Category: consumer protection

Office of Fair Trading v Lloyds TSB Bank plc and Others – Times Law Reports

Posted November 12th, 2007 in consumer credit, consumer protection, extraterritoriality, law reports by sally

Credit card protection is extra-territorial

Office of Fair Trading v Lloyds TSB Bank plc and Others

House of Lords

“The right of consumers to hold United Kingdom credit card companies liable for a breach of contract by the retailer from whom they made a credit card purchase extended to transactions made overseas.”

The Times, 12th November 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.

Office of Fair Trading v Lloyds TSB Bank plc and others – WLR Daily

Posted November 2nd, 2007 in consumer credit, consumer protection, law reports by sally

Office of Fair Trading v Lloyds TSB Bank plc and others [2007] UKHL 48

“The right of consumers under s 75(1) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 to hold United Kingdom credit card companies liable for misrepresentation or breach of contract by the retailer from whom they made a credit card purchase extended to transactions made overseas.”

WLR Daily, 1st November 2007

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note: once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

Lords rule that credit card protection applies abroad – The Times

Posted November 1st, 2007 in consumer credit, consumer protection, news by sally

“Consumers who buy faulty goods or services abroad will be entitled to a refund from their credit card company, after a landmark legal judgment yesterday.”

Full story

The Times, 1st November 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Legal Services Act given royal assent – Ministry of Justice

Posted October 31st, 2007 in bills, consumer protection, legal services, news by sally

“An independent body which will handle consumer complaints about legal services in England and Wales is now a step closer under new legislation approved today.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice press release, 30th October 2007

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Bill to regulate solicitors ‘risks another miners’ compensation fiasco’ – The Times

Posted October 15th, 2007 in consumer protection, legal services, news, solicitors, trade unions by sally

“Plans for a shake-up of the legal profession, to be debated by MPs today, could lead to another fiasco like the miners’ compensation scheme, because trade unions would be exempt from consumer safeguards, Conservative MPs say.”

Full story

The Times, 15th October 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

GMTV hit with biggest-ever fine over competition deception – OUT-LAW.com

Posted September 27th, 2007 in consumer protection, media, news by sally

“Media regulator Ofcom has fined broadcaster GMTV £2 million over its misconduct in viewer competitions over a four year period. It is the highest fine ever issued to a broadcaster by Ofcom, which said that up to 25 million people may have been cheated.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 26th September 2007

Source: www.out-law.com

Record fine for TV phone-in firm – The Guardian

Posted September 25th, 2007 in consumer protection, media, news by sally

“The ‘reckless’ premium rate phone services company that swindled GMTV viewers out of more than £20m over almost four years was yesterday hit with the biggest fine imposed by regulators.”

Full story

The Guardian, 25th September 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

UK firms poised to reap rewards of class action litigation upswing – Legal Week

Posted September 6th, 2007 in class actions, consumer protection, news by sally

“The UK legal community is united in the belief that US-style class action litigation is set to take off throughout Europe, with product liability cited as a key growth sector. Claire Ruckin reports on the results of the latest Big Question survey.”

Full story

Legal Week, 6th September 2007

Source: www.legalweek.com

Controls that stop dodgy dealers under threat – Daily Telegraph

Posted August 30th, 2007 in consumer protection, news by sally

“Anti-cold calling schemes which were introduced to protect homeowners from rogue salesmen on their doorsteps could be under threat.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 30th August 2007

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007

Posted July 26th, 2007 in consumer protection, estate agents, legislation by sally

Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 published

Full text of Act

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

Cadbury faces ‘unlimited’ fine in outbreak case – The Times

Posted July 16th, 2007 in consumer protection, food, negligence, news by sally

“Cadbury Schweppes will attempt this morning to temper a potential million-pound fine set to be levied upon the drinks and confectionery group as the case against the company for causing a national outbreak of salmonella reaches its conclusion.”

Full story

The Times, 16th July 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

FSA announces new regime for IFAs – The Times

Posted June 28th, 2007 in consumer protection, financial regulation, news by sally

“The Financial Services Authority today unveiled plans for a wide-ranging shake-up of the financial services industry, but critics say it has not gone far enough.”

Full story

The Times, 27th June 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

One in four web merchants do not know web shopping laws – OUT-LAW.com

Posted June 20th, 2007 in consumer protection, news by sally

“Most internet shoppers do not know about their right to cancel and 28% of UK-based online traders are not aware or only slightly aware of the laws applying to internet shopping, according to a report published by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) yesterday.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 20th June 2007

Source: www.out-law.com

UK consults on Unfair Commercial Practices Directive – OUT-LAW.com

Posted June 11th, 2007 in consumer protection, EC law, news by sally

“The Government has asked retailers to comment on draft legislation that will force them to ‘deal fairly’ with customers and other businesses. Two new Regulations are proposed, scheduled to come into force on 6th April 2008.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 11th June 2007

Source: www.out-law.com

Legal wrangles over porn billing software – The Guardian

Posted May 31st, 2007 in consumer protection, news, pornography by sally

“MBS’s popups seeking payment for access to websites have caused concern, but it could be you breaking the law, not them.” 

Full story

The Guardian, 31st May 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

New law will put bullying salesmen at risk of prison – The Times

Posted May 29th, 2007 in consumer protection, news by sally

“Tough new laws to prevent British consumers being ripped off by aggressive doorstep sellers and bogus prize-draw scams are to be enforced within a year.”

Full story

The Times, 28th May 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

New laws against sharp practice will benefit vulnerable consumers – The Times

Posted April 2nd, 2007 in consumer protection, news by sally

“We all know what constitutes sharp practice – a broadcaster charging premium rates for callers to participate in a quiz show when the winner has already been chosen is a topical example – but the law often does not provide a simple way to bring such practice to a swift end. This will change when the UK implements the EU Directive on Unfair Business to Consumer Commercial Practices, which aims to harmonise EU consumer protection law. It will introduce a general prohibition on unfair trade practices, covering advertising, sales promotion, supply and after sales issues. Much consumer legislation (including the Trade Descriptions Act 1968) will be swept away. ”

Full story

The Times, 2nd April 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk