Under-18s to be banned from using sunbeds – The Independent

Posted April 9th, 2010 in children, consumer protection, legislation, news by sally

“Under-18s are to be banned from using sunbeds under new legislation passed by Parliament. Tanning salons will also have to be manned, meaning that coin-operated booths will be outlawed after several children suffered serious burns after using them without supervision.”

Full story

The Independent, 9th April 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Three year consumer lock-in is illegal, says OFT – OUT-LAW.com

Posted March 16th, 2010 in consumer protection, news, unfair contract terms by sally

“Gym membership contracts that lasted for three years and could not be cancelled breached consumer protection laws, according to consumer protection regulator the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).”

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OUT-LAW.com, 15th March 2010

Source: www.out-law.com

Most consumers ‘cannot tell good lawyer from bad one’ – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted March 4th, 2010 in consumer protection, legal services, news by sally

“Most consumers could not tell a good lawyer from a bad one, according to Ministry of Justice research published this week.”

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Law Society’s Gazette, 4th March 2010

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

‘Healer’ faces prosecution over cancer claims – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 1st, 2010 in advertising, cancer, consumer protection, news by sally

“A self-proclaimed ‘visionary healer’ who claims to be able to treat illness from a distance is facing prosecution by Trading Standards for suggestions that he can cure cancer.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 28th February 2010

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

OFT to test e-commerce contracts for fairness – OUT-LAW.com

Posted February 11th, 2010 in consumer protection, contracts, electronic commerce, news by sally

“Consumer protection regulator the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has launched an investigation into whether complex contracts for goods and services are unfair to consumers. The investigation will particularly focus on online transactions.”

Full story

Out-Law.com, 9th February 2010

Source: www.out-law.com

Government to consult on punishments for breaking online air fare rules – OUT-LAW.com

Posted January 13th, 2010 in airlines, consultations, consumer protection, news, penalties by sally

“The Government will consult within weeks on new penalties for airlines that employ hidden charges to mislead consumers. The action will close a loophole by which airlines can avoid penalties for breaking the law.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 11th January 2010

Source: www.out-law.com

Consumer Advocate will get class action-style powers, says Government – OUT-LAW.com

Posted December 8th, 2009 in class actions, consumer protection, news by sally

“The Government has published the details of the powers it will award to a consumer champion to take class action-style lawsuits against companies on behalf of large numbers of consumers.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 7th December 2009

Source: www.out-law.com

Aventis Pasteur SA v OB – WLR Daily

Posted December 4th, 2009 in consumer protection, defective goods, EC law, law reports, limitations by sally

Aventis Pasteur SA v OB (Case C-358/08); [2009] WLR (D) 352

“The Community Directive on liability for defective products normally precluded a producer of a product from being substituted, after the expiry of the 10-year limitation period, for a defendant who had been sued within that period.”

WLR Daily, 3rd December 2009

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.

Government delay forces rail passengers to wait for better compensation rights – Daily Telegraph

Posted December 3rd, 2009 in compensation, consumer protection, EC law, railways by sally

“Millions of British rail passengers will be denied the right to claim a cash refund if their train is late because of the Government’s refusal to implement new EU consumer protection laws.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 3rd December 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Apple will rewrite T&Cs after OFT objections – OUT-LAW.com

Posted December 1st, 2009 in consumer protection, news, unfair contract terms by sally

“Apple will have to rewrite its terms and conditions for the UK after action by consumer protection regulator the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), the Office has said. As well as specific changes it will have to redraft the terms in plain English, the OFT said.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 30th November 2009

Soruce: www.out-law.com

Plans to improve consumer redress against financial firms being ‘rushed through’, says ABI – OUT-LW.com

Posted November 26th, 2009 in consumer protection, financial regulation, news by sally

“Consumers will be able to bring class actions against banks, insurers and other financial services firms if the Government’s Financial Services Bill comes into force.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 24th November 2009

Source: www.out-law.com

 

LSB consumer panel to examine referral fees – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted November 9th, 2009 in consumer protection, fees, Legal Services Board, news by sally

“The Legal Services Board’s new consumer panel will examine referral fees as the very first item on its agenda when it meets for the first time later this month, the Gazette has learned.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 9th November 2009

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Consumer Remedies for Faulty Goods – Law Commission

Posted November 4th, 2009 in consumer protection, defective goods, sale of goods, special report by sally

“On 4 November 2009, the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission published a final report with recommendations on simplifying the law on consumer remedies for faulty goods.”

Full report

Law Commission , 4th November 2009

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk

 

Silent calls fine raised to maximum of £2m – The Guardian

Posted October 23rd, 2009 in consumer protection, telecommunications by sally

“Ofcom to clampdown on companies using machines to bulk-call consumers but failing to connect them to an agent when they answer.”

Full story

The Guardian, 23rd October 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

OFT to scrutinise online pricing – BBC News

Posted October 15th, 2009 in consumer protection, internet, news by sally

“Online pricing practices are to be investigated by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).”

Full story

BBC News, 15th October 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Mobile networks could be fined 10% of turnover for mis-selling – OUT-LAW.com

Posted September 16th, 2009 in consumer protection, news, telecommunications by sally

“Mobile phone networks could face fines of up to 10% of their turnover from today if they fail to stamp out contract mis-selling. The networks will be responsible not just for their own behaviour but for that of retailers selling their services.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 16th September 2009

Source: www.out-law.com

Compensation call for consumers – BBC News

Posted August 27th, 2009 in compensation, consumer protection, news by sally

“Consumers who lose money to underhand sales practices should be allowed to seek compensation in court, according to a watchdog.”

Full story

BBC News, 26th August 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

OFT to probe online advertising and pricing tactics – OUT-LAW.com

Posted August 20th, 2009 in advertising, consumer protection, internet, news by sally

“Consumer protection watchdog the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) will investigate online pricing tactics and internet advertising techniques that mislead consumers, it has said. It will also probe price comparison sites and behavioural advertising.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 19th August 2009

Source: www.out-law.com

100 claims companies cancelled as crackdown continues on firms who mislead the public – Ministry of Justice

Posted August 10th, 2009 in advertising, claims management, consumer protection, news by sally

“Misleading claims that debt can be written off as unenforceable, high pressure selling and cold calling in person will not be tolerated – tough message from Ministry of Justice Claims Management Regulator as 100th company cancelled.”

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Ministry of Justice, 9th August 2009

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Government White Paper sets out changes for UK consumer law – OUT-LAW.com

Posted July 8th, 2009 in consumer protection, electronic commerce, news by sally

“The UK Government will appoint a Consumer Advocate with powers to sue on behalf of consumers, the rules for selling digital downloads will change and the law of misrepresentation will be simplified, according to plans published on Thursday.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 6th July 2009

Source: www.out-law.com