Regulatory and Commercial Advocacy

Trading Standards Investigation

If you have Trading Standards knocking at your door to inspect or investigate a trading standards complaint or incident seek legal advice.Trading Standards investigations cover a wide range of potential offences relating to copyright, trade marks, trade descriptions, consumer credit, weights and measures and food safety to name a few. It’s a complex area and the penalties, which include unlimited fines and imprisonment, can be severe and so seek a solicitor who can demonstrate an in depth knowledge of Trading Standard procedure. At Grindeys we have the knowledge to represent and defend any company or individual in England and Wales at every stage of the process.

Stage 1 The Interview

When Trading Standards interview a company or individual under caution for a breach of legislation, it is wise to talk to a solicitor in advance and, have a solicitor by your side at the interview. Prior to interview, your Grindeys solicitor will visit your site to learn about your business, how it operates and what systems are in place. This will enable your solicitor to advise on the appropriate responses and behaviour at interview. It is important for legal advice to be obtained at this stage as any replies given in interview may be significant in any subsequent prosecution.

Your solicitor will be present at the interview. Not to answer the questions but to represent your interests and ensure the interview is conducted in a fair manner.

Stage 2 Arrest, Search and Seizure

Should Trading Standards obtain the assistance of the police, to arrest you as a suspect or to search and seize property, your solicitor will be available to assess the alleged offences and advise on any statutory defences. We may be able to negotiate with Trading Standards on the alternative options to prosecution for example, a written warning or a formal caution.

Stage 3 Prosecution

After the initial investigation Trading Standards will decide whether to prosecute for breach of legislation or regulation. If this is the route they choose, we will continue to represent your interests until the final outcome is decided before the court.