Consumer Law | UK Bar

Described as "number one in consumer law," Gough Square regularly handles matters concerning health and safety, food and trading regulations, as well as a plethora of consumer credit cases. They undertake both civil and criminal matters, regularly acting for businesses and individuals, along with local authorities. One instructing solicitor says that their "second to none expertise makes them the set of choice for complex consumer law matters." Members regularly appear in the High Court and Court of Appeal. The set boasts one of the deepest benches in the area and is frequently instructed in the most significant matters of the day. By way of example, members acted in R v AUH, a case concerning the capacity of a local authority to prosecute consumer offences outside its own area, and in Civil Aviation Authority v Ryanair, a matter looking at whether industrial action amounts to 'extraordinary circumstances' in the context of compensation.

5 Paper Buildings has tenants who are proficient in both criminal and civil consumer disputes. One instructing solicitor notes that "its barristers are supremely able to handle difficult cases at short notice, and have a good range of specialisms." They are often to be found prosecuting unfair trading offences cases on behalf of regulators and local councils, but also defend individuals against accusations of misconduct. They both prosecute and defend cases brought by regulatory bodies such as the Competition and Markets Authority, National Trading Standards, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and local trading standards departments nationwide. Members recently defended the principal defendant in a consumer fraud case worth £36 million. Other members have acted in a £10 million ticket re-sale fraud.

A "brilliant set with great depth of talent throughout the ranks," Henderson Chambers provides advice and representation across a broad range of civil and criminal consumer matters. It has tenants who are respected for their skill in consumer credit work, product liability litigation and cases concerning trading regulations. Clients range from private individuals to banks, insurers, regulators and local authorities. Members at the set regularly handle litigation involving large scale contamination of food and drink, and are experts in cases involving recalled white goods. On the finance side they recently appeared in the Court of Appeal, acting for the bank in Cooper v The Freedom Travel Group and Bank of Scotland.

Six Pump Court has a good bench when it comes to consumer law, and is well respected for its work in cases concerning food and trade regulations, as well as consumer credit. Its tenants regularly handle civil and criminal matters for local authorities, trade bodies, farms and retailers. Testament to the fact that chambers is a leading set in food crime and slaughterhouse regulation, it acted in proceedings before the Supreme Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union in a case concerning whether slaughterhouse operators have the legal right to challenge the decisions of Official Veterinarians declaring meat unfit for human consumption. Recently, members of the set have acted for Nandos in a food hygiene case brought by Liverpool City Council.