Trading Standards Prosecutions

Trading Standards Prosecutions at St Pauls Chambers

Many members of Chambers, both Senior and Junior, undertake a wide variety of prosecution work for National Trading Standards, the E-Crime team, and ‘Scambusters’. The National Trading Standards (“NTS”) eCrime Teams are responsible for prosecuting large scale frauds or scams which are promoted via the internet.

We undertake all aspects of ‘cyber-crime’ or ‘E-crime’ and have experience in dealing with cross-jurisdictional matters where defendants attempt to take their operations abroad to avoid detection or prosecution by the British authorities.

Many of the Trading Standards Prosecutions that we have undertaken in the last few years have been the largest frauds in the country at the time, netting offenders many millions of pounds, which upon conviction we seek to recover. Some of them have included copycats of government websites which offer public services for a fee when the official site offers it for nothing or a nominal fee.

Jonathan Sandiford Denise Breen-Lawton and George Hazel-Owram prosecuted the largest case brought by NTS in respect of a copycat websites scam that generated over £40 million in a little over a year
(R v Hall and others Op Dougal 1 and Op Dougal 2) .

Given the difficulties experience by Local Trading Standards; the ASA and other Governmental Agencies in recognising and dealing with copycat website scams Jonathan Sandiford and Denise Breen-Lawton have been asked to write and present a training package to all trading standards officers nationally later in 2018.

Jonathan Sandiford , Alasdair Campbell and Danielle Graham were also involved in a series of prosecutions arising out of the extensively advertised Maple Mill Kitchen business associated with one Vance Miller

Counsel advise upon, and prosecute, complex areas of restraint of assets and confiscation under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Counsel are also experienced in cross-jurisdictional issues regarding the seizure of evidence from abroad under letters of request and dealing with issues that can arise involving international witness issues.

Counsel are instructed from the very beginning of Trading Standards Prosecution cases so that advice can be given on all aspects of the case including investigation, evidence gathering, disclosure, restraint of assets, and search warrants right through to recovery of criminal property after conviction.

Jonathan Sandiford, Alasdair Campbell and Danielle Graham were also involved in a series of prosecutions arising out of the extensively advertised Maple Mill Kitchen business associated with one Vance Miller
(Op Angel and Op Angel 2 .)
This included the successful use of confiscation proceedings brought without a conviction under Section 28 of POCA