Trading Standards
Trading standards investigations cover a wide range of potential offences such as trade descriptions, weights and measures, trade marks, copyright, consumer credit and food safety. If you are involved in a trading standards investigation it can be a distressing and disruptive experience.
Trading standards law relates to new as well as second hand goods and even applies to issues such as when the odometer is altered on a car to give a false mileage – amounting to a false trade description. Any person who falsely describes goods or services that they supply, or offer to supply while operating as a business, is guilty of an offence under the Trade Descriptions Act.
In some cases Trading Standards Officers will obtain the assistance of the Police to make an arrest of potential suspects and to search premises and seize property. It is desirable for individuals or businesses to seek legal advice at this stage.
Clarkes trading standards experts can advise on all aspects of trading standards law and represent clients facing trading standards investigations. We will help you throughout any investigation and liaise with the investigating bodies, prepare written responses on your behalf and even represent you at interviews under caution, tribunal hearings or prosecutions through the criminal justice system. In some circumstances it may be possible to negotiate with Trading Standards departments on alternative options to prosecution such as a written warning or formal caution. We can also keep you up-to-date with Trading Standards law so you can remain fully compliant.
Clarkes have experience acting for clients with action brought against them from:
- Local Authority Trading Standards Departments
- Food Standards Agency
- Office of Fair Trading
- Medicines and healthcare products Regulation Authority
For expert legal help and advice with Trading Standards contact Shakeel Ahmed from our Criminal Law team on 01952 618787.
