Clinically Proven? Prove It! – The latest ASA ruling on misleading claims in beauty product advertising

The recent Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruling on 111 Skin Ltd demonstrates the continuing scrutiny around the term “clinically proven” for cosmetic, skin and haircare product advertising and underlines the importance of having robust, objective, scientific evidence to support claims made regarding the efficacy of those products in ads. In this decision, a complaint had been made about claims made in respect of a product listing for the…

First decisions under the new “less healthy” food and drink advertising restrictions – An amuse-bouche from the ASA?

The new restrictions on advertising “less healthy” food and drink products (“LHFD“) came into effect on 5 January 2026 and the ASA’s first set of rulings under the new regime have now landed. Whilst the outcomes aren’t particularly startling, there are some useful takeaways, so here is a breakdown of the decisions and what they tell us… Lidl and Iceland complaints upheld
Both retailers were told not to run the ads again
Lidl paid an…

Neha Tarabadkar

Neha began her training contract at Lee & Thompson in 2022 having joined in 2021 as a paralegal in our Film, TV & Games department, soon after completing the firm’s Vacation Scheme. Ahead of joining Lee & Thompson, she was a paralegal within the private client team at Mishcon de Reya LLP.
Neha obtained an Anthropology degree at the University of Durham, followed by the law conversion at BPP University. Neha studied for the LPC w…

Shay Kennedy

Shay acts for producers, creative talent, global brands and agencies on advertising, theatre and live entertainment projects His practice includes advertising, marketing, brand partnerships, talent and influencer deals, theatre, live events, technology and data protection.
He plays an active role in the firm’s Advertising & Marketing group, working with advertising, marketing and creative agencies, events companies and start-ups across a ra…

Sam Goodman

Sam regularly provides specialist input in relation to performing arts productions; advertising campaigns; talent and agency deals; sponsorships and endorsements; digital solutions and the protection and licensing of IP.
He heads up the firm’s Theatre & Immersive practice and is a key member of the firm’s Advertising & Marketing and Digital & Tech practices.
Named as a Key Lawyer in the Legal 500, Sam speaks at industry events…

Pia Hutchinson

Since joining Lee & Thompson in 2024, Pia has worked with clients in theatre, live events, fashion and design, music, advertising, media buying, film, TV and publishing.
Pia trained and qualified as an associate at one of Ireland’s leading law firms, Dillon Eustace, before joining Mayer Brown’s Corporate & Security group in London.  She brings in-house experience from her time on secondment at Stepstone Group while training i…

Nick Swimer

He has acted as counsel to various advertising industry bodies, helped draft the US advertising trade body’s media buying template agreement and has contributed to various industry advertising reports including in relation to programmatic supply chain transparency issues.
Nick trained at Nabarro (now CMS) and after 5 years joined Channel 4 as Head of Legal for Advertising, Governance and Regulatory Affairs and acted as Board Secretary to   th…