Law firm sees trading standards opportunity

OPPRESSIVE and over zealous trading standards officers may be damaging legitimate British businesses, a top lawyer has warned.

Mike Rainford spoke out in the wake of the flawed investigation into controversial kitchen boss Vance Miller who was cleared last week of conspiracy to defraud the public after the case against him was thrown out of court.

Solicitor Mr Rainford from Manchester criminal defence company Burton Copeland, who helped 44-year-old Mr Miller prepare his case, which he represented himself, said: “Inexperienced and often junior trading standards are being used in complex and difficult investigations, many of which should not go to court.

“The Miller case was the largest ever prosecuted. In excess of 270,000 documents were taken in a raid by 100 police officers to back up trading standards.

“The oppressive and over zealous nature of this investigation could have broken a successful business. I believe there are other cases like this in the UK which may be just as flawed and if they are not defended properly, trading standards will get away with what might be a witch-hunt.”

Burton Copeland has now set up its own dedicated team of four experienced solicitors to handle complex trading cases. They are planning to recruit an additional expert lawyer.

Mr Rainford added: “We have paved a new way forward and we have the expertise to prevent miscarriages of justice.”