Legal News & Expert Insights

We regularly receive enquiries about the scope of Trading Standards enforcement powers, including if they can close a business, impose penalties for offences, whether their officers can enter business premises, and how the Trading Standards investigation process operates. There are a number of Acts and Regulations which provide extensive protection to consumers in the UK […]

With an ever-increasing level of knife crime being committed throughout the UK, regularly involving minors, criminal courts now exercise little tolerance when sentencing those convicted of knife-related offences. Possession of a bladed article is a serious criminal offence in England and Wales. Carrying a knife in a public place without a lawful reason can result […]

Engaging in advertising that misleads or is likely to mislead other traders is a criminal offence. For those businesses that are facing complaints or subject to regulatory scrutiny, it is important to address these matters promptly with extreme care. Publishing advertising that overstates a products characteristics, condition or nature is prohibited. Any business that engages […]

It is undeniable that Intellectual Property is an important asset for creators and companies alike. Strong brand protection and enforcement is important, because without it, the creative industry, research and development and entrepreneurism are likely to stagnate. Whilst less common today, for many years it was not uncommon to see ‘copied’ or arguably counterfeit products […]

‘National Trading Standards’ and ‘Local Trading Standards’ work together to provide and enforce consumer rights in England and Wales. National Trading Standards safeguards consumers and businesses across England and Wales, ensuring the safety of products entering the UK and the food chain. As part of its mandate, National Trading Standards combat eCrime, conduct regional investigations […]

Vaping is the inhaling and exhaling of vapour produced by an electronic device called a vape or e-cigarette. Vapes are battery-operated devices that heat a liquid often containing nicotine and flavouring that creates a mist that users breathe in. These vaping devises which come in various forms such as ‘e-cigarettes’, ‘vapes’, ‘vape pens’, ‘vape bars’ […]