Derek Millard-Smith

Call 0345 872 6666


Retail Consumer, Trading and Parking Enforcement Law Expertise

Derek is a Partner at JMW with over 20 years of Consumer and Trading Law experience, previously at an international law firm he provides valuable and practical assistance to corporate, retail and individual clients.

Derek is known for his ability to nip regulatory investigations in the bud, working with clients and regulators alike to achieve regulatory compliance. His ability to find practical legal solutions in most instances and maximise damage limitation in the others, avoids regulator concerns escalating to sanctions that would cause significant damage to Consumers, client reputations and their commercial viability.

Derek is the leading specialist Lawyer in the UK Parking Sector, leading the recent related judicial reviews resulting in withdrawal of legislation that if left unchallenged could have caused significant detriment to compliant motorists, landowners and the local and national economy. In this capacity and a such he and his team are appointed by the British Parking Association (BPA) to represent its broad membership and in particular those parking enforcement companies and Local Authorities who are BPA Approved Operators. Derek assists these members with compliance to ensure they treat consumers fairly.

Derek is a rare defence solicitor member of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, he is well known and respected by regulator and local authority enforcement teams who are happy to work with him to assist his clients.

Derek’s specialist consumer areas include, Parking, Trading Standards, Retail Due diligence and compliance, Manufacturing and supply chain, Product safety, Product recall, Parking enforcement legislation, Consumer Credit permissions, Consumer Credit authorisations, Debt and Claims management, Advertising Standards amongst others. In his capacity as a trading standards solicitor, Derek provides compliance advice as well as managing clients investigated by regulatory bodies including Trading Standards, Consumer Credit, FCA, OFT, FOS, MOJ, ICO, and MHRA amongst others.

Derek’s has acted and acts for:

Parking – 18 of the 20 largest Parking management companies including involvement in the 2015 Supreme Court Court Case Parkingeye vs Beavis linked to Cavendish Square Holding v Makdessi [2015 UKSC 67

Retail - 3 of the Britain’s top 4 Supermarkets, a leading outdoor clothing company and a major Global merchandising, sourcing and product development retail partner.

Leisure Industry – Britain’s leading holiday park company

Manufacturing, distribution and supply chain – A Major European Haulier

As well as compliance and due diligence advice for new start-ups, giving them the best chance for a bright and productive future.

Testimonials

Financial Services Expertise

Derek has significant experience within the Debt management and Claims management sectors advising companies on historic and recent Consumer Credit Regulation including appealing to the First Tier Consumer Credit Appeal’s Tribunal (CCAT). He also regularly advises on the FCA handbook and application and due diligence requirements for interim and full permissions for the provision of consumer credit.

Motorsports

Derek also assists with the management and sponsorship of teams and drivers, in all levels of motorsport from grass roots to F1, recently receiving instructions and acting for Lotus F1 Team. He is involved with rising star Josh Webster in the Porsche Carrera Cup and Welch Motorsport in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC).

Media profile

Derek has also regularly appeared on National and local TV and Radio discussing Consumer and Parking related matters.

Memberships:

Press