This second edition of Mis-Selling Financial Services is a practical guide to litigating claims arising from the mis-sale of financial products and services. It covers the history of 'mis-selling' litigation and provides an updated overview of the regulatory landscape and how such claims are formulated, as well as a thorough review of the key issues. The revised chapters give an in-depth analysis of the financial products which most commonly form the subject of such claims, from credit to collective investment schemes. Key Features: Updated with new chapters on Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) and unfair terms Explanation of the key issues and considerations concerning mis-selling litigation Clear and concise analysis on the law relating to the mis-selling of regulated financial services products Overview of the UK and European regulatory framework governing the sale of financial products, with particular focus on five key product types: credit, mortgages, investments, insurance and collective investment schemes With consideration of key legal and practical concepts and issues, this book is an essential read for practitioners and in-house counsel working in the financial services industry. Academics who are researching within the fields of financial services law or consumer protection will also find this to be an informative text.

This comprehensive and essential Commentary examines both the origins and effect of the EU's 2015 Payment Services Directive (PSD2). Addressing a significant gap in the available literature, the book is divided into two parts: Part I analyses the legislative provisions of the Directive, while Part II explores the PSD2 implementation experience in selected EU Member States as well as in the United Kingdom.

This book studies three interrelated frontiers in civil justice from European and national perspectives, combining theory with policy and insights from practice: the interplay between private and public justice, the digitization of justice, and litigation funding. These current topics are viewed against the backdrop of the requirements of effective access to justice and the overall goal of establishing a sustainable civil justice system in Europe. With perspectives from an impressive selection of contributors the book takes on a pan-European perspective and zooms in on several European jurisdictions, thereby providing a holistic exploration of current civil justice debates and frontiers. It includes chapters dedicated to the interaction between public and private justice, the digitisation of both private dispute resolution and court litigation, including the rapid development and use of advanced forms of Artificial Intelligence, and the funding of justice, especially collective actions and settlements by means of private funding and common funds. Addressing these key issues in the current European debate on civil justice, this book will be an ideal read for academics and policy makers interested in the most recent frontier developments and innovations. Legal practitioners will also benefit from the insight into complex topics such as litigation funding, legal conflicts in a digital age, and resolving disputes in a private setting.

This comprehensive book offers a rigorous analysis of the legal debates, approaches and practice-related issues surrounding financial advice and investor protection. Despite widespread recognition of the importance of financial inclusion more broadly construed, recent financial crises have highlighted deficits in retail investor protection - this book informs the development of robust yet adaptable frameworks to protect investors, including effective enforcement and dispute resolution. Divided into three thematic parts, Financial Advice and Investor Protection begins with a holistic discussion of the subject, including an examination of the impact of relatively recent technical innovations such as robo-advice. The second part evaluates the role of private law in achieving investor protection, considering in particular how tort law, contract law and equity allocate risk and liability for investment advice. Finally, the book outlines the investor protection frameworks in the jurisdictions of six significant financial centres. This book will be a crucial read for various stakeholders in the investor protection debate including practitioners advising clients who work in this field, particularly across several of the jurisdictions covered, as well as policymakers interested in the development of law and regulation in this area. Scholars and students of financial law will also benefit from its comprehensive and critical treatment of the subject.

Since the adoption of the EU Regulation on Insolvency Proceedings in 2000 and its recast in 2015, it has become clear that lawyers engaged in consumer insolvency proceedings are increasingly expected to have a basic understanding of foreign insolvency proceedings, as well as knowledge of the foreign country's court and legal system, legislation and judicial practice. Written by 50 highly qualified insolvency experts from 30 European countries, A Guide to Consumer Insolvency Proceedings in Europe provides the necessary information in the largest, most up-to-date and comprehensive book on this topic. Assisting the readers in their navigation through the differences, similarities, and peculiarities of insolvency proceedings in all Member States of the European Union, Switzerland and Russia, this book is a unique guide to insolvency proceedings across Europe. With contributions by both academics and practitioners, it provides truly multinational coverage of the economic, legal, social, political, and demographic issues in consumer insolvency. Illustrating the numerous practices across Europe, this book allows the reader to evaluate each aspect both on its own merits, as well as in comparison to the approaches applied in other European jurisdictions. This book will be an invaluable tool for insolvency practitioners, judges, lawyers, creditors and debtors throughout Europe, especially those participating in cross-border proceedings. Contributors include: E. Andreeva, R. Bodis, J. Bojars, C. Booth, D. Cerini, A. Demetriadi, M. Dordevic, K. Farry, O. Fromholdt, E. Fronczak, J. Garasic, D. Grant, R. Harrison, E. Hellstrom, F. Helsen, J.-O. Heuer, V. Hoffeld, P. Jaatinen, G. Janoshalmi, B. Holohan, N. Jungmann, T. Kadner Graziano, S. Kantara, P. Keinert, B. Lurger, M. Melcher, L. Montrasio, J. Morais Carvalho, R. Norkus, A. Orgaard, D. Orsula, G. Piazza, J.P. Pinto-Ferreira, K. Pisani Bencini, M. Porzycki, A. Rachwal, M. Reymond, P. Rubellin, V. Sajadova, P. Sprinz, M.E. Storme, T. Tofaridou, H. Vallender, F.J.A. Varona, I. Venieris, P. Viirsalu, O. Zaitsev, A. Zetko, L.G. Zidaru

The recent introduction of the Consumer Protection Act revolutionised consumer rights in South Africa. Along with that, it also fundamentally altered the way in which businesses are required to treat their clients, imposing a new set of obligations – or at least a formalised set of responsibilities – that had been easily circumnavigated or simply ignored before. Marketing campaigns, returns policies, contracts, quality issues, and a host of business practices had to be reviewed and reappraised. Some businesses have done this, while many blithely continue as if nothing has changed, little appreciating the risks of non-compliance and – perhaps more importantly – failing to appreciate that treating consumers fairly is simply a sound business practice. This new work provides a comprehensive overview of consumer law – not just the Act – in a way that follows the typical chain of consumer transactions. It serves to guide, educate and enlighten the professional, the business person and the consumer alike. No business or professional adviser should be without it. Written by a leading specialist in the field, it is simple, clear, comprehensive, authoritative and accessible.

The products that are most often the subject of mis-selling claims are usually both complex and esoteric in nature. This complexity is reflected in the law, regulation and case law that applies to these products. Nowhere is this more true than in the heavily regulated financial services sector. This accessible book is designed to provide a clear and practical guide to claims involving the mis-selling of financial products. Key features include: Clear and concise analysis on the law relating to the mis-selling of regulated financial services products Overview of the UK and European regulatory framework governing the sale of financial products and with particular focus on five key product types: credit, mortgages, interest rate hedging products, insurance, and collective investment schemes Practical information on pleading, and defending claims of mis-selling including the various causes of action and limitation periods Summary of case law which has emerged from sector specific issues and mis-selling 'scandals'. Providing a practical grounding to the topics at hand, this book will be of use to practising lawyers and in-house counsel working within the financial services industry. Academics who are researching within the fields of financial services law or consumer protection will also find this to be an informative text.

The legal issues surrounding the online distribution of content have recently gained prominence due to the European Commission's commitment to the Digital Single Market (DSM). This book is one of the first to provide highly topical analysis of the key legal challenges surrounding the online distribution of content, with particular focus on intellectual property rights, competition law and the regulation of new technologies. Central to the book is the question of whether the Commission's proposed legislative solutions will lead to a more coherent, or more fragmented, legal framework at both EU and member state level. Experts within the field assess how current legislation can be effectively applied and look ahead to examine how potential issues raised by emerging technologies, and the need to develop the online content market beyond the DSM proposal, can be anticipated and addressed. Providing a well-rounded view of the subject, this book will be of interest to scholars working within copyright, competition, and consumer law as well as those researching the development of the internal market more widely. Practising lawyers and in-house counsel who work on licensing and distribution agreements within Europe will also benefit from the analysis of new DSM legislation and associated case studies. Contributors include: A. Alen-Savikko, R.M. Ballardini, M.C. Gamito, K. Havu, K. He, O. Honkkila, M. Kivistoe, T. Knapstad, G. Mazziotti, D. Mendis, P. Mezei, V. Moscon, M. Oker-Blom, T. Pihlajarinne, T. Roos, J. Vesala, K. Weckstroem Lindroos

Since the introduction of the European Unfair Contract Terms Directive (UCTD), there have been far-reaching developments in the digital landscape which have significantly altered the nature of consumer contracts. This timely book examines the changes that have taken place since the advent of the UCTD and analyses the challenges that they pose for consumers entering online standard form contracts today. Illuminating the ways in which digital technology has revolutionised markets and caused a growing number of traders to transition to online business models, Unfair Contract Terms in the Digital Age assesses how the modern contracting landscape adversely impacts consumers. Chapters explore the manifold risks of digitalisation, addressing issues from the lack of transparency of website terms and conditions to the new reach of mass market operators exerting control over European consumers. Against the backdrop of this digital transformation, the book evaluates the key features of the UCTD, questioning whether the Directive can adequately protect Europe's online consumers and counter the perils of unfair terms in standard form contracts. This cutting-edge book is an invaluable resource for scholars and students of consumer law, regulation, and public policy. Policy-makers in EU institutions will also benefit from its assessment of unfair terms law in the digital era.

Acclaim for the first edition:'Steve Weatherill provides an excellent thought-provoking account of EU consumer law and policy. It will be required reading for all those interested in this important subject.' - Paul Craig, St John's College, Oxford, UK 'This is a characteristically excellent book by Steve Weatherill, combining incisive legal analysis of an important policy field with an authoritative and up-to-date account of the underlying legal and constitutional framework.' - Grainne de Burca, European University Institute, Italy This new edition of Stephen Weatherill's acclaimed book provides a comprehensive introduction to all facets of the EU's involvement in consumer law and policy. Consumers are expected to benefit from the EU's project of economic integration, enjoying wider choice and improved quality, and yet they need protection from the dangers that flow from malfunctioning and unfair markets. The EU's consumer law and policy is an attempt to have the best of both worlds - a liberalized yet properly regulated trading space for Europe. This highly esteemed book, now in a brand new edition, provides a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the subject, explaining the evolution of consumer law and policy in the EU in terms of both legislative and judicial activity. The book also situates EU consumer law and policy within its broader social, political and economic context, providing a window to a range of wider issues (and tensions) relating to Union regulatory strategies and their effect on the member states. It concludes with a newly written examination of the relationship between EU and national initiatives of market regulation - symbiosis or disruption? A readable yet critically sound textbook, this fully updated edition will be indispensable for both postgraduate and undergraduate students of EU law. It will also appeal strongly to all academics, regulators and practicing lawyers with an interest in EU trade law or indeed European law more generally. Contents: 1. The Evolution of Consumer Policy in the European Union 2. Negative Law and Market Integration 3. The Law and Practice of Harmonisation 4. Market Transparency and Consumer Protection 5. Regulating the Substance of Consumer Transactions 6. Product Liability 7. European Private Law 8. Advertising and Marketing Law 9. Product Safety Regulation 10. Access to Justice 11. Conclusion: The Challenges of EU Consumer Law Index

The Research Handbook on EU Consumer and Contract Law takes stock of the evolution of this fascinating area of private law to date and identifies key themes for the future development of the law and research agendas. This major Handbook brings together contributions by leading academics from across the EU on the latest developments and controversies in these important areas of law. The Handbook is divided into three distinct and thematic parts: firstly, authors examine a range of cross-cutting issues relevant to both consumer and contract law. The second part discusses specific topics on EU consumer law, including the consumer image within EU law, information duties and unfair contract terms. The final part focuses on a number of important subjects which remain current in the development of EU contract law and presents a number of innovative solutions to the challenges presented in parts one and two. This timely and insightful Handbook will provide both a comprehensive survey of this area of law for the novice researcher and fresh food-for-thought for scholars who have been researching this area of law for many years. Contributors include: E.A. Amayuelas, H. Beale, J.M. Bech Serrat, C. Busch, R. Canavan, P. Cartwright, O.O. Cherednychenko, G. Comparato, G. Cordero-Moss, A. Cygan, L. Gillies, M. Graziadei, M.W. Hesselink, G. Howells, C. Mak, V. Mak, H.-W. Micklitz, B. Pozzo, P. Rott, J. Rutgers, J.M. Smits, Y. Svetiev, E.T.T. Tai, C. Twigg-Flesner, W.H. van Boom, J. Watson, F. Zoll

Over the last 25 years there has been a considerable increase in the awareness of quality related issues. In the world of business and commerce, this awareness has manifested itself in the development of what was the British Quality Standard BS 5750 into what is now the international standard BS EN ISO 9000. Alongside all of this, consumers in general have developed increasingly demanding expectations with regard to the quality of goods and services available in the market place. During a similar period there has also been an increase in legislation, together with an expansion of the common law, which has strengthened the protection already afforded to the consumer.
This book will provide quality practitioners, managers and those with a general interest in quality, with an insight into the legal issues involved. In addition, the book shows how the implementation of a Quality Assurance Management System - such as that required in order to be registered as a firm of assessed capability, in accordance with BS EN ISO 9000 - can act as an aid to businesses seeking to comply with their legal obligations.
In addition, for those following a formal course of study, the contents will prove to be particularly useful to students undertaking the Institute of Quality Assurance's Associate Membership examination: Principles and Techniques of Quality Assurance.

Acclaim for the first edition:'Steve Weatherill provides an excellent thought-provoking account of EU consumer law and policy. It will be required reading for all those interested in this important subject.' - Paul Craig, St John's College, Oxford, UK 'This is a characteristically excellent book by Steve Weatherill, combining incisive legal analysis of an important policy field with an authoritative and up-to-date account of the underlying legal and constitutional framework.' - Grainne de Burca, European University Institute, Italy This new edition of Stephen Weatherill's acclaimed book provides a comprehensive introduction to all facets of the EU's involvement in consumer law and policy. Consumers are expected to benefit from the EU's project of economic integration, enjoying wider choice and improved quality, and yet they need protection from the dangers that flow from malfunctioning and unfair markets. The EU's consumer law and policy is an attempt to have the best of both worlds - a liberalized yet properly regulated trading space for Europe. This highly esteemed book, now in a brand new edition, provides a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the subject, explaining the evolution of consumer law and policy in the EU in terms of both legislative and judicial activity. The book also situates EU consumer law and policy within its broader social, political and economic context, providing a window to a range of wider issues (and tensions) relating to Union regulatory strategies and their effect on the member states. It concludes with a newly written examination of the relationship between EU and national initiatives of market regulation - symbiosis or disruption? A readable yet critically sound textbook, this fully updated edition will be indispensable for both postgraduate and undergraduate students of EU law. It will also appeal strongly to all academics, regulators and practicing lawyers with an interest in EU trade law or indeed European law more generally. Contents: 1. The Evolution of Consumer Policy in the European Union 2. Negative Law and Market Integration 3. The Law and Practice of Harmonisation 4. Market Transparency and Consumer Protection 5. Regulating the Substance of Consumer Transactions 6. Product Liability 7. European Private Law 8. Advertising and Marketing Law 9. Product Safety Regulation 10. Access to Justice 11. Conclusion: The Challenges of EU Consumer Law Index

Passing-on' occurs when harm or loss incurred by a business is passed on to burden that business's customers or the next level of the supply chain. In this authoritative book Magnus Strand provides the first comprehensive examination of passing-on in EU law damages and restitution. The analysis covers a broad range of contexts including competition damages and the repayment of charges. The book offers a systematic examination of the key questions facing parties in a passing-on situation: When can downstream claimants bring an action? How can claimants demonstrate sufficient proximity to the original harmful act or unjustified transaction? Will a possibility of passing-on be relevant to the estimation of the award? These questions are assessed for actions against the EU, a Member State and private individuals. Key features of this book include: * specific EU law focus and guidance that will be relevant to lawyers throughout the EU * a multi-faceted analysis of the defence of passing-on and the position of potential claimants downstream in the supply chain * practical suggestions for consistent approaches to passing-on in EU law across existing and future contexts. This timely work will be an invaluable point of reference for practitioners working in damages and restitution law, but also in other fields of commercial law, including competition law and consumer law. Legislators and policy-makers in the EU and beyond will also benefit from the lucid analysis of the various policy choices made in the EU and US.

Consumer law and policy continues to be of great concern to both national and international regulatory bodies, and the second edition of the Handbook of Research on International Consumer Law provides an updated international and comparative analysis of the central legal and policy issues, in both developed and developing economies. Taking a thematic approach, and yet highlighting issues in different national contexts, the Handbook explores issues which are common to all countries, such as social policy and effective business regulation, and relates consumer law to contemporary trends in human rights law. Features of this edition: consideration of the potential for new regulatory complexity as a result of Brexit? reflections on the growth of middle class consumption in Asia and Latin America and the impact that this will have on business reforms? coverage of increasing divergence between the regulatory models of both the EU and the US? focus on the challenges and opportunities that the digital age presents for consumer market regulation? analysis of the significant changes in consumer credit law and policy since the financial crash of 2008. This Handbook will provide researchers, students and policymakers with an insight to the main policy debates in differing national and sectoral contexts, and provide models of legal regulation which contribute to the evaluation and development of consumer laws and policy. Contributors include: I. Benoehr, O. Dixon, C. Hawes, D.R. Hensler, G. Howells, D. Kingsford Smith, A. MacCulloch, H.-W. Micklitz, J.P. Nehf, J. Niemi, L. Nottage, D.G. Owen, P. Quirk, S. Rachagan, I. Ramsay, J.A. Rothchild, P. Rott, R. Schulze, C. Scott, K. Tokeley, C. Twigg-Flesner, J. Watson, T. Wilhelmsson, C. Willett

This incisive book gives a comprehensive overview of the regulation of consumer credit in both the US and the UK. It covers policy, procedure and the dynamics of the consumer credit relationship to advocate for a balanced approach in achieving more effective consumer protection. Sarah Brown traces the development of the consumer credit relationship on both sides of the Atlantic, analysing the underlying rationale and policy themes that continue to inform the shaping of the regulatory agenda. The author compares the ways in which the consumer credit relationship is now managed, including supervisory frameworks and the roles of regulators, and provides new perspectives on current arguments in credit consumer protection. Important topical issues such as unfairness, over-indebtedness, predatory lending, vulnerability and questions of responsibility are addressed, before concluding with a recommendation for the best way forward based on a balance of interests. Researchers and students aiming to understand the processes and broader aspects of consumer credit regulation will find this book invaluable, particularly those with an interest in comparative analysis in this context. It will also prove useful to US and UK policy-makers considering future approaches and reform, as well as practitioners interested in frameworks of consumer credit protection.

Consumer law and policy has emerged in the last half-century as a major policy concern for all nations. This Handbook of original contributions provides an international and comparative analysis of central issues in consumer law and policy in developed and developing economies.The Handbook encompasses questions of both social policy and effective business regulation. Many of the issues are common to all countries and are becoming increasingly globalised due to the growth in international trade and technological developments such as the Internet. The authors provide a broad coverage of both substantive topics and institutional questions concerning optimal approaches to enforcement and the role of class actions in consumer policy. It also includes comparative insights into the influential EU and US models of consumer law and relates consumer law to contemporary trends in human rights law. Written by a carefully selected group of international experts, this text represents an authoritative resource for understanding contemporary and future developments in consumer law. This Handbook will provide students, researchers and policymakers with an insight to the main policy debates in each context and provide models of legal regulation to assist in the evaluation of laws and the development of consumer law and policy.

The public sector ombudsman has become one of the most important administrative justice institutions in many countries around the world. This international and interdisciplinary Research Handbook brings together leading scholars and practitioners to discuss the state-of-the-art research on this increasingly prominent institution. Traditionally, research on the ombudsman has been conducted from a purely prescriptive or (legal) descriptive perspective, mainly focusing on the ombudsman 'in the books'. By contrast, this book illustrates how empirical research may contribute to a better understanding of the ombudsman 'in action'. It uses new empirical studies and competing theoretical explanations to critically examine important aspects of the ombudsman's work. The Research Handbook is organized in to four parts: fundamentals of the ombudsman; the evolution of the ombudsman; evaluation of the ombudsman; and the ombudsman office and profession. Featuring case studies from Europe, Canada, Asia, Africa, Latin America and Australia, chapters provide a comprehensive global perspective on the issues at hand. This unique Research Handbook will be of great value to researchers in the fields of public law, socio-legal studies and alternative dispute resolution who have an interest in the ombudsman. It will also be a valuable resource for policymakers and practitioners, particularly those working within ombudsman offices. Contributors include: V. Ayeni, C.A. Barco, A. Bedner, R. Behrens, V. Bondy, B. Bradford, A. Brenninkmeijer, S. Carl, J. Chan, N. Creutzfeldt, J. Dahlvik, M. de Langen, M. Doyle, L. Diez, C. Gill, E. Govers, M. Groves, C. Harlow, M. Hertogh, C. Hodges, B. Hubeau, R. Kirkham, M. Lezertua, J. McMillan, N. O'Brien, A. Pohn-Weidinger, L.C. Reif, M. Remac, A. Stumckhe, P. Tyndall, B. Tai, Y. van der Vlugt, E. van Gelder, R. van Zutphen, V. Wong

This thorough and detailed Research Handbook explores the complexity of the governance of sales contracts in the modern world. It considers what is, and what ought to be, the role of traditional sales law in light of the growing diversity of commercial, trade and transactional contexts in which such contracts are made and performed. Offering an international and comparative perspective, leading experts in the field examine many topical aspects of sales law and practice. These include digital technologies, long-term contracts, global supply chains and trade in commodities. Chapters also investigate the diversity of sources that govern sales contracts today, particularly those sources that emanate from the industry and commercial players, such as standard form contracts, rules of trade associations, trade usages and trade terms. Through this critical and highly analytical examination, this Research Handbook ultimately demonstrates that the sources of governance found within the industrial sector are as important as traditional sales law, if not more so, in terms of their role in governing sales contracts in contemporary society. This timely and engaging Research Handbook will prove an essential read for students, scholars and legal practitioners with an interest in international commercial sales and contract law. Practitioners working in international trade across industry and the commercial sector will also benefit from its practical approach. Contributors include: R. Aikens, M. Bridge, F. Cafaggi, J. Coetzee, C.P. Gillette, M. Goldby, S. Green, M. Hammerson, C. Hare, E. Richardson, D. Saidov, M. Schillig, U.G. Schroeter, L. Spagnolo, A. Tettenborn, P. Wallace

'Consumer law has truly matured as an object of scholarly inquiry in recent years, in particular (but not only) through the embrace of sophisticated insights into real-life consumer behaviour as a basis for regulatory design. This book brings together writers who have been and remain at the forefront of intellectual inquiry, and it permits them to enrich thinking about patterns and styles of research into consumer law.' - Stephen Weatherill, University of Oxford, UK European consumer law seeks to ensure that consumers receive sufficient information about goods and services, are not subject to unfair contract clauses or unfair commercial practices, and have the means to redress grievances. This Handbook specifically considers the impacts of different disciplines and methods as it presents the state of the art in consumer law research and in particular offers intriguing new insights from behavioural science. Research Methods in Consumer Law shows how different lenses help to highlight under-researched areas of consumer law and engage with current debates in order to suggest pertinent legal reforms. Rules meant to protect consumers are often premised on the fact that small print is read, understood and acted upon. Acknowledging that this is rarely the case, the expert contributors offer new perspectives, informed by the study of how real people behave and paying careful attention to methodology. Offering the tools to engage in promising and socially useful legal research, this Handbook will appeal to students and scholars across the fields of law and behavioural science, as it offers a fresh look at the relation between EU consumer law and other disciplines oriented to solving practical problems. Contributors include: M. Artigot Golobardes, F. Esposito, S. Frerichs, F. Gomez Pomar, P. Hacker, G. Helleringer, J. Luzak, M. Malecka, H.-W. Micklitz, F. Moeslein, M. Nagatsu, K.P. Purnhagen, G. Ruhl, A.-L. Sibony, J. Trzaskowski, F. Weber

Key Facts has been specifically written for students studying Law. It is the essential revision tool for a broad range of law courses from A Level to degree level. Consumer Law is also relevant to courses for Trading Standards Officers and many Business Studies courses. The series is written and edited by an expert team of authors whose experience means they know exactly what is required in a revision aid. They include examiners, barristers and lecturers who have brought their expertise and knowledge to the series to make it user-friendly and accessible. Chapters include: The character of consumer contracts / Consumer protection in contract law / Contracts for sale of goods / Unsolicited goods / Distance selling / Contracts to provide services / Protection under the law of tort / Exemption clauses & unfair terms in consumer contracts / The Consumer Protection Act 1987 / Criminal Law as a means of consumer protection / Consumer finance / Trade Descriptions Act 1968 / Misleading proce indications / Regulating advertising / Insurance / Holidays / Food.