Department of Trade and Industry: Legal Services Directorate A and predecessors:...

This series contains records of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Solicitors Office Divisions and their successors.

The ABP records relate specifically to the privatisation of the Teddington site, including the transfer of land ownership.

The ATE records that have been selected cover changes relating specifically to the DTI such as modernisation, privatisation of DTI laboratories and the use of DTI sites. They include the establishment of a new Departmental Board, the privatisation of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (LGC) and the reconfiguration of the Teddington site of the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). Also included are records reflecting the government's views towards possible changes in the arrangements for supervision and regulation of Lloyd's of London and the authorisation of Equitas as the reinsurer of Lloyd's.

The LOA records cover copyright issues, trade marks, patents and industrial and intellectual property. The records include an EU Directive on copyright interests on the implementation in the UK; the implementation of EC Rental and Cable and Satellite Directives; Statutory Instruments required on the EU Directive covering Copyright and Right of Performers; and complaints from the EC over compliancy issues. The Legal A5 team liaised closely with the Patent Office, therefore including many files which have extensive Patent Office input from the European Court of Justice cases to advise and policy discussions including directives and bills such as the Trade Mark Act 1994. Records also cover the Newspaper Licensing Authority and Olympic Symbol Protection.

In former reference order by accession.

See also forthcoming series NK 89 and NK 93

• Department of Trade and Industry, Legal Services Directorate A, 1996-2000
• Department of Trade and Industry, The Solicitor's Office, Solicitor's Division B, 1991-1996

From 2026 Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Topics

Trade and commerce

Research

Official publications

The Solicitors Office Divisions (1991-1996) were split into 5 divisions: SOL A, B, C, D, and E. Later in 1996 the divisions were reorganised into the Legal Services Directorate: LEGAL A, B, C, D and E, until 2007. SOL B (later LEGAL A) provided legal advice on company law, insolvency, industrial issues and financial assistance to industry, intellectual property standards and weights of measures.

The ABP records were created by Legal A4 which provided advice on industry and regional development. This included steel; minerals and metals; Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Acts; the aerospace industry; vehicles; mechanical and process engineering; shipbuilding; computer misuse; Data Protection Act; information technology; research and development; chemicals and textiles; Outer Space Act; financial assistance for business and industry; Business Links; support for innovation; EC State Aids; European Regional Development; EC Structural Funds; Devolution; and Statutory EC Rights to Interest (other than the National Weights and Measures Laboratory).

The ATE prefix was created by SOL B1, later Legal A1, which gave advice on insurance matters.

The LOA prefix was created by Legal A5 which gave advice on intellectual property (IP) including copyright and Crown Copyright; design rights; performers' rights; trade marks; registered designs and patents; and the ownership and licensing of IP.