Powered by Lexis+®
Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
CASE STUDY

“What I spend on my yearly subscription, equals to a day's billable hours for me not to mention time efficiency and peace of mind.”

Jai Stern

Access all documents on Trader

Trader meaning

What does Trader mean?
In legal practice, a trader is anyone dealing in a professional or business capacity (as opposed to a consumer) in relation to a commercial practice or contract. UK consumer legislation, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, defines a trader as a person acting for purposes relating to their trade, business, craft or profession, whether acting personally or through another person acting in the trader’s name or on the trader’s behalf. For the Consumer Rights Act 2015, “business” expressly includes the activities of any government department and any local or public authority, so such bodies can be traders when supplying goods, services or digital content. Irish law uses materially the same definition in consumer protection legislation (for example, the Consumer Protection Act 2007 and regulations implementing the Consumer Rights Directive), and likewise treats persons acting in the name of or on behalf of a trader as traders, including public bodies when acting commercially. The classification matters: it distinguishes B2C from B2B, and determines pre-contract information duties, cancellation rights (distance and off‑premises sales), statutory remedies, unfair terms controls and prohibitions on unfair commercial practices across...
Speed up all aspects of your legal work with tools that help you to work faster and smarter. Win cases, close deals and grow your business–all whilst saving time and reducing risk.

View the related Checklists about Trader

CHECKLISTS
UK consumer information obligations: comparative checklist of CCR 2013, PSR 2009 and E‑Commerce Regulations 2002, with precedence guidance, DMCCA 2024 interplay and B2B overlap

This Checklist This Checklist presents a comparison table outlining the key consumer information obligations set out in: the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, SI 2013/3134 (CCR 2013) the Provision of Services Regulations 2009, SI 2009/2999 (PSR 2009) the Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002, SI 2002/2013 (E-Commerce Regulations 2002) As shown by the table below, numerous information duties in the PSR 2009 and the E-Commerce Regulations 2002 correspond with those in the CCR 2013. That said, both the PSR 2009 and the E-Commerce Regulations 2002 also set out further specific information requirements that traders must take into account where those rules apply, and this Checklist is designed to support traders in meeting their compliance obligations. The focus of this Checklist is the information requirements contained in the UK legislation listed above...

Read More Right Arrow
CHECKLISTS
UK business vehicles: tax comparison of sole traders, partnerships (including LLPs and limited partnerships), and companies

This table sets out a comparison of the tax treatment for: sole traders; partnerships (for these purposes covering general partnerships, limited liability partnerships (LLPs) and limited partnerships); and companies. It does not take into account any reliefs or exemptions that might be available to specific taxpayers, nor any anti-avoidance provisions that could apply in particular situations. For rates and thresholds in the current tax year, see Practice Note: Key UK tax rates, thresholds and allowances. For further detail on the tax position of each business vehicle, see Practice Note: Forms of business vehicle—tax summary. For more on selecting between business vehicles, see Practice Note: Tax influences on choice of business vehicle. Point of comparison Tax treatment Sole trader: Not a separate taxable entity — the sole trader is taxed personally on their trading activities. Partnership: Not a separate taxable entity — a partner is taxed as an individual on a notional trade reflecting their share of the partnership. Company: A separate...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related Flowcharts about Trader

FLOWCHARTS
Statutory lease extension of flats (LRHUDA 1993): tenant’s claim flowchart—s.42 and s.45, FTT/LVT and County Court deadlines, redevelopment ground (England and Wales)

This Checklist This checklist sets out key questions and considerations for local authority officers to weigh when defining the scope and content of a criminal investigation into a suspected criminal offence. What offence(s) are under investigation? Examine the statute and determine: the elements of the offence; and who may commit the offence What is the legal status of a potential defendant(s)? Is the potential defendant: a registered company? an LLP? a partnership? a sole trader? an unincorporated association? an individual?...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related News about Trader

NEWS
UK commercial law weekly update: contract judgments, ASA ruling, ICO enforcement consultation, HMRC customs guidance and Russian sanctions advice—6 November 2025

In this issue: Advertising, marketing and sponsorship Contracts Data protection International Supply chain LexTalk®Commercial: a Lexis®Nexis community Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Advertising, marketing and sponsorship ASA rulings—5 November 2025 The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) received a single complaint about advertising by On The Beach Ltd, which stated that customers booking particular holidays would be given free access to airport lounges. The ASA upheld the complaint. See: LNB News 05/11/2025 27... Contracts Ms Amlin Marine NV (on behalf of Ms Amlin Syndicate AML/2001) v King Trader Ltd [2025] EWCA Civ 1387 The Court of Appeal (Civil Division) dismissed the appellants’ challenge and confirmed that a ‘pay first’ clause in a marine insurance policy was enforceable against the Charterer. The policy had been issued by MS Amlin Marine NV to Bintan Mining Corporation (the Charterer), which had chartered the vessel Solomon Trader...

Read More Right Arrow
NEWS
UK TMT weekly briefing: Getty v Stability AI trade mark ruling; OSA age assurance; High Court database right decision; ICO spam fine; ASA decision; spectrum trading amendments

In this issue: Media Internet Databases Data protection Advertising, marketing and sponsorship Telecommunications LexTalk®TMT: a Lexis®Nexis community Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Useful information Media Getty gets pyrrhic victory in UK stability AI case Law360, London: On 4 November 2025, Getty Images persuaded a London court that artificial intelligence (AI) developer Stability AI had produced a small number of images infringing the stock image company’s trade marks. However, the court was not convinced that the model itself breached the photo giant’s intellectual property in this landmark dispute. See: Getty gets pyrrhic victory in UK stability AI case. Internet Ofcom launches call for evidence on age assurance effectiveness and app store safety under OSA 2023 Ofcom has opened a call for evidence to inform two statutory reports required by the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023). The reports will review...

Read More Right Arrow
NEWS
Seddon v DVLA: Court of Appeal (England and Wales) confirms no duty of care to buyers of historic vehicles relying on V5C; restates pure economic loss duty criteria

Seddon v Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency [2019] EWCA Civ 14, [2019] All ER (D) 139 (Jan) What are the practical implications of the judgment? The Court of Appeal in Seddon v Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency held that the agency owes no duty of care to would‑be buyers of registered historic vehicles, notwithstanding knowledge that a car is being marketed and that questions have been raised about its identity and age. Of broader significance, and useful to practitioners generally, is Hamblen LJ’s succinct restatement of the factors the courts regard as pertinent when deciding whether to recognise a duty of care in claims for pure economic loss, providing a guide to the circumstances in which such a duty may, in principle, be imposed. What was the background? The respondent is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Transport, tasked under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (VERA 1994) with registering and licensing drivers and vehicles across the UK, and with collecting vehicle excise...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related Practice Notes about Trader

PRACTICE NOTES
UK taxation of trading by trustees and personal representatives: badges of trade, computation of profits, capital allowances, basis period reform, loss relief, and reporting

Trustees and personal representatives can, in fact, carry on a trade. For example, where a self-employed trader dies, the personal representative may keep the business running until it is wound down or sold. In the same way, trustees or interest in possession beneficiaries might be trading and could qualify for reliefs such as roll-over relief or business asset disposal relief. The broad tax rules governing trading apply to all traders alike, whether they are individuals, trustees, or personal representatives. This Practice Note sets out those principles below. Is there a trade? The key issue to examine is whether there is a trade. At times this will be clear, for instance when personal representatives step in to continue the deceased’s business; however, in other situations even a solitary transaction can amount to a trade. As an illustration, trustees who buy a property to renovate may, depending on the circumstances, be regarded as operating a property development business. If so, any gain on the later sale would fall within income...

Read More Right Arrow
PRACTICE NOTES
Lawyers’ Guide to Consumer Complaint Handling under UK Law: Policies, ADR, Remedies (CRA 2015, CCR 2013, DMCCA 2024), Enforcement, Product Liability, Insurance and PR

This Practice Note is a practical ‘how to’ guide on managing consumer complaints. It is a clear and commercially focused document that sets out the processes, systems, policies and procedures organisations should have in place, from first contact with a consumer, right through escalation, to the subsequent PR handling and management of adverse publicity. Consumers are a sub-set of all customers. This Practice Note concentrates on specific individuals acting for purposes that are wholly or mainly outside their trade, business, craft or profession. Where this note expressly refers to customers, it means customers in their consumer capacity. Where appropriate, this Practice Note signposts readers to additional detailed content on relevant consumer law and related practice, where necessary. Why is good customer service necessary? It is vital that customers have a positive experience with the trader so they return again and again. Customer service processes and procedures must be capable of looking after customers, whatever the issue, and complaints must be dealt with promptly when they arise, both from...

Read More Right Arrow
PRACTICE NOTES
Business assets in financial remedy proceedings: valuation, expert evidence, non-matrimonial elements, Wells sharing, share transfers/sales, and piercing the corporate veil after Prest v Petrodel (England and Wales)

Practice Note This Practice Note outlines the courts’ treatment of business assets in financial remedy proceedings, covering matters such as whether those assets might be realised by sale, the circumstances for lifting the corporate veil and the effect of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Prest v Petrodel Resources, as well as the deployment of expert opinion. It further reviews situations in which business assets may, to varying degrees, be classed as non-matrimonial/civil partnership property, and how risk is apportioned between the parties as between assets that are ‘copper-bottomed’ and those that are ‘risk laden’, with reference to Wells sharing. Business interests—whether shareholdings in a limited company, stakes in a partnership or LLP, or the assets of a sole trader—form part of the pool of marital/civil partnership assets alongside other property or investments. Unlike land or buildings, bank balances and portfolio holdings, a business interest is often hard to quantify and typically lacks liquidity. A business interest is not merely an item to be costed by an accountant and inserted...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related Precedents about Trader

PRECEDENTS
Legal Services Procurement—ITT Schedule: Tenderer Questionnaire and Confidential Organisation Information Requirements

[ Insert organisation’s name ] will treat the following information as confidential: Tenderer’s name [ Insert name ] Address; all offices; registered address [ Insert details ] Telephone, fax, email(s), website [ Insert details ] [ Company registration number if applicable ] [ [ Insert details ] ] Legal status [ Insert details eg, limited company, sole trader, LLP, partnership ] Summary of organisation, activities, and years providing Services to organisations [ Insert background information ] Board/leadership composition and organisational chart with departmental functions [ Insert details; attach chart/illustration if appropriate ] [ Holdings over [ insert figure, eg 10 ]%: persons/undertakings controlling the Tenderer’s capital or votes, and organisations the Tenderer controls ] [ [ Insert details, contacts, documents, particulars and holding periods if applicable ] ] [ Joint venture, shareholders’ partnership or similar agreement ] [ [ Insert key terms if applicable ] ] Total staff numbers by partners, directors, assistants, secretaries, etc [ Insert details...

Read More Right Arrow
PRECEDENTS
Precedent party designation and execution clauses for Scottish property documents (individuals, companies incl. insolvency, LLPs, LPs, partnerships), with signing and witnessing options

1 Individual 1.1 Individual or sole trader party designation clause [ insert full name of party ], trading as [ insert trading name ], of [ insert address ] (the [ insert defined term for party ]). 1.2 Individual signing Executed by [ insert individual’s name ] at [ insert place ] on [ insert date and month ] 20[ year ] ................................................. Signature of [ insert individual’s name ] witnessed by: ................................................. Full Name (Witness) ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. Address ................................................. Signature of Witness 1.3 Individual signing by Power of Attorney Executed for [ insert individual’s name ] by [ insert Attorney’s name ] [ his OR her ] attorney under Power of Attorney dated [ insert date of Power of Attorney ] at [ insert place ] on [ insert date and month ] 20[ year ] ................................................. Signature of [ insert Attorney’s name ] witnessed by: ................................................. Full Name (Witness) ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. Address ....................................................

Read More Right Arrow
PRECEDENTS
Precedent will clause: gift of unincorporated sole trader business, including assets, contracts, premises and liabilities, with options for inheritance tax apportionment and secured debt treatment

I leave [ free of tax ] to [ full name of beneficiary ] of [ beneficiary’s full address ] my business of [ nature of business ] [ also called [ name of business or trading name where relevant ] ] at [ full address(es) of where business carried on ] together with all assets: all goodwill, machinery, plant, equipment, stock, vehicles and other effects; all debts due and monies credited at any bank or elsewhere, and the benefit of all contracts; any freehold or leasehold premises it uses [ free of charges, to be cleared free of tax from the residue under [ clause 7 ] of this Will, including costs and interest accrued before redemption ] but subject to [ paying any such charges and to ] the beneficiary assuming all business liabilities; where leasehold property is included they must pay rent, comply with the tenant’s covenants and conditions, and keep my estate indemnified against all liability (before or after my...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related Q&As about Trader

Q&As
CCR 2013 cancellation exemption: made to order, existing design

Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 (CCR 2013), SI 2013/3134 Took effect on 13 June 2014, these rules govern the majority of agreements made between a ‘trader’ and a ‘consumer’. They set out clear general rights to cancel goods and services, including a longer ‘cooling‑off’ window for distance and off‑premises contracts—up to 14 days after delivery of the goods or conclusion of the contract (for services)—replacing the earlier seven calendar days...

Read More Right Arrow
Q&As
Sole trader bank account working capital in financial remedies

In financial remedy proceedings, it is usual for one party to earn on a self-employed footing as a sole trader in practice. Instead of using a separate legal personality, for example a company acting as the primary earning vehicle and paying salary and dividends, they trade in a chosen style or their own name and settle personal income tax on profits. Business costs are set off in the ordinary manner, and accounts are normally drawn up for this very purpose. Some sole traders simply run income and outgoings through a personal bank account, while others prefer to operate from a separate, dedicated business account...

Read More Right Arrow
Q&As
Debt Claims PAP case law: issue after PAP breach or wrong protocol

We have been unable to locate any case law on the exact matter raised in your query at this time. Nevertheless, please kindly consider the following further details, which you may find helpful. When the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims (the Protocol) applies The Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims (effective from 1 October 2017) is engaged when a business—such as a sole trader or public body—seeks recovery of a debt from an individual, including a sole trader. It is inapplicable to business-to-business debts except where the debtor is a sole trader (Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims, para 1.1)...

Read More Right Arrow