The legal department informs DMA members of legislation, proposed by both the UK Government and the European Union institutions. The legal team welcomes feedback from members to assist with the lobbying of MPs and MEPs in order to protect the interests of the direct marketing industry and DMA members from potentially harmful legislation.

The DMA maintains a wide network of contacts in Westminster, Whitehall and Brussels and regularly submits representations and submissions in response to Government and EU consultations on proposed law.

DMA members are kept abreast of all legal developments via the DMA Weekly Bulletin and a monthly Legal and Public Affairs Newsletter.

As well as providing legal advice and undertaking lobbying activity, the legal department represents the direct marketing industry on the Committee of Advertising Practice ('CAP'), the Broadcasting Committee of Advertising Practice ('BCAP'), the Advertising Association, CBI Working Parties and the FEDMA legal affairs committee. The department also inputs into the drafting and revision of the British Code of Advertising, Direct Marketing and Sales Promotion ('the CAP Code'), and works with the DMA's Councils and specialist working parties to draft Codes of Practice and Best Practice Guidelines.