This course is focused on the prosecution cases that arise out of the work of Trading Standards Departments in the important area of Consumer Protection. The course will be split into three sessions and will start with a refresher of the basic prosecution mechanisms which are applicable to all types of prosecution work. It will then focus on Trading Standards case work and consider some of the relevant legislation and offences using practical examples where possible.
The course will cover:
Basic procedure and considerations under the relevant Codes and Procedural Rules
Identifying the Defendant and the appropriate offences
Fraud Act 2006 – potential offences
Trade Marks Act 1994 – potential offences
Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 – potential offences
Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 – potential offences
Preparation for the first hearing
Dealing with Defence Representatives
Disposals
Sentencing Guidelines? – Managing the client’s expectations
Managing your witnesses in preparation for a trial
The Primary Authority Scheme and potential issues
The course will equip you to carry out your duties in role and help you to:
Feel confident with procedural issues
Understand the procedural rules and the importance of thorough preparation
Tackle weak cases with the client
Deal effectively and professionally with the defence
Fulfil your responsibilities confidently and correctly
See the case from beginning to end
This course is most suitable for those who are new to prosecution work within a local authority and/or within their first few years of practice. Delegates should already or intend to hold a right of audience in the magistrates’ court.
Stephen D. Turner, MStJ., MIoL, LLB
Stephen Turner is a solicitor with Kingston upon Hull City Council and specialises in regulatory prosecutions and licensing. He qualified in 1986 and was in private practice before moving into local government in 1994. Stephen has been solely responsible for advice to the Council and its Officers on all aspects of licensing law and procedure since 2004. He advises the Committee and Officers in connection with all applications, reviews, prosecutions, and appeals concerning licensing matters from taxis and private hire to sex shops, zoos and scrap metal dealers and is Legal Advisor to the Committee when in session. Stephen also deals with advocacy arising from decisions of the Committee by way of appeals or from the prosecution of offenders under all relevant legislation. Stephen is an experienced prosecutor for the regulatory departments of the Council dealing with all types of high-end cases from counterfeiting to food safety and fraud.
Stephen has presented lectures, workshops, and seminars to a variety of audiences including magistrates, solicitors, members of the Institute of Licensing, Council Members and Officers and others within his areas of interest and expertise.
Steve is a Past National Chair of Solicitors in Local Government (SLG now Lawyers in Local Government (LLG)), a former Chair and Branch Secretary of the Yorkshire and the Humber Branch of SLG/LLG, and the Litigation and Licensing Deputy National Lead (Licensing) for LLG. Steve is also the Vice Chairman of the Northeast Region of the Institute of Licensing (IoL) and an Independent Trainer, Lecturer, Mentor and Consultant. Steve chaired the IoL’s Working Party in 2018 which produced and published the Guidance on the relevance of previous convictions in Hackney and Private Hire Licencing.
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09:30 - 13:00
Online
