A Practical Guide to the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013

The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 provides a mandatory licensing regime for the metal recycling industry, which is worth about £7 billion per annum. It bans trading in cash and creates new criminal offences that carry unlimited fines. Since it came into force on 1 October 2013, there has been no case law clarifying its meaning and scope, although its meaning is potentially broad, and perhaps broader than was intended. In the absence of guidance from the courts, this book aims to place the Act in context and highlight its ambiguities and possibilities. It contains a chapter on data protection, as an extension of the Act’s identity and record keeping requirements.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mariel Irvine, solicitor and principal of Mariel Irvine Solicitors, founded the firm in 2002, after some years as a partner in an insurance litigation firm in the City. She advised the police, insurers and the metal recycling industry on the drafting of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, and also its subsequent review by the Home Office in 2017. Scrap metal dealers come to her for advice on licensing, and also compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Insurers, police, the Prison Governors’ Association, the Police Superintendents’ Association, the British Metal Recycling Association and others regularly instruct her regarding assault, stress at work and harassment claims; inquests and inquiries; pay, discrimination and other employment disputes; and privacy and data protection issues.

Chambers has recommended Mariel as a leading practitioner in Police Law over a number of years. In 2018 the Parliamentary Review, an independent publication which aims to share best practice among policy makers and business leaders, invited her to contribute to their inaugural Law and Justice Review, as a best practice representative. She regularly gives presentations and seminars.