Trading Law
IF ENGLAND is a nation of shopkeepers it must also be a nation of regulators. A cordon of rules and regulations lines the High Street, from consumer protection law through licensing regulations to trade descriptions law.
Bond Pearce's trading law specialists offer retailers an assured passage through that cordon.
"Trading law is so diverse and fast-evolving that we have to track constantly what the law-makers are doing and relate those changes to business needs," trading law solicitor Zoë Perry says.
Government initiatives on anti-social behaviour are a case in point. "We're helping many retailers selling age-restricted products like alcohol, knives, games and DVDs," Zoë says.
Local councils increasingly probe retailers by conducting test purchases of age-restricted items, including alcohol, which could lead to antisocial behaviour.
"We provide a fixed fee service to retailers to investigate any failed test purchases, to compile an investigation report and to attend any interview.
"Our approach dispels preconceptions of the stereotypical lawyer that local council officials have - more often than not these matters don't progress to prosecutions.
"If they do we have an excellent record of defending them and recovering costs."
But Bond Pearce's trading and licensing law advice can anticipate problems before regulators are alerted.
Advertising and copy clearance experts ensure in advance the legality of advertisements or point of sale material. Their advice extends to drafting terms and conditions for competitions and prize promotions.
"There's a cross over with the regulatory work of the team, particularly where advertisements covering sales or specific products claims are concerned because the Trade Descriptions and Consumer Protection acts that cover these issues are at the core of the regulatory area," Zoë says.
Retailers anxious about provisions of health and safety laws can gain peace of mind by seeking Bond Pearce's expert advice.
"And we can defend prosecutions brought by local councils or the Health and Safety Executive, or advise retailers about enforcement notices," Zoë says.
Bond Pearce will represent them at employment tribunals if necessary but the team's approach seeks negotiation, not confrontation.
"We try always to agree a solution without the cost of litigation - in fact, we rarely have cases that proceed all the way to a tribunal," Zoë says.
"We want to help clients preserve or build good relationships with local authorities rather than be too aggressive or entrenched.
"After all, councils will continue to carry out statutory inspections at our clients' premises long after any litigation is over."
The Bond Pearce team has an enviably successful record defending prosecutions in entertainment law, licensing laws or under any consumer protection legislation.
"From trade descriptions through misleading prices to products failing to meet required British standards, we have wide experience, including one of the leading cases in this area," Zoë says.
