On Friday 14th July 2023, barristers from Trinity Chambers' Criminal and Regulatory teams delivered an all day training event to members of the North East Trading Standards Association in Durham.
The session, entitled 'Update for Investigators', aimed at Local Authority trading standards officers, was delivered by Trinity barristers John Crawford, Shada Mellor and Matthew Simpson, with topics including presenting evidence and dealing with vulnerable witnesses.
The morning sessions looked at special measures under the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, including eligibility for special measures, what makes a witness vulnerable or intimidated, and pitfalls to avoid when drafting a special measures application. In relation to vulnerable suspects, the training explored interviewing vulnerable adults and the implications of PACE code E.
The afternoon session focused on presenting evidence, including preparing bundles for court. The Trinity team also discussed fraud by false representation as an alternative to regulatory offences, including the statutory time limits involved.
Trinity's Criminal and Regulatory teams include barristers with extensive experience of both prosecuting and defending trading standards and consumer protection issues, regularly acting on behalf of Local authorities and businesses. Their practice covers criminal and civil cases from the Magistrates and County Courts to the Appellate Courts and also Judicial Review. As well as trading standards, the teams also deal with:
- Food Safety
- Trade Descriptions
- Product Safety
- Street Trading Offences
- Building Regulation Breaches
- Enterprise Act
- Illegal Money Lending