I want to take to court a well known food producer. They make refridgerated and frozen meals for a sector of the market. They have, no only, broken labelling laws, by not stating hydrogenated on thier ingredients lists, but have also marketed thier food as being cholesterol free, healthy for your heart etc. When actually, the majority of thier products are loaded with hydrogenated oils.
I've been eating thier products for about 12 years, I always check ingrediants for unhealthy additives such as this and have been mislead to believe that this was healthy food.
I want to take this company to court for poisening my arteries and not giving me an informed choice.
How do I do this?
What kind of solicitor / lawyer do I need to visit?
Where do I start?
(I have written to the company, several times, with no response).
Any serious answers are greatly appreciated.
2006-11-03 07:37:10 · 14 answers · asked by SausageBrain 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Try your local Trading Standards Office to start.
2006-11-03 07:41:20 · answer #1 · answered by migdalski 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The answer is you don't. This is a matter for your local Trading Standards Office. There is a link http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/ which gives information about making complaints.
The reason why it is inappropriate for you to pursue this yourself is that these people will have recourse to laboratories for carrying out tests and food scientists who will appear in court on their behalf. If you are carrying out a prosecution, then you will have the burden of proof, i.e. the job of proving that the food is inferior. How are you going to do this? It would cost a fortune to have the food scientifically examined and to pay expert witnesses to give evidence on your behalf. What's more, where big business is involved, such expert witnesses might be reluctant to appear in court to support your case.
If the Trading Standards Office cannot take up the cudgels for you for any reason, then it might be an idea to get in touch with the Consumer Association. This link will demonstrate how this is very much up their street. They'd love it! http://www.which.co.uk/reports_and_campaigns/food_and_drink/campaigns/nutrition/index.jsp
2006-11-03 08:31:40 · answer #2 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you have piles of money you dont stand a snowballs chance in hell! You may well be right, but proving it is another matter. You would need all sorts of expert opinions, lawyers, barristers, food anaysis etc etc. This sort of action would be a high court issue and likely to run for anything up to 5 years before it even got to court. Then theres appeals and the cost they run up. Your best bet is to get a newspaper interested as they can put pressure on the companies.
2006-11-03 07:54:42 · answer #3 · answered by huggz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Sausage.
First of all you need to approach trading standards to resolve the problem generally.
As for you personally, you are looking at sueing in tort.
I am not going into all the possible torts here but you will need to talk to a solicitor who is a tort specialist.
Be warned though, this could get messy and expensive.
Good luck.
2006-11-03 22:20:10 · answer #4 · answered by LYN W 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, are you sure you want to litigate? I'm just aware that Britain is quickly becoming like America in terms of litigation and I'm not sure the answer to problems is to apportion blame...
That said I don't really know the background of your case ie exactly what your medical condition is.
My advice to you would be to stay away from any lawyer who advertises on TV. "No win no fee" actually translates to "if you win, we'll take a massive percentage".
Ask your friends, neighbours, people you trust. Find someone in your area and be prepared to shell out a bit of cash along the way.
But like I said, give it some thought...
Best of luck.
2006-11-03 07:55:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Walk away.
You will find a law firm to represent you, but getting the matter to court will be more difficult. The company will argue that you do not have locus standi - i.e. that you do not have a sufficient vested interest to bring a claim.
It will cost you a vast amount of money, and odds are you will lose.
2006-11-03 10:18:20 · answer #6 · answered by Matt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
good advice see the trading standard before taking on a firm of substantial size as they can afford top barristers and if you wish to compete your going to need a big bank balance
2006-11-03 07:48:13 · answer #7 · answered by srracvuee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get in touch with the tabloid newspapers like the daily mirror. they will take up the case on your behalf...would be interested to know who you are talking about by the way.
2006-11-03 07:59:27 · answer #8 · answered by grumpcookie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a great lawyer! One is not affraid of taking them on.
Good luck.
2006-11-03 07:39:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Speak to the yanks on this one, they can seuw for the world, good on em.
2006-11-03 07:52:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋