Free online 'clinics' will be available to help businesses manage the changes to trading with the European Union following the UK's exit and the introduction of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).

Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP) is organising a series of free online events, which are focused on the issues that businesses have identified as being the areas where support is most needed. This includes rules of origin, VAT and intellectual property.

The first session takes place next week with the focus on VAT and customs duties.

On Wednesday, March 3, from 10.30am to 11.30am, guest speaker Richard Asquith, VP Global Indirect Tax at international taxation software specialists Avalara, will advise businesses on how to navigate VAT and duties, under the Trade and Cooperation agreement. The session will be chaired by Peter Fleming and John Cairns, EU Transition Business Advisors at Cumbria LEP.

Richard, whose role at Alvara includes helping businesses understand their compliance obligations as they grow globally, qualified as an accountant with KPMG in the UK, and went on to work in Hungary, Russia and France with EY.

CLEP chief executive Jo Lappin said: “CLEP is delighted to offer this free opportunity to our businesses to receive advice on how to manage the new requirements for trading with the EU.

"The clinics are designed to provide the opportunity for businesses to ask the direct questions that are affecting their business at this time.

“Participants can ask the experts about the new, post-EU exit rules on goods and services and learn what strategies and tactics some businesses are starting to adopt - and how they can also start benefitting from these.”

Topics covered will include: 'What are the new customs documentation requirements?'; 'Do I need extra VAT registrations?'; 'Which countries are requiring a VAT fiscal representative?'; 'How do I avoid import VAT losses?'; 'What is the tariff situation, and ‘Rules of origin’ requirements.

Businesses that are interested in taking part can register at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/eu-exit-vat-customs-clinic-tickets-142677449091

CLEP’s second free online advice clinic takes place on Wednesday, March 10, from 10.30am to 11.30am and will focus on intellectual property, trade mark and design rights.

Guest speaker will be Adam Turley, managing associate at Newcastle-based McDaniel’s Law, specialists in intellectual property law, with the session chaired by Peter and John.

Adam heads up McDaniel’s North West office in Carlisle and advises on all aspects of intellectual property law, whether contentious or non-contentious, with a particular focus on disputes around intellectual property ownership and infringement.

The session will be of particular interest to businesses who are: Pending applicants for an EU TM right; Pending international applicants for a Design right designating the EU; Pending applicants for a Community Registered Design Right; Pending international applicants for a Design right designating the EU and Holders of an application for action under the Customs Regulation which covers the UK and EU Member States.

Jo added: “If any of the activities listed above apply to you and you wish your rights to be covered in the UK as well as the EU, you need to take specific positive action. The clinic will cover the main changes to be aware of and how to address them.”

Businesses interested in this session can register at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/eu-exit-intellectual-property-ip-trade-mark-tm-and-design-rights-clinic-tickets-142691763907

Spaces for the sessions will be limited to between 10 to 12 businesses at each and specific questions should ideally be submitted in advance. Details of the third and fourth clinics are currently being finalised.