£4 million Government Funding Pledged to Tackle Rogue Landlords
More than 100 councils in England are to receive new funding from the Government to take on criminal landlords and letting agents and improve standards in the private rental sector. More than £4 million is being made available to fund enforcement initiatives against a minority of private landlords and agents who are breaking the law […]
Millions Yet to Apply for Power of Attorney Fee Refund
More than £54 million in refunds are yet to be claimed by individuals who were overcharged when registering a power of attorney. A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows the appointed person to act on your behalf in financial or medical decisions and in managing your affairs in the event […]
Motorists to Benefit from New Code of Conduct for Parking Firms
The British Parking Association (BPA) is to implement a new code of conduct governing private car parking firms. Members of the BPA will be required to adhere to new rules designed to benefit drivers by tackling rogue parking companies and dubious fines. The new code will afford the BPA greater powers at the first stage […]
Law Commission Publishes Leasehold Housing Reform Plans
The Law Commission has put forward plans to make the leasehold system fairer and cheaper for Britain’s 4 million leaseholders to buy their freehold or extend their lease. The UK leasehold system has come under criticism in recent years for becoming unfair and costly, with some leaseholders facing extortionate demands from freeholders and high and […]
Claims Portal Testing Enters Second Stage Ahead of Planned April Launch
The second phase of testing for the Litigation in Person (LiP) portal is due to start later this month, according to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). The introduction of the portal forms part of wider whiplash reforms under the Civil Liability Act. The LiP is being designed to allow personal injury claimants to manage small […]
Online giants pledge to tackle fake online reviews
Facebook and eBay have signed agreements pledging to combat the use of fake and misleading reviews on their sites. Following an investigation by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) last year, both sites have responded to the CMA’s demand to take measures to better identify, investigate and respond to fake and misleading reviews. Three […]
No Fault Divorce Bill Set to Go Before Parliament
The Ministry of Justice has announced that the so-called ‘no fault’ divorce Bill is to be one of the first bills tabled in the new Parliament. In news welcomed by the national family justice body, Resolution, the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill is being reintroduced into Parliament on 7th January having first been promised by […]
New Law in Force to Protect Drivers from Unfair Parking Fines
A new law has come into force to provide motorists with greater protection from rogue private parking companies. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 took effect today with the aim of bringing to an end unfair parking charges and fines. Under the new legislation, private parking companies face enhanced regulation and are now required […]
Customers Sue Ticketmaster Over Major Data Protection Breach
Ticketmaster is facing a £5 million claim following a major data breach of its UK websites last year. More than 650 customers affected by the security breach are taking legal action against the ticket sales company. Up to 40,000 UK Ticketmaster customers are believed to have had “some personal or payment information” stolen following the […]
Greater Protection for Consumers as Claims Management Companies Come Under FCA Regulation
Regulation of Claims Management Companies has, from 1st April 2019, been transferred from the Claims Management Regulator to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Claims management companies in England, Scotland or Wales will now have to apply to the FCA for authorisation and adhere to a new set of industry rules. Claims management companies charge to […]
New Cars to have Automatic Speed Limiters as Standard by 2022
New car safety rules agreed by the European Union will see automatic speed limiters become standard features in all new vehicles from 2022. All new cars sold in the EU are to be fitted with intelligent speed assistance technology to stop drivers exceeding speed limits. Intelligent speed assistance (ISA) limiters work by using road sign recognition cameras […]
Personal Injury Compensation is Available for Loss of In-Work Rest Breaks
The Employment Appeal Tribunal has ruled that personal injury compensation is available to employees for breaches of in-work rest break entitlements under the Working Time Regulations (WTR) 1998. In Grange v Abellio London Ltd, the EAT upheld the tribunal’s award of £750 to the employee following the employer’s failure to comply with the WTR to […]
Motorists Face New Fines for Driving with Loud Music
Drivers caught playing loud music are to face a fine of £100 under a new trial scheme. In a move designed to tackle anti-social behaviour, Bradford Council is implementing a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for a range of car-related nuisance behaviours, including playing loud music when driving. Other motoring anti-social behaviours and vehicle […]
Personal Injury Claim Against Untraced Driver Refused by Supreme Court
The UK insurance industry has breathed a sigh of relief following the Supreme Court’s ruling that personal injury compensation claims cannot be brought against untraced drivers in road traffic accidents. In the case of Cameron v Liverpool Victoria Insurance Co Ltd, the court held that where a driver cannot be identified as a result of […]
Government Allocates New Grants to Support Domestic Abuse Victims in Court
The government has announced it is to make just under £900,000 available in grants to provide in-court support to victims of domestic abuse. Scheduled to run until 31st March 2020, the funds have been awarded to two organisations, the Personal Support Unit (PSU) and the Citizens Advice Witness Service, who offer support service to victims […]
Proposed Consumer Law Reforms Include GDPR-Level Penalties
Proposals have been published at both an EU and UK level to radically strengthen the enforcement powers of industry regulators in a bid to champion consumer rights. The ‘New Deal for Consumers’ legislative initiative comes in response to concerns that consumer law is being poorly enforced and that sanctions are inadequate. What is being proposed? […]
Estate Agents Subject to New Transparency Rules on Referral Fees
New regulations from the National Trading Standards Estate Agency have been published with the aim of improving transparency for consumers about referral fees received by estate agents. Produced by a collective of experts from RICS, the Guild of Property Professionals, the Property Ombudsman, NAEA Propertymark and Property Redress Scheme, the new guidance is designed to […]
Consumers Urged to Check for Unclaimed Power of Attorney Refunds
Less than 20% of a rebate fund for Power of Attorney applications has been claimed, according to figures obtained from the Ministry of Justice by Royal London. Refunds are available for applicants who were overcharged for part of a Power of Attorney application fee during a specific three-year period. An estimated one million people are […]
Hotel Booking Sites Given Deadline to End Misleading Sales Tactics
Industry regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has confirmed six of the largest hotel and holiday booking websites have agreed to change their online practices in response to concerns that consumers are being misled and prevented from finding the best deals. Agoda, booking.com, ebookers, Expedia, Hotels.com and trivago have all undertaken to abide by […]
New Stamp Duty Land Tax Rules in Force
The time period in which to submit Stamp Duty Land Tax returns and pay the tax due on commercial and residential property transactions in England has been shortened to 14 days, under new rules that take effect today. SDLT is a self-assessed tax and liability lies with the property buyer, as such, the change in […]