Handing out leaflets

[Louis.]

I am going to be sending leaflets out mostly via post however some are personally handed out by staff. Are there any laws which state I need to get some sort of license first ?

Any help much appreciated.

[lambogenie]

nope, you only need a license if you are planning to sell something in the streat, handing out leaflets is fine assuming the leaflets don't contain something naughty or would require regulatory approval.

i.e leaflets supporting the taliban would require home office approval since you could be done by the police under terrorism laws. leaflets promoting the BNP could be done under promotion of discrimination laws.

On a more commercial note if its for a mucky sauna then you could get done for pandering or soliciting and if you are selling investments, financial services or loans then the leaflet will require FSA regulatory approval.

[superlightr]

if they are for free food - pls send some my direction......

[stepej]

lambogenie said:

nope, you only need a license if you are planning to sell something in the streat, handing out leaflets is fine assuming the leaflets don't contain something naughty or would require regulatory approval.

Not strictly true.
Our local council (Kirklees) is just bringing in an order banning the distribution of leaflets on certain streets.
This is primarily aimed at the invites to clubs they give out to the younger element on a Friday/Saturday night which normally end up littering the street but does ban all free leaflets.

Best to check with the council first to see if any such order exists where you're thinking of distributing.

[Piglet]

You don't say where you'll be handing them out, if it's on premises owned by someone, you'll need their consent - so be careful of shopping centres, race circuits etc.

[superlightr]

actually - if its free ANYTHING send a few in my direction...