Gambling operators can expect requests for data for research into harm – OUT-LAW.com

Posted August 13th, 2018 in consumer protection, gambling, news by sally

‘Gambling companies operating in Britain will be asked to disclose more data to help inform research into harmful play.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 10th August 2018

Source: www.out-law.com

Warning over online GPs as struck-off doctor discovered using loophole to prescribe ‘unsafe’ drugs – Daily Telegraph

‘The health care regulator is calling for greater powers to protect patients from online GPs after a struck-off doctor was discovered using a loophole to prescribe “unsafe” drugs.’

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Daily Telegraph, 6th August 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

UK loan-based crowdfunding platforms face tighter regulation – OUT-LAW.com

Posted July 31st, 2018 in consumer protection, financial regulation, loans, news by sally

‘The largest loan-based crowdfunding platforms operating in the UK could be required to establish “an independent compliance function” and “independent risk and internal audit functions”, according to new rules proposed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).’

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OUT-LAW.com, 31st July 2018

Source: www.out-law.com

UK regulators could enforce minimum interest rate for savers – The Guardian

Posted July 26th, 2018 in banking, consumer protection, financial regulation, interest, news by sally

‘Banks could be forced to pay savers a minimum interest rate after City regulators found that longstanding customers in instant access accounts are paid derisory rates because of their apathy about switching providers.’

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The Guardian, 25th July 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Financial regulator mulls ‘duty of care’ and new damages regime – OUT-LAW.com

‘The FCA is seeking views on whether there is a need for a new customer “duty of care” or “fiduciary duty”, or whether the existing rules already provide sufficient protections for consumers. It is also seeking views on a new right for consumers to seek private damages against firms which have breached the new duty or the regulatory principles set out in the FCA Handbook, particularly the requirement to “treat customers fairly”.’

Full Story

OUT-LAW.com, 23rd July 2018

Source: www.out-law.com

Government orders Phillip Morris to stop advertising “healthier” tobacco products or face legal action – Daily Telegraph

Posted July 19th, 2018 in advertising, consumer protection, news, smoking by tracey

‘The Government will take one of the world’s largest tobacco firms to court unless it stops illegally targeting UK consumers with tobacco adverts, a Minister has said.’

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Daily Telegraph, 18th July 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Safestyle UK: Window firm fined for ‘aggressive sales’ – BBC News

Posted July 17th, 2018 in advertising, consumer protection, fines, news, regulations by tracey

‘A double-glazing windows and doors firm which used aggressive sales techniques and lied to customers to secure sales has been fined £120,000. Sheffield Crown Court heard Safestyle UK employees used a variety of “unlawful business practices” to apply pressure to homeowners.

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BBC News, 16th July 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Battle lines drawn as papers filed in VW case – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The law firm taking Volkswagen (VW) to court on behalf of more than 50,000 UK car owners has accused the car giant of insulting consumers’ intelligence by refusing to admit wrongdoing in the alleged emissions cheating scandal.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 9th July 2018

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

UK fertility regulator to issue new rules on expensive IVF add-ons – The Guardian

Posted July 9th, 2018 in assisted reproduction, consumer protection, fees, news by sally

‘IVF patients will need to be told when expensive “add-ons” to fertility treatments are not likely to be effective, under new rules due to be issued to clinics later this year.’

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The Guardian, 9th July 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

BSB and Bar Council warn about risks of online barrister reviews – Legal Futures

Posted July 3rd, 2018 in barristers, competition, complaints, consumer protection, internet, news by sally

‘The Bar Standards Board has warned consumers about the risks of choosing a barrister based on online reviews, while telling the profession that it needs to watch this fast-growing area.’

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Legal Futures, 3rd July 2018

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

BSB shares good practice for barristers and advice for clients on consumer feedback – Bar Standards Board

Posted June 29th, 2018 in barristers, consumer protection, press releases by tracey

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has today published new guidance that aims to encourage barristers to follow good practice when they receive feedback from their clients. It has also published a guide for the public about using and leaving feedback about barristers’ services.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 28th June 2018

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Nearly half of train operators misleading passengers over compensation rights – Daily Telegraph

Posted June 11th, 2018 in compensation, consumer protection, delay, news, railways by sally

‘Nearly half of train firms are misleading passengers over their right to claim compensation for extra costs caused by delays, a Which survey has found.’

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Daily Telegraph, 11th June 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Lenders court new controversy over misleading loan rates – The Independent

Posted June 8th, 2018 in advertising, consumer protection, interest, loans, news by sally

‘UK consumers are paying millions more than they expect for personal loans as the gap between advertised and actual interest rates on such borrowing grows.’

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The Independent, 7th June 2018

Source: www.independent.co.uk

TSB investigated over IT meltdown – BBC News

‘A computer failure at TSB that caused up to 1.9 million people to lose access to online banking services is being investigated by the financial regulator.’

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BBC news, 6th June 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

“Victory for product innovation” after High Court rejects group hip replacement implant claim – Litigation Futures

Posted May 23rd, 2018 in class actions, consumer protection, health, medical treatment, news by tracey

‘The High Court yesterday rejected a group action claiming that a “metal on metal” (MoM) hip replacement implant was defective under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.’

Full Story

Litigation Futures, 22nd May 2018

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Patients lose hip replacement court case – BBC News

Posted May 22nd, 2018 in compensation, consumer protection, health, medical treatment, news by sally

‘Hundreds of patients have lost the first round of a legal battle for compensation at the High Court over allegedly “defective” hip implants.’

Full Story

BBC News, 21st May 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Government to crack down on ‘rogue’ estate agents – BBC News

Posted April 9th, 2018 in consumer protection, estate agents, news by tracey

‘All estate agents will be required to hold a professional qualification under new government rules to crack down on “rogue” operators. Managing agents will also be forced to reveal the fees they receive for referrals to solicitors, surveyors and mortgage brokers.’

Full Story

BBC News, 8th April 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ruling highlights gap in the law on software – OUT-LAW.com

‘A recent ruling by the Court of Appeal in London highlights a gap in the law on software, and should prompt a change in UK legislation.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 27th March 2018

Source: www.out-law.com

Adverts which promise bus fares ‘from £1’ banned after it emerges just 3 per cent of tickets are available at that price – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 28th, 2018 in advertising, complaints, consumer protection, news, transport by tracey

‘Savvy travel bookers who click on low price adverts may find they are often lead to air, rail and bus websites which do not have any seats at the advertised reduced fares. The advertising watchdog has found that in at least one case this is because there were never many low fare seats available at all, and has banned Megabus from advertising its seats as “from £1” after it was found only three per cent of seats were available at that price.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 28th March 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo banned from saying it can ‘help to reduce hair loss’ by Advertising Standards Authority – The Independent

Posted March 28th, 2018 in advertising, complaints, consumer protection, news by tracey

‘The makers of Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo must no longer advertise that the product can reduce hair loss after a watchdog ruled there was no adequate evidence to support the claim.’

Full Story

The Independent, 28th March 2018

Source: www.independent.co.uk