Consumer Disputes

According to the Office of Fair Trading, unsatisfactory goods and services cost British consumers more than £8 billion a year.

Under English law, traders need to comply with the legislation and regulations on the sale of goods. The law on this area has evolved over many years and is principally set out in the Sale of Goods Act 1979, as amended by the Sale and Supply of Goods Act 1994 and the Sale and Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulations 2002.

All buyers of goods and services are entitled to remedies under the legislation but consumers are entitled to a greater range of remedies. ‘Consumers’ are people who are buying for themselves, i.e. not for their trade, business or profession. All buyers are entitled to goods of satisfactory quality but cannot, for example, expect a legal remedy for fair wear and tear or a fault they should have discovered on reasonable inspection.

Whether you are a consumer seeking redress or a trader seeking to ensure you comply with your obligations, our consumer team can offers an in-depth comprehensive service in all consumer matters and can advise and represent you to a successful resolution of any consumer disputes.