Watchdog launches probe into fake and misleading online product reviews – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 27th, 2020 in consumer protection, electronic commerce, internet, news by sally

‘A consumer watchdog has launched a probe into the sale of fake product reviews which it fears could mislead shoppers.’

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Daily Telegraph, 22nd May 2020

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Consumer Protection in the time of Covid-19 – Henderson Chambers

‘The Competition and Market Authority (“CMA”) has set up a task force to take action against companies which it considers are breaching consumer laws in the way in which they are dealing with the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic (for example, companies refusing to provide cash refunds for goods and services which have been disrupted). The CMA has robust enforcement powers such that businesses would be wise to be careful as to how they balance their commercial interests with consumer rights in these difficult times.’

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Henderson Chambers, 13th May 2020

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Coronavirus: Watchdog threatens legal action on holiday refunds – BBC News

‘Firms that fail to refund people for holidays and weddings cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak could face legal action by the consumer watchdog.’

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BBC News, 30th April 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Aviation during Covid-19: Defending passenger claims – The 36 Group

Posted April 17th, 2020 in airlines, chambers articles, consumer protection, coronavirus, news by sally

‘The aviation sector is in unchartered territory. Passenger air travel across the globe has virtually come to a halt, with no immediate end in sight. The plethora of issues facing airlines include rights and obligations arising out of aircraft leasing, accepting state aid to stay afloat and the prospect of passenger claims arising out of the cancellation of flights. In this article, we consider the legal implications of cancelling flights pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 [“the Regulation”].’

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The 36 Group, 7th April 2020

Source: 36group.co.uk

UK drivers win first round in VW ‘dieselgate’ case – BBC News

‘Thousands of UK motorists have won the first stage of a High Court action against Volkswagen over the installation of emissions cheating devices in its diesel vehicles.’

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BBC News, 6th April 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

New UK taskforce to crack down on coronavirus profiteers – The Guardian

Posted March 23rd, 2020 in competition, consumer protection, coronavirus, news, ombudsmen, sale of goods by sally

‘The competition watchdog is setting up a coronavirus taskforce to crack down on companies that cash in during the outbreak by bumping up prices or exploiting people’s fears with misleading claims about products.’

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The Guardian, 20th March 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Consumer panel urges more fixed fees and SRA fining powers – Legal Futures

‘More use of fixed fees and an increase in the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) fining powers are among recommendations made today by the Legal Services Consumer Panel.’

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Legal Futures, 19th March 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Gambling firm Betway hit with record £11.6m penalty – BBC News

Posted March 13th, 2020 in consumer protection, fines, gambling, money laundering, news, ombudsmen by tracey

‘Online betting firm Betway has been hit with a record penalty of £11.6m for failings over customer protection and money-laundering checks.’

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BBC news, 12th March 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Trading standards wins landmark prosecution of ticket touts – Local Government Lawyer

Posted February 21st, 2020 in computer crime, consumer protection, fraud, news by sally

‘Yorkshire trading standards officers have helped to secure the first successful prosecution against a company fraudulently reselling event tickets on a large scale.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 20th February 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Gambling watchdog bans credit cards for online betting sites – The Guardian

Posted January 14th, 2020 in consumer credit, consumer protection, electronic commerce, gambling, news by sally

‘Gambling businesses are to be banned from allowing consumers in Great Britain to use credit cards to bet from 14 April, the Gambling Commission has announced.’

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The Guardian, 14th January 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

BSB and SRA in firing line over shortcomings – Legal Futures

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has been told that it needs to act more quickly on how it plans to educate the public about barristers after its widely criticised decision to stop funding consumer-facing website Legal Choices.’

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Legal Futures, 19th December 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

UK water companies ordered to cut bills by £50 by 2025 – The Guardian

Posted December 16th, 2019 in consumer protection, fees, news, water, water companies by tracey

‘Ofwat, the water regulator, has ordered water companies in England and Wales to cut bills for customers by £50 over five years and spend £51bn on improving services and investment in infrastructure.’

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The Guardian, 16th December 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Alleged tout given suspended sentence over sale of Wimbledon tickets – The Guardian

Posted December 2nd, 2019 in consumer protection, contempt of court, news, sentencing, suspended sentences by sally

‘An alleged tout who said he would rather go to prison than “grass up” his boss, who prosecutors claim is a reality TV star, has been handed a six-month suspended prison sentence over the sale of Wimbledon tickets.’

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The Guardian, 29th November 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Outdated ombudsman rules frustrate consumers – The Guardian

Posted November 18th, 2019 in codes of practice, complaints, consumer protection, delay, news, ombudsmen, time limits by sally

‘Customers are being left out of pocket because of arcane rules that force them to wait eight weeks before they can take unresolved complaints to an ombudsman.’

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The Guardian, 17th November 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Court of Appeal gives green light to consumer rights campaigner in 4 million person strong representative action against Google – Henderson Chambers

‘On 2 October 2019, the Court of Appeal, in a unanimous judgment given by Sir Geoffrey Vos, Chancellor of the High Court, upheld the Claimant’s appeal in the case of Richard Lloyd v Google LLC [2019] EWCA Civ 1599. The Court of Appeal reversed the decision of the court below and gave Mr Lloyd permission to serve Google LLC outside the jurisdiction (in the US), enabling him to proceed with his representative action. The class he represents is composed of an estimated 4 million Apple iPhone users. Any substantive judgment will prove interesting in demonstrating the role of representative and group actions in the space of consumer rights at the intersection of tech and information rights. Google LLC, however, has confirmed that it intends to appeal this procedural point to the Supreme Court.’

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Henderson Chambers, 7th October 2019

Source: www.hendersonchambers.co.uk

Modern Slavery: 5 Ways To Know If A Company Is Serious About Tackling It – Rights Info

Posted October 24th, 2019 in consumer protection, forced labour, news by sally

‘Modern slavery exists, in large part, because of our buying habits. Because we want a bargain, businesses respond by offering low prices. To lower prices, businesses look for cheap labour, which has helped fuel the growth of international supply chains where goods and services are sourced from places where, among other things, labour is cheap and labour laws are lax.’

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Rights Info, 24th October 2019

Source: rightsinfo.org

Browser Generated Information: “loss of control” entitles search engine users to compensation – UK Human Rights Blog

‘Richard Lloyd v. Google LLC [2019] EWCA Civ 1599. The Court of Appeal has ruled that a claimant can recover damages for loss of control of their data under section 13 of Data Protection Act 1998 without proving pecuniary loss or distress. The first instance judge, Warby J, had dismissed Mr Lloyd’s application for permission to serve Google outside the jurisdiction in the USA, so preventing the claim getting under way.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 4th October 2019

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Watchdog threatens to refer JD Sports takeover – BBC News

Posted September 19th, 2019 in competition, consumer protection, news, ombudsmen by tracey

‘JD Sports’ takeover of Footasylum is facing greater scrutiny after the competition watchdog warned it could result in “a worse shopping experience for customers”. The Competition and Markets Authority will refer the £90m deal to a “phase 2” investigation, which means it will take a more in-depth look at the tie-up.’

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BBC News, 19th September 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Report on legal services regulation presents case for further reform – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted September 18th, 2019 in consumer protection, legal services, Legal Services Board, news, reports by tracey

‘The potential harm to consumers arising from enduring weaknesses in legal services regulation justifies further reform, says a report published today by University College London’s Centre for Ethics and Law.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 17th September 2019

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

EasyJet accused of ignoring rules for ‘failing to book passengers on other airlines after cancelled flights’ – The Independent

Posted August 12th, 2019 in airlines, consumer protection, news by tracey

‘Britain’s biggest budget airline, easyJet, is refusing to comply with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) rules on cancelled flights by failing to book seats on rival carriers where necessary.’

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The Independent, 12th August 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk