E Commerce

SHORTCUTS make life online easier, but taking shortcuts through the laws and regulations of e-commerce can be fraught with dangers.

A legislative net covers all aspects of e-commerce including distance selling regulations, consumer laws, data protection and accessibility.

And a tightly-drawn framework of regulations means expert advice is essential for the design of websites, drafting of trading terms, terms of use, marketing consents and privacy policies.

"You can take a chance selling online," says Andrew Kimble of lawyers Bond Pearce. "But get it wrong and the consequences can be severe - not just penalties for breaching regulations, but adverse effects on a business.

"Get your online trading terms wrong, for example, or fail to structure properly a fulfilment or hosting agreement and the costs may be high."

Bond Pearce leads in this area of the law, as senate members of IMRG, the leading industry body for e-retailing, Bond Pearce helps formulate policy and influence legalisation in the fast growing arena of e-commerce.

For clients like multi-national retailers, Bond Pearce offers a comprehensive service that pilots a route through that regulatory maze.

"There's a raft of legislation that now affects e-commerce trading terms," Andrew says.

"We can advise on all aspects of online trading - right from the design and structure of a trading website through to the detail of the privacy policy and the arrangements for returns."