OFT issues warning over personalised pricing transparency – OUT-LAW.com

“Businesses must be more transparent about the way they collect information about consumers in order to offer personalised prices for goods and services online, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has said.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 20th May 2013

Source: www.out-law.com

Government says ‘no’ to will-writing regulation – Legal Futures

Posted May 15th, 2013 in consumer protection, drafting, legal services, news, regulations, wills by sally

“The government has today rejected the Legal Services Board’s (LSB) recommendation that will-writing become a reserved legal activity.”

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Legal Futures, 14th May 2013

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Queen’s speech: consumer bill of rights to cover faulty apps or downloads – The Guardian

Posted May 7th, 2013 in bills, consumer protection, internet, news, parliament, speeches by sally

“Consumer rights covering products such as cars and white goods are to be extended to apps and music downloads in a consumer bill of rights to be unveiled in the Queen’s speech on Wednesday.”

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The Guardian, 6th May 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

YouView launch ads banned – The Guardian

Posted April 17th, 2013 in advertising, complaints, consumer protection, internet, news by sally

“Virgin Media has won a victory against fledgling rival YouView, getting its launch TV and press campaign banned after the advertising watchdog ruled that claims it is ‘unique’ and the ‘easiest’ service were untrue.”

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The Guardian, 17th April 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Tenants to be given right to challenge rogue letting agents – The Guardian

“Tenants are to be given the right to challenge rogue letting agents for the first time after the government agreed at the 11th hour to a legislative amendment requiring all agents to sign up to a mandatory redress scheme.”

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The Guardian, 16th April 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Cancer Research wins second ban on ads attacking plain cigarette packs – The Guardain

Posted April 17th, 2013 in advertising, complaints, consumer protection, drug trafficking, news, smoking by sally

“Cancer Research UK has won a second victory in as many months against Gallaher, which markets brands including Benson & Hedges, Camel and Silk Cut, after the ad watchdog banned the tobacco giant’s campaign attacking proposals for plain cigarette packaging.”

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The Guardian, 17th April 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Legal Services Board pledges to work better with regulators – Legal Week

Posted April 12th, 2013 in complaints, consumer protection, Legal Services Board, news by sally

“The Legal Services Board (LSB) has restated its intention to work better with industry regulators following a series of criticisms by bodies including the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Bar Standards Board (BSB).”

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Legal Week, 12th April 2013

Source: www.legalweek.com

Smartphone games with costly in-app add-ons prompt OFT scrutiny – The Guardian

Posted April 12th, 2013 in children, consumer protection, internet, news, telecommunications by sally

“Free iPad and smartphone games which can result in children running up hefty bills for their parents through expensive in-game features are to come under scrutiny from the Office of Fair Trading.”

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The Guardian, 12th April 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Excessive credit card surcharges outlawed – The Guardian

Posted April 8th, 2013 in consumer credit, consumer protection, fees, financial regulation, news by sally

“A ban that comes into force on Saturday will ensure that payment surcharges reflect the actual cost of processing the payment.”

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The Guardian, 6th April 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

BIS issues guidance on what costs can be passed to consumers through payment surcharges – OUT-LAW.com

Posted April 5th, 2013 in consumer credit, consumer protection, costs, news, regulations by sally

“The Government has issued guidance that sets out the kind of costs businesses incur that they are legitimately able to claim back through payment surcharging under new rules set to come into force this weekend.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 5th April 2013

Source: www.out-law.com

High Court smoothes out Greek yoghurt food fight – The Lawyer

“When is Greek yoghurt legally Greek yoghurt? That was the question put to Mr Justice Briggs in a major IP battle between the makers of Total Greek Yoghurt, Fage UK, and New York-based Chobani.”

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The Lawyer, 3rd April 2013

Source: www.thelawyer.com

Packaged accounts comes under new rules – BBC News

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in banking, consumer protection, financial regulation, news, sale of goods by sally

“New rules to govern the abuse of sales of ‘packaged accounts’ from banks have come into force.”

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BBC News, 31st March 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Law Commissions call for consumer protections to be extended to end user licence agreements – OUT-LAW.com

Posted March 26th, 2013 in consumer protection, Law Commission, news, unfair contract terms by sally

“Legal protections preventing the inclusion of unfair contract terms in consumer contracts should be extended to apply to less formal notices, such as those included as part of software end user licence agreements (EULA), law reform bodies have said.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 25th March 2013

Source: www.out-law.com

Financial Conduct Authority may ban harmful products – The Guardian

Posted March 26th, 2013 in banking, consumer protection, financial regulation, insurance, news by sally

“Britain’s new financial watchdog has pledged to clean up the financial services sector by using new powers to suspend or ban products if they appear harmful to consumers.”

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The Guardian, 25th March 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Unfair terms in consumer contracts – Law Commission

“The Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission have today recommended reforms to provide better protection for consumers from unfair charges in small print.”

Full report

Law Commission, 19th March 2013

Source: www.justice.gov.uk/lawcommission

Law commissions urge tougher action on hidden charges – BBC News

“Consumers need more protection against hidden charges often tucked away in the
small print, according to two bodies responsible for promoting law reform.”

Full story

BBC News, 19th March 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

More consumer bodies given right to bring “super-complaints” to financial regulators – OUT-LAW.com

Posted March 14th, 2013 in complaints, consumer protection, financial regulation, news by sally

“Bodies representing consumers and small businesses can now apply to be designated as a ‘super-complainant’, making it faster and easier for them to raise concerns about financial products with the new regulator, the Treasury has announced.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 14th March 2013

Source: www.out-law.com

Gym chains forced to relax contract terms – The Guardian

Posted March 8th, 2013 in consumer protection, contracts, news, unfair contract terms by tracey

“Three of Britain’s biggest gym chains have had to change their contracts to make it easier for people to cancel, after the Office of Fair Trading ruled their terms and practices were unfair.”

Full story

The Guardian, 8th March 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Payday lenders face advertising restrictions – The Guardian

Posted March 6th, 2013 in advertising, consumer credit, consumer protection, loans, news, regulations by sally

“Ministers are to announce a clampdown on adverts for payday loans, but have rejected a cap on the cost of loans despite a report due to be published on Wednesday from the Office of Fair Trading showing widespread malpractice across the controversial industry.”

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The Guardian, 6th March 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

FSA to ask consumers how much horsemeat they will accept in their food – The Guardian

Posted March 6th, 2013 in consumer protection, food, genetic testing, news by sally

“Consumers are to be asked whether they will accept traces of horsemeat in their food if it proves too costly and technically difficult to check thoroughly for levels of contamination under 1%.”

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The Guardian, 5th March 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk