biographies

Legal Know How

In 1979 Dennis Chapman received his Diploma in Trading Standards and started work as a Senior Trading Standards Officer in Bedfordshire. At that time, the Trading Standards Department was adopting a new 'Home Authority' concept, which meant businesses with Trading Standards or Consumer Law issues were directed to their local authority department to seek advice and assistance. Dennis was responsible for the supervision of Enforcement Officers and Consumer Advisors. This aspect of work involved close liaison with key staff within the businesses and instruction on the necessary Trading Standards procedures to be legally compliant. He was also involved with Trading Standards investigations of a number of large and medium companies. In 1990 Dennis, with all his inside knowledge, subsequently moved to Lawdata Ltd, a Trading Standards and Consumer Law consultancy for independent motor dealers. He was responsible for the staff of the legal department offering advice and assistance to subscribers via a helpline and casework service. In 1999 he began an MA in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations. The course involved aspects such as Human Resource Strategy, Human Resource Practice, Training and Development, Culture Management, Recruitment, Appraisals and Industrial Relations and Employment Law. From the beginning of 2001, along with other experienced Co-Directors, Dennis was involved with the formation of Lawgistics. He was appointed Director of Legal Services with responsibility for the delivery and management of the Lawgistics Legal Helpline and Casework Service. Dennis became a well known and respected lawyer within the motor industry helping thousands of businesses manage and resolve legal issues. He was also been instrumental in the obtaining OFT approval for a Code of Practice within the industry and sat on its arbitration panel.

Time with Lawgistics

Dennis was a founding member of Lawgistics.