Legal and regulation

Helpful information on the advertising rules for ads about legal services and regulatory matters.

In addition to our rules, advertisers have an obligation to stick to any relevant legislation that relates to their sector, product or service. Our rules are designed to reflect the law, and some sections of the Advertising Code have explicit references to relevant legislation. However advertisers’ legal obligations are not covered in full and it remains the advertiser’s responsibility to seek out legal advice and make sure they have taken any relevant legislation into account when preparing their ads.

We do not enforce or interpret the law and if we believe it is better to refer a matter, or enquirer, to a law enforcement body, we will do so.

The main rules advertisers should be aware of are: ads should comply with the law and should not incite anyone to break it, and advertisers must not state or imply a product can legally be sold if it cannot.

+ Read more - Show less

Legal and regulation

Helpful information on the advertising rules for ads about legal services and regulatory matters.

Latest news

Like, follow and subscribe to our influencer marketing advice

Disposing of misleading ads

What’s the story when advertising ticket sales?

Top tips on targeting and placement

The industry panels that help the ASA and CAP in their regulatory decision making

Royally important advice on Royalty in ads

Latest rulings

Help getting it right

Popular advice

Influencers' guide to making clear that ads are ads

Recognising ads: Social media and influencer marketing

Promotional marketing: terms and conditions and significant conditions

Relevant codes

32 Scheduling

04 Harm and offence

Appendix 1 The DMCCA and the BPRs

How the system works

31 Other categories of radio advertisements that require central copy clearance

Appendix 2 Extracts from directive 89-552-EEC as amended (audiovisual media services directive)

01 Compliance

Appendix 3 VSPs Advertising rules for video-sharing platforms regulated by statute

10 Prohibited categories

Appendix 2 Advertising rules for on-demand services regulated by statute

03 Misleading advertising

07 Political and controversial matters

Appendix 1 Statutory framework for the regulation of broadcast advertising

07 Political advertisements

02 Recognition of marketing communications

03 Misleading advertising

Appendix 3 The DMCCA and the BPRs

01 Compliance

04 Harm and offence