Because **it happens, and generally on a Friday afternoon. There are all sorts of reasons an Enforcement Authority might start an investigation. It could be a complaint, the result of a routine sample; a challenge to industry practice or simply a fishing trip.

A recent “Mock Trial” illustrated the unpredictable outcome of letting it go to court. Two experienced barristers argued the facts from a real case, before a “Bench” drawn from an audience of industry professionals. Their verdict was a unanimous “not guilty”, the audience voted and split at 55% guilty, 45% not guilty. The real case was a unanimous guilty verdict with an £8000 fine. No wonder FoodChain’s approach is to nip an investigation in the bud before it becomes a case of heads the lawyers win and tails you lose.

What You Get

Issue analysis

Is there a problem, where might it go, coping strategy

Challenge Response Service

Responding to initial enquiries, letters of caution and witness requests

Interview coaching and preparation

Preparing for and handling recorded interviews, liaison, negotiation with the Enforcement Authority, attending interviews

Fees: We’re sorry, we can’t tell how long it will all take so we charge on an hourly rate, but at £150 an hour it’s a lot less than a barrister and probably more effective, and we can agree a budget at the outset if you want us to.