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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. 

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Latest news

  • A pulse check for health apps: when does software become a medical device?

    • CAP News
    • 08 October 2026
  • Regulating the Illusion of Intelligence in Ads

    • CAP News
    • 27 August 2026
  • Less healthy foods – an overview of LHF

    • CAP News
    • 27 August 2026
  • Would you kindly read our video game marketing tips?

    • CAP News
    • 27 August 2026
  • All you need to know about weapons in ads

    • CAP News
    • 23 July 2026
  • Wishful drinking - hangover cures and the Code

    • CAP News
    • 09 July 2026
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Popular advice

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    • AdviceOnline
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Relevant codes

  • 04 Harm and offence

    • Non-broadcast
  • 07 Political advertisements

    • Non-broadcast
  • 10 Prohibited categories

    • Broadcast
  • 04 Harm and offence

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

    • Non-broadcast
  • 01 Compliance

    • Broadcast
  • Appendix 1 Statutory framework for the regulation of broadcast advertising

    • Broadcast
  • 07 Political and controversial matters

    • Broadcast
  • 03 Misleading advertising

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

    • Broadcast
  • 01 Compliance

    • Non-broadcast
  • Appendix 3 The DMCCA and the BPRs

    • Broadcast
  • How the system works

    • Non-broadcast
  • 03 Misleading advertising

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

    • Non-broadcast
  • 02 Recognition of marketing communications

    • Non-broadcast
  • 31 Other categories of radio advertisements that require central copy clearance

    • Broadcast
  • 32 Scheduling

    • Broadcast
  • Appendix 1 The DMCCA and the BPRs

    • Non-broadcast
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Contact us:

The Advertising Standards Authority Ltd. (trading as ASA), registered in England and Wales, Registered Number 0733214
 
The Advertising Standards Authority (Broadcast) Ltd. (trading as ASAB), registered in England and Wales, Registered Number 5130991
 
The Committee of Advertising Practice Ltd. (CAP), registered in England and Wales, Registered Number 8310744
 
The Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice Ltd. (BCAP), registered in England and Wales, Registered Number 5126412
 
All companies listed are registered at: Castle House, 37-45 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4LS [view on map]

Tel: 020 7492 2222

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