United Kingdom: Consumer Trading & Unfair Trading

Subscribe
Consumer protection law thought leadership, articles, podcasts, videos and webinars from expert sources across the legal world. Explore insights covering topics that involve consumer protection regulations and the developing law surrounding them from specialists working in this area.
Article
False Urgency, Hidden Fees And Real Fines: Lessons From The CMA's Latest Enforcement Action
The Competition and Markets Authority has imposed six million pounds in fines against three businesses for misleading sales tactics, including fake time-limited offers and hidden fees. These enforcement actions demonstrate the regulator's increasingly robust approach under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, signaling heightened scrutiny for businesses employing questionable promotional practices.
United Kingdom Consumer
AL
Ashfords LLP
Article
New EU Green Claims Rules Are Now Live: What Brands Must Do About Old Stock
The European Union's Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive took effect on 27 September 2026, leaving many brands with old stock carrying environmental claims that may no longer comply with the new rules. The EU's Consumer Protection Cooperation Network has issued guidance clarifying how national authorities will approach products, packaging, and marketing materials that remain in circulation, confirming that businesses must comply from the application date with only limited exceptions
European Union Consumer
KG
K&L Gates LLP
Article
Drip, Drip... Fine? The CMA Targets Drip Pricing Again
The Competition and Markets Authority has intensified its enforcement against drip pricing and misleading price presentation, securing nearly £2 million in consumer refunds and imposing almost £6.2 million in fines since new powers took effect. With three new investigations launched—including one into Trainline—businesses face heightened scrutiny over how they present mandatory fees and charges to consumers.
United Kingdom Consumer
GW
Gowling WLG
Article
The Consumer Law Revolution Continues: Spring Forward, Spring Back - Subscription Rules Get A New January 2027 Start Date
The UK government has accelerated the implementation timeline for new subscription contract rules under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, moving the start date forward to January 2027. Businesses offering subscription services will need to comply with enhanced transparency requirements, including clearer pre-contract information, regular renewal reminders, and simplified cancellation processes, while consumers will gain new cooling-off rights.
United Kingdom Consumer
LS
Lewis Silkin
Article
Client Alert Reference Pricing: High Court Ruling Grants Greater Flexibility To Traders
The High Court has rejected the Competition and Markets Authority's attempt to impose a fixed volume ratio requirement on reference pricing, ruling that volume alone cannot determine whether a pricing strategy misleads consumers. This landmark decision introduces new considerations around traders' subjective beliefs and market characteristics, fundamentally reshaping how regulators can enforce consumer protection law in the era of was/now pricing.
United Kingdom Consumer
WT
Winston Taylor
Podcast
The UK Consumer Law Revolution Podcast: Deep Dive: High Court Hands Down Judgment In Long Awaited Emma Sleep Case (Podcast)
The High Court recently delivered a significant judgment in the CMA's case against Emma Sleep, addressing the contentious issue of discount claims and reference pricing in retail. The court's decision to reject the CMA's proposed strict 1:2 ratio requirement—which would have mandated that retailers sell one mattress at full price for every two sold at a discount—marks a pivotal moment in consumer protection law. This ruling emphasizes a more flexible, context-driven approach to pricing claims ra
United Kingdom Consumer
LS
Lewis Silkin
Article
A Wake-up Call On Reference Pricing: High Court Rejects CMA's 1:2 Ratio
The High Court has rejected the CMA's proposed 1:2 fixed volume requirement for reference pricing, ruling that low sales volumes at a higher price do not automatically render discount claims misleading. While Emma Sleep admitted specific breaches of consumer protection law, the Court held that compliance depends on a holistic assessment including the retailer's genuine belief in achieving sales at the reference price, rather than a rigid sales ratio.
United Kingdom Consumer
GW
Gowling WLG
Article
Drilling Into The Detail: What New Consumer Laws Mean For Dental Practices
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 has introduced sweeping changes to consumer protection law, granting the CMA unprecedented enforcement powers including the ability to impose multi-million-pound fines directly. With the regulator already launching a market study into private dentistry and conducting spot checks across consumer-facing websites, dental practices face heightened scrutiny across pricing transparency, subscription contracts, online reviews and patient-facing terms. How sho
United Kingdom Consumer
LS
Lewis Silkin
Article
ASA Sharpens Its Focus On Green Advertising
The Advertising Standards Authority has intensified its scrutiny of environmental claims in advertising, raising the stakes for brands making sustainability assertions. This development signals a stricter regulatory environment where green marketing messages face heightened examination and potential challenge. Companies must now navigate more rigorous standards when communicating their environmental credentials to consumers.
United Kingdom Media & IT
LS
Lewis Silkin
Article
ASA Sharpens Its Focus On Green Advertising
The UK's Advertising Standards Authority has released findings from a comprehensive study of over seven million online advertisements, revealing that while environmental claims remain rare, they are frequently framed in absolute terms that require high levels of substantiation. The regulator has also published multiple sector-specific rulings addressing green claims in fashion, travel, home energy, and consumer products, highlighting common pitfalls and enforcement priorities.
United Kingdom Consumer
GA
Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance (GALA)
Article
ASA Complaint Handling Changes: Sharper Processes, Tighter Deadlines And What Advertisers Should Do Now
The Advertising Standards Authority has revised its complaint handling procedures, introducing clearer expectations around evidence submission, transparency requirements, and review processes. These procedural updates may require advertisers to respond more quickly when complaints arise, with tighter deadlines for evidence submission and ruling suspension requests.
United Kingdom Consumer
GA
Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance (GALA)
See more

Latest Videos

See more