Legal firm Lawgistics, which specialises in providing legal help to the motor industry, has launched a dealer support programme called Black Box, aimed at ensuring they are aware of the law and ensuring they can demonstrate to enforcement agencies they have taken all reasonable steps to comply with trading standards, consumer and employment, health and safety and VAT legislation.

The Black Box starts with a full audit of a dealer's operation and goes on to provide information guides on the law, staff communication procedures, training manuals and log sheets, plus offers a telephone advice and counselling service. If appropriate Lawgistics will provide representation in negotiations with enforcement agencies.

Senior partner, David Combes said: “It can be difficult not to break the law because so much legislation exists. What's more it is constantly changing and dealers need a service such as ours to keep their information up to date and accurate. The motor industry is at the top of a hit list issued by the Office of Fair Trading and dealers can expect to be mystery shopped increasingly by Trading Standards officers. The Black Box process provides an effective defence for dealers.”

For more information call 01480 455500.