Latest news with #ConsumerRightsAct
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
I bought a new fan and it broke after just a fortnight. Can I get my money back? DEAN DUNHAM has the surprising answer
R.L. asks: The fan I bought just a fortnight ago has stopped working. Can I get my money back? I've been using it for seven hours a night since I bought it. DEAN DUNHAM replies: The Consumer Rights Act says that goods must be fit for purpose, of satisfactory quality and as described.
Hamilton Spectator
08-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Epiq Bolsters its Leadership of Class Action Administration in the UK and Europe with the Acquisition of Case Pilots
NEW YORK, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Epiq announced today that it has acquired Case Pilots, one of the UK's leading claims administration companies. Epiq is the world's leading class actions and claims administrator and the largest in North America. The firm's stellar reputation is evidenced through the successful management and distribution of some of the largest settlements in history. With over 30 years' experience, clients rely on the deep bench of Epiq experts for guidance in driving cases forward and helping to deliver positive outcomes in the highest-profile and most-complex collective actions in the world. Epiq has been supporting Class Representatives and law firms bringing collective actions in the UK since the Consumer Rights Act was passed in 2015. In addition to building on the expertise and technology solutions delivered to clients, this acquisition expands Epiq's offering in the market to include the administration of group litigation, reinforcing its position as a global leader in the space. Case Pilots employees have joined Epiq, including Co-founder and CEO Clare Ducksbury, who will now serve as Senior Vice President, Epiq Class Action Solutions Europe, and Co-founder and Chief Information Officer Clinton Smith, who will join Epiq's product development team in a leadership role. The Case Pilots team has a solid track record of providing strategic consulting advice to law firms tackling the challenges posed by collective actions in the UK and Continental Europe. Nicole Hamann , President of the Class Action, Remediation, and Mass Tort business at Epiq, said, 'The acquisition of Case Pilots marks a significant milestone and reinforces and expands the ability of Epiq to deliver claims management services to clients across the globe by strengthening our foothold in the UK and Europe. The excellent reputations of Clare, Clinton, and the Case Pilots team in the UK market is well-earned and we look forward to what we will accomplish together for our clients.' Commenting on the acquisition, Clare Ducksbury said, 'We are delighted to be joining forces with Epiq, who is the global leader in this space, and we look forward to expanding the breadth of technology solutions and expertise that we can offer to our much-valued clients. Our team has a strong track record of supporting group and collective actions in the UK and Europe, and we are all very excited about what's ahead.' Epiq Class Action and Claims Solutions operates globally including in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Europe. Epiq has been ranked first among claims administrators by Institutional Shareholder Services Securities Class Action Services for the last seven years, having administered most of the largest US class actions settlements exceeding a total of $35 billion in value. Leveraging advanced technology and rigorous data security protocols, Epiq works with the Courts, settling parties and class members to efficiently and securely manage and distribute class action and mass tort settlements. About Epiq Epiq, a technology and services leader, takes on large-scale and complex tasks for corporate legal departments, law firms, and business professionals by integrating people, process, technology, and data. Clients rely on Epiq to streamline legal and compliance, settlement, and business administration workflows to drive efficiency, minimize risk, and improve cost savings. With a presence in 19 countries, our values define who we are and how we partner with clients and communities. Learn how Epiq and its 6,100 people worldwide create meaningful change at . Press Contact Carrie Trent Epiq, Senior Director of Communications and Public Relations A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
The Irish Sun
30-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
Mum shares the ‘awful reality' of having a new build social housing home – and people think the builders did her ‘dirty'
A MOTHER has shared a close-up look at the 'reality' of having a new build home. And not only did others claim to have experienced the same with their 'awful' Advertisement 2 A mother has shared the 'reality' of 'snags' in a new build property Credit: TikTok/@kez1643 2 As she gave her followers a close-up look at her garden, social media users were left totally stunned Credit: TikTok/@kez1643 Posting on social media, Kez, a single mother from the UK who recently moved into a During a seven-second clip that was shared online just days ago, the savvy mum lifted up a patch of Alongside the clip, the bargain-hunter wrote: 'New build life be like…' Not only this, but as she showed off the 'new build snags', she then explained: 'Reality of having a Advertisement Read more Fabulous stories She also added: 'Then they tell you to keep watering it so it doesn't die.' According to The experts suggest that topsoil should be at least 15cm thick for satisfactory lawn growth, 30cm for shrubs and ideally deeper still for trees. If less, Having 15cm as standard will ensure healthy root development, water retention and nutrient availability, which are all essential for plant survival and growth. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Exclusive Kez's TikTok clip, which shows a clear lack of topsoil, was posted under the username @ Not only this, but it's also amassed 2,354 likes, 112 comments and 282 shares. I've transformed my horrendous council house & now I want to buy it - haters say I'm contributing to the housing crisis Social media users were gobsmacked by Kez's One person said: 'New builds are required to have 30cm of topsoil… they did you dirty.' Advertisement Oh my god same!!! Mine's awful TikTok user Another added: 'I used to clean new builds... I wouldn't live in one. My friend got given one from the A third commented: 'This happened to us with our new build a few years ago. What to do if you fall foul of a dodgy builder Under the Consumer Rights Act, anyone who enters a contract for goods and services can expect these to be supplied with reasonable care and skill - and this includes builders, plumbers, decorators and electricians. It also includes materials, which should be of satisfactory quality, as described and fit for purpose. If you've fallen victim to a builder, or had a dispute with your contractors, you should firstly collate all evidence you have, including paperwork, photos, videos, messages and bank statements. Then, try to resolve the issues directly with the firm, before trying an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme such as mediation or ombudsman services. If this doesn't work, contact your bank to find out whether you can recover any money spent using Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act (if the job cost between £100 and £30,000, your credit card company is jointly liable if something goes wrong). If this doesn't work, report them to the police on 101. While the lines between what is criminal and just bad practice are blurred, a contractor could be done for fraud. It is also important to contact Trading Standards. Citizens' Advice has an online form to help you do this. TS will then decide whether to investigate further based on the information you provide and help negotiate a settlement. Even if it doesn't, the details may help if anyone else complains about the same firm. It is also possible to take builders to a small claims court if you have been left out of pocket. However, you run the risk of racking up significant costs. While most home insurance policies don't cover building work, it is worth confirming this with your provider. And you should also, if possible, find out whether your builder holds liability insurance, which would also help. "The builders put turf on top of builders rubble in the back garden. The turf lasted a few weeks!' Not only this, but someone else wrote: 'Oh my god same!!! Mine's awful.' Advertisement At the same time, another user gasped: 'It's crazy how many people fall for the trap of buying a new build.' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club
Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'I saved over £1,300 by cancelling payments and cutting my bills'
Every year I grit my teeth and go back through all of my accounts to look for sneaky subscriptions hiding in my regular payments, says consumer rights expert Martyn James If you want to save some cash, then cancelling subscriptions and regular payments that you no longer want or need is the most effective way to do it. In fact, you can even claim money back. Every year I grit my teeth and go back through all of my accounts to look for sneaky subscriptions hiding in my regular payments. This is worth doing, because a few years back I managed to save over £1,300 by getting rid of subscriptions I didn't want or need and by renegotiating contracts. Spotting regular and unauthorised payments isn't easy. Most of the banking apps I've seen that list subscriptions seem to only highlight obvious direct debits, standing orders or utility bills. However, businesses are often able to disguise the money they debit from you in the depths of your accounts with cryptic terms. So for now, you'll still need to go back through your bank and credit card accounts for a year to find all these debits. Shockingly, payments can even be taken from your mobile phone bill! Above all else, keep an eye out for subscription traps. What is a subscription trap? The term 'subscription trap' is most commonly used to refer to offers where you sign up for a free trial, like an online shopping membership scheme or an annual contract for goods or services. Many subscriptions are legitimate, but others are outright rip-offs, charging you for things you neither want or need. Citizens Advice estimated that people were forking out £160 on average on unwanted services. The good news is the law is clamping down on subscription traps, thanks to the Digital Markets, Competitions and Consumers Act 2024. We are still waiting to find out precisely how the new law will work, however, anyone trading in the UK should be aware that trapping people in to regular payments and making it hard to get out of these agreements is going to be more or less banned – so you can fight back now! What are my rights with subscriptions? A subscription is any service where you pay up front or a regular fee to receive a product or service in return. Subscriptions most commonly bill you monthly, annually or irregularly. When you buy things, you enter in to a contract with the business or organisation. A contract is any agreement where the seller agrees to provide goods or services in return for payment. This doesn't have to be in writing. A contract occurs when you buy in a shop, online or over the phone – even if you don't get a formal, written agreement. I often mention them in this column, but the Consumer Rights Act and the Consumer Contract Regulations are the laws that protect you when you are paying for goods and services. These laws cover things you've bought and paid for don't turn up, aren't as advertised, are damaged or don't work or don't last a reasonable period of time – and that includes subscription services. You may find that some subscriptions charge you different amounts each month, but only businesses are only allowed to do this if they give you advance notice or seek your permission. One of the most notorious subscription trap scams is where you sign up for a free trial of goods or services, only to be hit with major debits when the trial period ends – often for substandard goods or things that don't even turn up. This practice is likely to be massively clamped down on in the coming year. But if you've been affected now, cancel the payment with your card provider or bank straight away and demand your money back. Can I cancel a contract or subscription if I'm not happy? You certainly can! If you want to leave a contract that you are 'locked in to' for a longer period, like a gym membership or a magazine subscription, you can leave without paying a penalty if you demonstrate you aren't getting what you paid for. For example: If you aren't getting what you were explicitly told you would get when you signed up to the subscription. The service has changed significantly over time. The quality of the goods or services has been misrepresented. You can also ask for a refund if you've paid up front for an annual subscription. Dealing with a difficult retailer Sometimes shops refuse to refund you or let you out of contracts even though you have every right to. They are usually gambling on the fact that you'll shut up and put up. Don't! If the business isn't playing ball, ask for an email address so you can make a formal complaint. Cite the laws I mentioned in this article and why you are unhappy with the service and why you don't think it's what you paid for. Make it clear what you want to resolve the complaint too. This might be a full refund, a partial or proportional refund or simply to exit the agreement without fees or charges. If they are still being difficult, you'll need to threaten the business with the Small Claims Court. You can read my guide about how this works. How do I deal with dodgy subscription trap firms? If you've spotted that you've been paying for a subscription trap after a free trial – or even when you're being debited for a service you never wanted or needed – play hardball. These contracts can be cancelled immediately with your bank, card provider or e-payment service. If you were misled in to taking out a contract or you didn't authorise a business to charge you, you can ask for a full refund. The firm has to be able to prove you agreed to the contract. Even if you signed up to a free trial, you can ask for your money back if you are being charged amounts that you never agreed to.
Scottish Sun
20-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Cheapest supermarket for school uniforms revealed and prices are LOWER than buying second-hand on Vinted
We also reveal the dates that school uniforms will go on sale BARGAIN HUNTER Cheapest supermarket for school uniforms revealed and prices are LOWER than buying second-hand on Vinted THE cheapest supermarket to get a school uniform has been revealed - and you could pay less than buying second-hand on Vinted. Aldi and Lidl have come out on top this year as the supermarkets with the lowest prices for uniforms, according to analysis by The Sun, with prices at both stores frozen since 2022. 2 Aldi is one of the cheapest supermarkets to buy a school uniform Credit: Alamy 2 Lidl is also offering some of the cheapest uniforms, bringing back its £5 bundles this year Credit: Alamy The budget retailers are bringing back their school uniform "bundles" for ages 4-12, so parents can get two polo shirts, a sweatshirt, and trousers, a skirt or shorts from just £5. Many individual uniform items at both Aldi and Lidl start from less than £2, with trousers and skirts priced from £1.75, sweatshirts from £1.50, and a two-pack of polo shirts from £2.49. School shirts from both retailers work out at around £1.20 each, with Lidl offering a two-pack for £2.49 and Aldi offering a three-pack for £3.69. The Sun has found that parents could kit out their little ones with a school uniform from the budget supermarkets this year for less than if they were to buy the items second-hand on Vinted. Over 500 sellers on the online marketplace are currently offering "school uniform" items, with many working out as more expensive than Aldi and Lidl's offering. For example, one seller has posted two used grey pleated skirts for age 5 years for £5.69, meaning you would save over £2 buying two new skirts from Aldi or Lidl. Another is selling grey boys shorts for age 5 years for £2.46 - over 70p more than the supermarket prices. There are also several polo shirts up for sale on the website, with one seller offering a set of two navy polo shirts for ages 5-6 for £4.08 - meaning you'd make a saving of £1.60 if you bought them new from Aldi or Lidl. While you can still save money by buying a school uniform second-hand, there are benefits to purchasing from an established retailer if you can. Consumer expert Martyn James says: "It makes much more sense to buy new from a retailer where your shopping rights are much clearer than on the second hand market. Sainsbury's scraps in-store changing rooms leaving shoppers furious "But don't forget that the Consumer Rights Act covers all purchases you make from shops and even individuals – just check the T&Cs!" School uniforms will be hitting supermarket shelves in the coming weeks, with Aldi launching its back to school range on June 29 and Lidl's available from July 6. What other supermarkets are selling school uniforms? School uniforms will be available in almost all UK supermarkets, as well as some other high street stores, in the coming weeks. Sainsbury's Sainsbury's launched its 2025 school uniform offering on June 15, with prices starting at £3 for a two-pack of white polo shirts. The supermarket is also offering customers 20% off its school uniform range until this Sunday, June 22. Sainsbury's school uniform prices are as follows: Cardigan: 2pck from £8 (£6.40 in sale) Trousers: 2pck from £7 (£5.60 in sale) Skirt: 2pck from £7 (£5.60 in sale) Polo shirts: 2pck from £3 (£2.40 in sale) Sweatshirt: 2pck from £4 (£3.20 in sale) Shirts: 3pck from £4 (£3.20 in sale) Asda Asda sells school uniforms all year round both in store and online, via its clothing range George at Asda. It's latest uniform prices can be found here: Cardigan: 2pck from £8 Trousers: 2pck from £7; you can also get a 5 pack from £20 Skirt: 2pck from £7 Polo shirts: 2pck from £3; or 5 pack from £7.50 Sweatshirt: 2pck from £5; or 5 pack from £12.50 Shirts: 2pck from £3.50; or 5 pack from £8.50 Tesco Tesco is set to launch its back to school range in stores in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on July 21, while shoppers in Scotland can get school kit from July 7. The retailer is yet to reveal the full details of what will be on offer and pricing for its new range, but last year it slashed prices by 25% for Clubcard customers. There are currently several school uniform items available on the Tesco website, with prices as follows: Cardigan: 2pck from £8 Trousers: 2pck from £11 Skirt: 2pck from £11 Polo shirts: 3pck £4.50 Sweatshirt: 2pck £8 Shirts: 3pck from £9 M&S M&S sells school uniform items all year round, with online prices starting from £2.49. Prices currently online are below: Cardigan: from £5 Trousers: 2pck from £11 Skirt: 2pck from £10 Polo shirts: 2pck from £4.50 Sweatshirt: from £6 Shirts: 3pck from £9 How to get a discount on school uniforms Grants to help with school uniform costs are offered by several councils across England, with up to £200 free cash available to parents. The Household Support Fund (HSF) is designed to help those on a low income, benefits, or classed as vulnerable. To apply, you'll need to get in touch with your local council. Most councils have pages on their website dedicated to the HSF, while you can also call your local authority to find out if you are eligible for the support scheme. Unlike in England, all local authorities in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales offer school uniform grants. It's also worth checking out your local charity shop to see what's on offer. Some charity shops have deals with uniform manufacturers and retailers meaning you can get brand new items at bargain prices. Meanwhile, many schools and community groups run second-hand uniform exchanges where parents can find and donate uniforms. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
