Home | News & events | Press releases | Seminar success as businesses seek new law reassurances

Seminar success as businesses seek new law reassurances

08 August 2008

More than 40 companies have attended briefings hosted by Shoosmiths on new regulations to protect consumers from unfair and misleading trading practices.

They proved such a hit the national law firm is planning another briefing in London later this year.

The free-to-attend breakfast seminars were held at its Birmingham, Northampton and Reading offices, and were aimed at helping companies avoid falling foul of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

All businesses that sell to consumers – from High Street retailers to house builders – are affected by the new laws, which outlaw unfair commercial practices, misleading actions and omissions, aggressive practices and a list of 31 banned practices, including luring prospective buyers with phantom products, falsely claiming limited product availability, pressure selling, and false closing down sales.

Shoosmiths associate and consumer protection law specialist Philip Ryan said: “The interest in the seminars demonstrates the seriousness with which consumer-facing businesses are taking the new regulations.

“And so they should. They are comprehensive and wide-ranging, and even the most respectable High Street operators must pay close attention to them or risk complaints and potential prosecution by Trading Standards.

“We had top quality attendees at all three venues, all of them with different queries, and all of them wanting some reassurance that specialist advice is there to be had should they need it. We are already seeing clients coming to us to look at complaints by competitors about their products, claims and advertising under the new Regulations.”

The seminars covered:
• practical examples of how the new regulations may affect businesses at all levels of seniority, from sales personnel to directors
• brand protection, reputation damage and the potential for class actions by consumer groups
• new powers for Trading Standards Officers to conduct test purchase and how these may affect your business
• how to review your processes and procedures in light of the new regulations
• the current economic climate and the increased regulatory burden on businesses

Ryan said some clients had already requested advice on specific sales, marketing and advertising issues, while compliance health checks on existing systems and on marketing materials have been provided for others. He is also touring the country providing in-house training sessions for sales and marketing staff at a number of blue chip clients.

For further information please contact:
Name: Alastair Gray
Phone: 08700 864096
Email: Alastair.Gray@shoosmiths.co.uk

Email this page