyer with real commitment and flair”.
Thalej Vasishta said “As a team since we opened over nine years ago we have stuck to a very simple script, which is to help businesses, organisations, individuals and families to be able to trade, live, study and work in the UK. We want to add value to our clients’ situation by adding our expertise. Every individual who joins Paragon Law must share this philosophy as well. Having stuck to this script everything else has fitted into place with Paragon Law acting for a broad range of clients from large multinationals through to a child who might have been trafficked to the UK to work in the sex trade. In each case we are doing nothing more than adding value and ensuring that our clients’ objectives are met. Peer, academic and client recognition of our work has always been important. The whole team at Paragon Law are proud of our achievements”.
UK needs skilled migrants
“Paragon Law set out in this article how the Government’s current immigration policy is damaging UK business and preventing the best talent from coming to the UK ” To read more please click here
Emigration from the UK
“The UK Home Office have published their report on emigration from the UK, with a summary of the top destinations, reasons for moving and the numbers leaving”
Paragon Law Diversifies into Sport
Thalej Vasishta, Managing Director of UK Immigration Law Firm Paragon Law has announced today that he has set up a joint venture company called Complete Sports Solutions (Asia) Limited. The other shareholders and directors of the company include former England and Chelsea player Tony Dorigo and Jamie Digwood (left in picture above) who has worked for the English FA Medical Science team, Chelsea FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers, primarily developing the football academies at these clubs.
Complete Sports Solutions (Asia) Limited will specialise in bringing school tours from initially China to the UK and during their trip to the UK the boys will have the opportunity to train at top Premiership football club academies such as Manchester United, Liverpool, Everton etc. The tour will also be completed with watching live Premiership games, stadium tours, meeting players and sightseeing.
In addition the company will also specialise in elite business tours from China with complete packages being arranged for groups of business people to come to the UK to watch premiership games, stadium tours, meeting players and sightseeing throughout the UK.
Ling Xu who is Paragon Law’s Country Director based in Shanghai and who will lead the project from China said “this will be a very exciting proposition for the China market with the interest in football growing in China year upon year. This interest is only set to grow as football clubs in China begin to sign up players such as Didier Drogba. We have already had tremendous interest from independent schools and the business community in Shanghai”.
Jamie Digwood who will be the CEO of the new company said “my existing company, Complete Sports Solutions (UK) Limited has been bringing school tours from Australia and the USA for a number of years and it is a natural progression for us to expand into the China market. Not only will we be bringing schoolboy and elite business tours from China to the UK but we will also be setting up similar tours from the UK, USA and Australia into China. Almost simultaneously we will be expanding into India”.
Tony Dorigo, who was instrumental in bringing Thalej Vasishta and Jamie Digwood together will have an Ambassadorial role in the new company. He said “the collective talents and synergy between all of us makes this a great business to be involved in. The number of people in China who watch Premiership games runs into the millions and there is a real appetite in China to develop football at grass roots level. School tours therefore from China where Chinese boys will be coached by the best football academies, being taught about diet, exercise and playing against up and coming talent in the UK will help China’s aspirations towards developing the sport”.
Thalej Vasishta said “Complete Sport Solutions (Asia) Limited is a natural diversification for not only myself but my existing company Paragon Law as we not only have a wealth of experience of dealing with high volume “group” visas but we also have very strong relationships in the sports sector and independent schools in China. Moreover, during recent trips to China we have met local Government officials from at least two cities in China who do not have local football clubs and are very keen to develop action plans for football in their cities. Tony’s and Jamie’s deep knowledge of football from grass roots level right up to the very best in the Premiership game will no doubt help with these types of projects also”.
The first tours from China will commence in February/March 2013.