Trading standards investigations & prosecutions

Our lawyers regularly handle issues surrounding various prosecuting agencies including National Trading Standards investigations and prosecutions

The potential effects on a business are substantial as NTS officers may take a number of actions including:-

• Attend at your business premises without notice
• Seize your business records including computers, mobile phones and products
• Seize goods as evidence or for forfeiture.
• Interview people associated with the business
• Effect an arrest of any personnel associated with the business (but only if accompanied by the police)
• Insist on a product recall
• Issue formal warnings
• Review any licences granted to the business
• Issue criminal cautions
• Interview directors and staff under caution
• Apply for Restraint Orders freezing an individual or business’ assets
• Commence criminal prosecutions in the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court
• Instigate POCA proceedings for confiscation following conviction

For any business or individual, early intervention is often the most effective action. Businesses will often want to seek advice on their compliance with the relevant regulations before any action has been taken by NTS officers. If you would like to take advice regarding any of the above, speak to our lawyers today to see how we can assist.