PayPal ‘reward’ email rapped for misleading – BBC News

Posted December 9th, 2020 in advertising, consumer protection, electronic mail, news by sally

‘An email sent by payment giant PayPal which promised customers a reward of £10 for using their account did not make it clear enough that not everyone would receive it, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled.’

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BBC News, 9th December 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

New UK tech regulator to limit power of Google and Facebook – The Guardian

‘A new tech regulator will work to limit the power of Google, Facebook and other tech platforms, the government has announced, in an effort to ensure a level playing field for smaller competitors and a fair market for consumers.’

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The Guardian, 27th November 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Post-Grenfell social housing reforms in England to be unveiled – The Guardian

‘Millions of tenants could be offered greater protection from wrongdoing by landlords in long-awaited social housing reforms to be announced this week, more than three years after the Grenfell Tower disaster.’

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The Guardian, 16th November 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK mobile phone firms to be banned from selling locked handsets – The Guardian

Posted October 28th, 2020 in consumer protection, news, ombudsmen, sale of goods, telecommunications by sally

‘Mobile phone companies are to be banned from selling devices that are locked into specific networks to make it easier for customers to switch providers.’

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The Guardian, 27th October 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Legal loophole allows children to get free vape samples – The Guardian

Posted October 27th, 2020 in advertising, children, consumer protection, health, news, smoking by sally

‘Health campaigners have expressed alarm after it emerged that a loophole in the law means it is legal for marketing companies to hand out vapes to children for free.’

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The Guardian, 25th October 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

High charges for rural broadband investigated by Ofcom – BBC News

Posted October 16th, 2020 in consumer protection, internet, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘Ofcom is to investigate why BT is quoting some people thousands of pounds to get broadband connections.’

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BBC News, 15th October 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Man denied £1.7m payout by Betfred takes fight to High Court – BBC News

Posted October 16th, 2020 in computer programs, consumer protection, contracts, gambling, interpretation, news by sally

‘A man who was refused a payout of £1.7m after his online betting company account was credited with the money is taking his case to the High Court.’

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BBC News, 16th October 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Competition watchdog sides with water firms in row over plan to cut household bills – The Guardian

Posted September 30th, 2020 in competition, consumer protection, news, ombudsmen, water, water companies by sally

‘Britain’s competition watchdog has sided with water suppliers in a row over the regulator’s plan to reduce industry revenues in order to cut an average of £50 a year from water bills.’

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The Guardian, 29th September 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘No reason’ for egg freezing 10-year storage limit – BBC News

Posted September 30th, 2020 in consumer protection, medical treatment, news, pregnancy, time limits by sally

‘The 10-year limit for storing eggs frozen for social reasons could be scrapped to give people concerned about declining fertility more time and options, says a UK ethics body.’

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BBC News, 30th September 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Competition watchdog takes enforcement action over leaseholds – The Guardian

‘The competition watchdog has launched enforcement action against four of the UK’s leading housing developers – Barratt, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Countryside Properties – after an investigation uncovered evidence that leasehold homeowners and prospective buyers were being misled and charged excessive fees.’

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The Guardian, 4th September 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Funeral directors overcharging bereaved by at least £400, watchdog says – The Guardian

‘UK consumers are typically being overcharged by at least £400 – and possibly a lot more – when they pay for a funeral, according to Britain’s competition watchdog.’

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The Guardian, 13th August 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

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