Watchdog warns UK high-cost lenders about exploitation – The Guardian

Posted August 7th, 2020 in advertising, complaints, consumer protection, debts, interest, loans, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘The UK’s financial watchdog has warned high-cost lenders about irresponsible repeat lending and exploitative marketing that risks pushing vulnerable borrowers into a cycle of debt.’

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The Guardian, 6th August 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Revealed: Most barristers failing to comply with transparency rules – Legal Futures

Posted July 30th, 2020 in barristers, consumer protection, fees, legal services, news by sally

‘Little more than a third (37%) of barristers, chambers and firms regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) are fully complying with its rules on price and service transparency, it has emerged.’

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Legal Futures, 30th July 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Ofgem takes action on ‘unscrupulous’ UK energy brokers – The Guardian

Posted July 29th, 2020 in care homes, charities, consumer protection, energy, news, ombudsmen by tracey

‘Regulators’ plans aim to stop energy brokers overcharging small businesses and local bodies including care homes.’

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The Guardian, 29th July 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Royal Mail fined for late letters and overcharging – BBC News

Posted July 13th, 2020 in consumer protection, fines, news, postal service by sally

‘Royal Mail has been fined £1.5m by the regulator for being late with first class deliveries and overcharging customers for second class stamps.’

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BBC News, 10th July 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

SRA to review regime for checking solicitors’ competence – Legal Futures

‘The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is to launch a review of its approach to solicitors’ continuing competence, it has emerged.’

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Legal Futures, 9th July 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Expanded Scope to the Package Holidays Regulations: An Overview – 33 Bedford Row

Posted July 8th, 2020 in chambers articles, consumer protection, coronavirus, holidays, news by sally

‘The package travel industry is going through unprecedented times, however, there may be some positive signs on the horizon. Travel is likely to return and, as Augustine of Hippo said, the world is a book and those who do not travel only read one page. Taking a long term view, it might be said that, in keeping with Augustine’s description of the world, people will continue to read as many pages as possible, because normally, holiday travel is a key event in most people’s annual calendar. It is estimated that 9 in 10 people from the UK went on a holiday in 2019 and in the same year, outbound travel contributed £37.1Bn to the UK economy.’

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33 Bedford Row, 6th July 2020

Source: www.33bedfordrow.co.uk

Bra advert banned for claiming to ‘reduce risk of breast cancer’ – Daily Telegraph

Posted June 25th, 2020 in advertising, cancer, consumer protection, internet, news by sally

‘An advert for a bra has been banned for claiming it reduces the risk of breast cancer.’

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Daily Telegraph, 24th June 2020

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Novel foods regulation: Getting your product to the UK market – 3PB

Posted June 18th, 2020 in consumer protection, EC law, food, news, regulations by sally

‘Foods that fall within the definition of “novel food” must have market authorisation before they can be legally marketed in the UK. This article examines what novel foods are and the authorisation process to allow novel food products to reach the UK market. This article touches upon, but does not address at length, the process in respect of “traditional foods from third countries”.’

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3PB, 5th June 2020

Source: www.3pb.co.uk

90% of law firms “breaching transparency rules” – Legal Futures

‘The news comes with the regulator planning to step up its checks.’

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Legal Futures, 15th June 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Legal regulators cool on the idea of being abolished – Legal Futures

‘Legal regulators have reacted coolly to the recommendation of Professor Stephen Mayson that they be replaced by a single organisation, arguing instead the case for specialism.’

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Legal Futures, 12th June 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Supreme Court hears argument on whether £14 billion consumer competition class action should proceed against Mastercard – Exchange Chambers

Posted June 4th, 2020 in class actions, competition, consumer protection, fees, news, Supreme Court by sally

‘The Supreme Court last week heard Mastercard’s appeal seeking to prevent a proposed class action on behalf of 46 million consumers valued at £14 billion from proceeding against it. The case is interesting not merely from the perspective of whether the “juggernaut” of a claim should proceed against Mastercard but also because of its impact on other competition law class actions waiting in the wings and its influence more generally on how the fledgling competition law class action regime will develop in the UK.’

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Exchange Chambers, 22nd May 2020

Source: www.exchangechambers.co.uk

Watchdog launches probe into fake and misleading online product reviews – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 27th, 2020 in consumer protection, electronic commerce, internet, news by sally

‘A consumer watchdog has launched a probe into the sale of fake product reviews which it fears could mislead shoppers.’

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Daily Telegraph, 22nd May 2020

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Consumer Protection in the time of Covid-19 – Henderson Chambers

‘The Competition and Market Authority (“CMA”) has set up a task force to take action against companies which it considers are breaching consumer laws in the way in which they are dealing with the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic (for example, companies refusing to provide cash refunds for goods and services which have been disrupted). The CMA has robust enforcement powers such that businesses would be wise to be careful as to how they balance their commercial interests with consumer rights in these difficult times.’

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Henderson Chambers, 13th May 2020

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Coronavirus: Watchdog threatens legal action on holiday refunds – BBC News

‘Firms that fail to refund people for holidays and weddings cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak could face legal action by the consumer watchdog.’

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BBC News, 30th April 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Aviation during Covid-19: Defending passenger claims – The 36 Group

Posted April 17th, 2020 in airlines, chambers articles, consumer protection, coronavirus, news by sally

‘The aviation sector is in unchartered territory. Passenger air travel across the globe has virtually come to a halt, with no immediate end in sight. The plethora of issues facing airlines include rights and obligations arising out of aircraft leasing, accepting state aid to stay afloat and the prospect of passenger claims arising out of the cancellation of flights. In this article, we consider the legal implications of cancelling flights pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 [“the Regulation”].’

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The 36 Group, 7th April 2020

Source: 36group.co.uk

UK drivers win first round in VW ‘dieselgate’ case – BBC News

‘Thousands of UK motorists have won the first stage of a High Court action against Volkswagen over the installation of emissions cheating devices in its diesel vehicles.’

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BBC News, 6th April 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

New UK taskforce to crack down on coronavirus profiteers – The Guardian

Posted March 23rd, 2020 in competition, consumer protection, coronavirus, news, ombudsmen, sale of goods by sally

‘The competition watchdog is setting up a coronavirus taskforce to crack down on companies that cash in during the outbreak by bumping up prices or exploiting people’s fears with misleading claims about products.’

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The Guardian, 20th March 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Consumer panel urges more fixed fees and SRA fining powers – Legal Futures

‘More use of fixed fees and an increase in the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) fining powers are among recommendations made today by the Legal Services Consumer Panel.’

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Legal Futures, 19th March 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Gambling firm Betway hit with record £11.6m penalty – BBC News

Posted March 13th, 2020 in consumer protection, fines, gambling, money laundering, news, ombudsmen by tracey

‘Online betting firm Betway has been hit with a record penalty of £11.6m for failings over customer protection and money-laundering checks.’

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BBC news, 12th March 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Trading standards wins landmark prosecution of ticket touts – Local Government Lawyer

Posted February 21st, 2020 in computer crime, consumer protection, fraud, news, trading standards by sally

‘Yorkshire trading standards officers have helped to secure the first successful prosecution against a company fraudulently reselling event tickets on a large scale.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 20th February 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk