United Kingdom: Consumer Protection

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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
UK Government Publishes Draft Guidance And Regulations For New Subscription Contract Rules
The UK government has released draft guidance and regulations for a new subscription contract regime that will fundamentally change how businesses manage consumer subscriptions from January 2027. The rules aim to eliminate "subscription traps" by imposing strict requirements on pre-contract information, reminder notices, cancellation mechanisms, and refund rights.
United Kingdom Consumer
LS
Lewis Silkin
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
Will Great Britain Follow The EU With Reform Of Product Liability Law?
The Law Commission has published its consultation on reforming UK product liability law, proposing significant changes including expanded definitions of products to cover AI and software, new liability frameworks for digital platforms, and revised defect determination principles. The consultation invites responses to 62 questions and runs until January 2027, with provisional proposals that could fundamentally reshape how product liability operates in Great Britain's post-Brexit legal landscape.
United Kingdom Consumer
AP
Arnold & Porter
Article
When It’s Not Fair, It’s Not Time-barred: Berry V Black Horse
A county court ruling challenges the conventional understanding of limitation periods in consumer credit claims, finding that sections 140A-C of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 may not be subject to statutory time limits at all. Drawing parallels with the Supreme Court's decision on unfair prejudice petitions, the judgment suggests that unfair relationship claims address a 'state of affairs' rather than a breach of duty, potentially opening the door to historic consumer credit litigation. The decision carries
United Kingdom Consumer
PS
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
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Consumer Law

Article
Around 1,700 Customers Affected By Possible Breaches Of Contract Reveals Consumer And Markets Authority’s New Heating Oil Market Study
The Competition and Markets Authority's recent study into the UK heating oil market reveals critical gaps in consumer protection for 1.5 million households who depend on this essential fuel. When Middle East conflict caused retail prices to surge 92% in early 2026, vulnerable customers faced bills hundreds of pounds higher with limited recourse. The CMA's findings expose how unregulated markets leave consumers exposed during crises and what businesses must understand about regulatory scrutiny.
United Kingdom Anti-trust
HCR Law
Article
UK Government Publishes Draft Guidance And Regulations For New Subscription Contract Rules
The UK government has released draft guidance and regulations for a new subscription contract regime that will fundamentally change how businesses manage consumer subscriptions from January 2027. The rules aim to eliminate "subscription traps" by imposing strict requirements on pre-contract information, reminder notices, cancellation mechanisms, and refund rights.
United Kingdom Consumer
LS
Lewis Silkin
Podcast
The Adlaw Insights Podcast With Brinsley & Geraint: Subscriptions Fast Tracked, The LHF Ad Ban In Action And The Latest On Green Claims
Geraint Lloyd-Taylor and Brinsley Dresden explore the accelerated implementation of the DMCCA subscription regime, examining recent advertising rulings for less healthy foods and the evolving landscape of environmental marketing claims. The discussion provides actionable guidance for businesses navigating these regulatory changes.
United Kingdom Media & IT
LS
Lewis Silkin
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Consumer Trading & Unfair Trading

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
See more

Product Liability & Safety

Article
Will Great Britain Follow The EU With Reform Of Product Liability Law?
The Law Commission has published its consultation on reforming UK product liability law, proposing significant changes including expanded definitions of products to cover AI and software, new liability frameworks for digital platforms, and revised defect determination principles. The consultation invites responses to 62 questions and runs until January 2027, with provisional proposals that could fundamentally reshape how product liability operates in Great Britain's post-Brexit legal landscape.
United Kingdom Consumer
AP
Arnold & Porter
Article
Recent Food Allergy Law Changes: What Benedict’s Law, Natasha’s Law And Owen’s Law Mean
Food allergy deaths remain preventable tragedies despite recent legal reforms in the UK. This analysis examines three critical pieces of legislation—Benedict's Law, Natasha's Law, and the proposed Owen's Law—revealing how each addresses specific gaps in allergy safety across schools, retail, and hospitality sectors, while highlighting the fragmented protections that still leave vulnerable individuals at risk depending on where and how food is served.
United Kingdom Consumer
LD
Leigh Day
Article
Super Shoes In Elite Running — World Athletics Regulations & Legal Risks Explained
Advanced 'super shoes' are transforming elite running performance, but as technology accelerates, so do critical questions around product safety, regulatory compliance and commercial liability. Following the 2026 London Marathon, where both winners wore Adidas' latest carbon-plated footwear, legal experts examine how brands, athletes and governing bodies must navigate the complex intersection of innovation, World Athletics regulations and potential litigation risks.
United Kingdom Media & IT
BL
Brabners LLP
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Consumer Credit

Article
When It’s Not Fair, It’s Not Time-barred: Berry V Black Horse
A county court ruling challenges the conventional understanding of limitation periods in consumer credit claims, finding that sections 140A-C of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 may not be subject to statutory time limits at all. Drawing parallels with the Supreme Court's decision on unfair prejudice petitions, the judgment suggests that unfair relationship claims address a 'state of affairs' rather than a breach of duty, potentially opening the door to historic consumer credit litigation. The decision carries
United Kingdom Consumer
PS
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
Article
Turning Back Time: FCA And FOS Clash Over Historic Consumer Credit Claims
The High Court has rejected the Financial Ombudsman Service's attempt to investigate consumer complaints about lending decisions made more than six years before complaints were raised, providing critical clarity on time limits for FOS complaints. This landmark decision saw unprecedented intervention by the FCA in support of the banks and arrives amid substantial reform to UK consumer financial services law through the Financial Services and Markets Bill.
United Kingdom Finance
PS
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
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Latest Videos

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