Related provisions for DISP 3.5.15
1 - 20 of 33 items.
Factors that may be relevant in the assessment of a MiFID complaint under DISP 1.1A.20R(2) include the following:
(1) all the evidence available and the particular circumstances of the complaint;(2)
similarities with other complaints received by the respondent;
(3) relevant guidance published by the FCA, other relevant regulators, the Financial Ombudsman Service or former schemes; and
(4) appropriate analysis of decisions by the Financial Ombudsman Service concerning similar
Where a MiFID complaint against a MiFID investment firm is referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service, the MiFID investment firm must cooperate fully with the Financial Ombudsman Service and comply promptly with any settlements or awards made by it.
[Note: subject to a few minor changes reflecting its amended application, this provision replicates DISP 1.4.4R.]
The explanation given by MiFID investment firms to clients or potential clients in accordance with DISP 1.1A.25EU must also:
(1) refer to the fact that the complainant has made a MiFID complaint and inform the complainant that the MiFID investment firm now considers the MiFID complaint to have been resolved;(2)
inform the complainant that if, still dissatisfied with the resolution of the MiFID complaint, the complainant may be able to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service;
(3)
The explanation given by MiFID investment firms to clients or potential clients in accordance with DISP 1.1A.30EU must also:(1) enclose a copy of the Financial Ombudsman Service's standard explanatory leaflet;
(2) provide the website address of the Financial Ombudsman Service;(3)
inform the complainant that if, still dissatisfied with the respondent's response, the complaint may now be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service; and
(4) indicate whether or not the respondent
If a MiFID investment firm receives a MiFID complaint which is outside the time limits for referral to the Financial Ombudsman Service (see DISP 2.8) it may reject the MiFID complaint without considering the merits, but must explain this to the complainant in a final response.
[Note: subject to a few minor changes reflecting its amended application, this provision replicates DISP 1.8]
7The Ombudsman can consider a complaint under the Compulsory Jurisdiction if it relates to an act or omission by a firm in carrying on one or more of the following activities:(1) regulated activities
(other than auction regulation bidding and administering a benchmark20 );10(1A) payment services;7(1B) [deleted]1312(1C) CBTL business;14(2) [deleted]11321132(3) lending money secured by a charge on land;(4) lending money (excluding restricted credit where that is not a
credit-related
17The Ombudsman can also consider a complaint under the Compulsory Jurisdiction if it relates to an act or omission by:
(1) an investment firm authorised under MiFID when providing investment services or ancillary services;(2)
a CRD credit institution when providing one or more investment services;(3)
an investment firm authorised under MiFID or a CRD credit institution when selling structured deposits to clients, or advising clients on them;(4)
a collective portfolio management
17For the purposes of DISP 2.3.1AR, the Ombudsman can consider a complaint about an act carried out by a MiFID investment firm that is preparatory to the provision of an investment service or ancillary service which is an integral part of such a service. This includes, for example, generic advice given by a MiFID investment firm to a client prior to, or in the course of, the provision of investment advice or another investment service or ancillary service.
[Note: recitals 15 and
The Ombudsman can also consider under the Compulsory Jurisdiction:630630(1) as a result of the Ombudsman Transitional Order, a relevant existing complaint or a relevant new complaint that relates to an act or omission by a firm or an unauthorised person which was subject to a former scheme immediately before commencement;21(2) as a result of the Mortgages and General Insurance Complaints Transitional Order, a relevant transitional complaint that relates to an act or omission by
1132In accordance with article 11 of the Regulated Activities Amendment Order, the Ombudsman can also consider under the Compulsory Jurisdiction:(1) a relevant existing credit-related complaint referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service before 1 April 2014 which was formerly being dealt with under the Consumer Credit Jurisdiction; and(2) a relevant new credit-related complaint referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service on or after 1 April 2014 which relates to an act or omission
7The Ombudsman can consider a complaint under the Compulsory Jurisdiction if it relates to an act or omission by a payment service provider in carrying on:(1) payment services; or(2) credit-related regulated activities;11321132or any ancillary activities, including advice, carried on by the payment service provider in connection with them.
931The Ombudsman can consider a complaint under the Compulsory Jurisdiction if it relates to an act or omission by an electronic money issuer in carrying on:(1) issuance of electronic money; or(2) credit-related regulated activities;11321132or any ancillary activities, including advice, carried on by the electronic money issuer in connection with them.
8As a result of section 404B(11) of the Act, the Ombudsman can also consider under the Compulsory Jurisdiction a complaint from a complainant who:(1) is not satisfied with a redress determination made by a respondent under a consumer redress scheme; or(2) considers that a respondent has failed to make a redress determination in accordance with a consumer redress scheme.
15The Ombudsman can consider a complaint under the Compulsory Jurisdiction if it relates to an act or omission by a designated credit reference agency in carrying on: (1) the activity of providing credit information under the Small and Medium Sized Business (Credit Information) Regulations; or (2) any ancillary activities, including advice, carried on by the designated credit reference agency in connection with the activity in (1).
16The Ombudsman can consider a complaint under the Compulsory Jurisdiction if it relates to an act or omission by a designated finance platform in carrying on: (1) the activity of providing specified information under the Small and Medium Sized Business (Finance Platforms) Regulations; or (2) any ancillary activities, including advice, carried on by the designated finance platform in connection with the activity in (1).
Where a complaint is determined in favour of the complainant, the Ombudsman's determination may include one or more of the following:17(1) a money award against the respondent; or1717(2) an interest award against the respondent; or1717(3) a costs award against the respondent; or1717(4) a direction to the respondent.17
Except in relation to a “relevant complaint” within the meaning of section 404B(3) of the Act10, a9 money award may be such amount as the Ombudsman considers to be fair compensation for one or more of the following:9(1) financial loss (including consequential or prospective loss); or(2) pain and suffering; or(3) damage to reputation; or(4) distress or inconvenience;whether or not a court would award compensation.17
17Where the Ombudsman is determining what amount (if any) constitutes fair compensation as a money award in relation to a relevant new complaint, a relevant transitional complaint or a relevant new claims management complaint4, the Ombudsman Transitional Order, the Mortgages and General Insurance Complaints Transitional Order and the Claims Management Order make provision for4 him to take into account what amount (if any) might have been expected to be awarded by way of compensation
17If the Ombudsman considers that fair compensation requires payment of a larger amount, he may recommend that the respondent pays the complainant the balance. The effect of section 404B(6) of the Act is that this is also the case in relation to a “relevant complaint” within the meaning of section 404B(3) of the Act.109
17
Except in relation to a “relevant complaint” within the meaning of section 404B(3) of the Act10, a9 direction may require the
respondent9
to take such steps in relation to the complainant as the Ombudsman considers just and appropriate (whether or not a court could order those steps to be taken).99
637This chapter contains rules and guidance on how respondents should deal promptly and fairly with complaints in respect of business carried on from establishments in the United Kingdom,11 by certain branches of firms in the EEA or by certain EEA firms carrying out activities in the United Kingdom under the freedom to provide cross border services.11 In respect of regulated claims management activities, this chapter applies to business carried on in Great Britain (see PERG 2.4A).28
10The scope of this sourcebook does not include:(1) a complaint about pre-commencement investment business which was regulated by a recognised professional body (those complaints will be handled under the arrangements of that professional body); or(2) a complaint about the administration of an occupational pension scheme, because this is not a regulated activity (firms should refer complainants to the Pensions Ombudsman25 rather than to the Financial Ombudsman Service and should
(1) A firm, payment service provider20, electronic money issuer, 22designated credit reference agency20 or designated finance platform22 falling within the Compulsory Jurisdiction which does not conduct business with eligible complainants and has no reasonable likelihood of doing so, can, by written notification to the
FCA
, claim exemption from the rules relating to the funding of the Financial Ombudsman Service, and from the remainder of this chapter.133981339(2) Notwithstanding
Members will individually comply with this chapter if and only if all complaints by policyholders against members are dealt with under the Lloyd's complaints procedures. Accordingly, certain of the obligations under this chapter, for example the obligation to report on complaints received and the obligation to pay fees under the rules relating to the funding of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FEES 5), must be complied with by the Society on behalf of members. Managing agents
Unless the respondent has already had eight weeks to consider the complaint (or for EMD complaints and PSD complaints the time specified by DISP 2.8.1R(2A))3 or issued a final response or summary resolution communication, 9the Ombudsman will refer the complaint to the respondent (except where DISP 2.8.1R(4) applies).8268
7If the subject matter of a complaint falls to be dealt with by the respondent under a consumer redress scheme, and the time limits specified under the scheme for doing so have not yet expired, the Ombudsman will refer it to the respondent to be dealt with under the scheme (except where DISP 2.8.1R(4) applies).88
15The Ombudsman may:(1) exclude evidence that would otherwise be admissible in a court or include evidence that would not be admissible in a court;(2) accept information in confidence (so that only an edited version, summary or description is disclosed to the other party) where he considers it appropriate;(3) reach a decision on the basis of what has been supplied and take account of the failure by a party to provide information requested; and(4) treat the complaint as withdrawn
19The Ombudsman can only consider a complaint if:(1) the respondent has already sent the complainant its final response or summary resolution communication; or51212(2) in relation to a complaint that is not an EMD complaint or a PSD complaint,8 eight weeks have elapsed since the respondent received the complaint; or3(2A) in relation to a complaint that is an EMD complaint or a PSD complaint:8(a) 15 business days have elapsed since the respondent received the complaint and the
19The Ombudsman cannot consider a complaint if the complainant refers it to the Financial Ombudsman Service:(1) more than six months after the date on which the respondent sent the complainant its final response, 512redress determination or summary resolution communication512; or3(2) more than: (a) six years after the event complained of; or (if later)(b) three years from the date on which the complainant became aware (or ought reasonably to have become aware) that he had cause
19The six-month time limit is only triggered by a response which is a final response, redress determination or summary resolution communication512. The response 411must tell the complainant about the six-month time limit that the complainant has to refer a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service.411512411
Subject to DISP 1.6.2AR, the5respondent must, by the end of eight weeks after its receipt of the complaint, send the complainant:(1) a 'final response', being a written response from the respondent which:3939(a) accepts the complaint and, where appropriate, offers redress or remedial action; or(b) offers redress or remedial action without accepting the complaint; or(c) rejects the complaint and gives reasons for doing so;and which:(d) encloses a copy of the Financial Ombudsman
DISP 1.6.2 R does not apply if the complainant has already indicated in writing acceptance of a response by the respondent, provided that the response:28(1) informed the complainant how to pursue his complaint with the respondent if he remains dissatisfied; 28410(2) referred to the ultimate availability of the Financial Ombudsman Service if he remains dissatisfied with the respondent's response;28(3) enclosed a copy of the Financial Ombudsman Service standard explanatory leaflet;410(4)
28The information regarding the Financial Ombudsman Service,5 required to be provided in responses sent under the complaints time limit rules (DISP 1.6.2 R, DISP 1.6.2AR and DISP 1.6.4 R),5 should be set out clearly, comprehensibly, in an easily accessible way and 410prominently within the text of those responses.3939[Note: article 13 of the ADR Directive]410
If a respondent is in doubt about the eligibility of a business, charity or trust, it should treat the complainant as if it were eligible. If the complaint is referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service, the Ombudsman will determine eligibility by reference to appropriate evidence, such as audited accounts or VAT returns.125
125In the Compulsory Jurisdiction, under the Ombudsman Transitional Order, the Mortgages and General Insurance Complaints Transitional Order and Claims Management Order17, where a complainant:(1) wishes to have a relevant new complaint, a relevant transitional complaint or a relevant new claims management complaint17 dealt with by the Ombudsman; and(2) is not otherwise eligible; but(3) would have been entitled to refer an equivalent complaint to the former scheme in question immediately
Factors that may be relevant in the assessment of a complaint under DISP 1.4.1R (2) include the following:59(1) all the evidence available and the particular circumstances of the complaint;(2) similarities with other complaints received by the respondent;(3) relevant guidance8 published by the
FCA
, other relevant regulators, the Financial Ombudsman Service or former schemes; and(4) appropriate analysis of decisions by the Financial Ombudsman Service concerning similar complaints
17Where the Ombudsman is determining what is fair and reasonable in all the circumstances of a relevant new complaint or a relevant transitional complaint or a relevant new claims management complaint4, the Ombudsman Transitional Order, the Mortgage and General Insurance Complaints Transitional Order and the Claims Management Order make provision for him4 to take into account what determination the former Ombudsman might have been expected to reach in relation to an equivalent
8As a result of section 404B of the Act, if the subject matter of a complaint falls to be dealt with (or has properly been dealt with) under a consumer redress scheme, the Ombudsman will determine the complaint by reference to what, in the opinion of the Ombudsman, the redress determination under the consumer redress scheme should be or should have been, unless the complainant and the respondent agree that the complaint should not be dealt with in accordance with the consumer
The Ombudsman can consider a complaint under the Voluntary Jurisdiction if:426(1) it is not covered by the Compulsory Jurisdiction;830 and426(2) it relates to an act or omission by a VJ participant in carrying on one or more of the following activities:(a) an activity (other than administering a benchmark)34 carried on after 28 April 1988 which:(i) was not a regulated activity at the time of the act or omission, but(ii) was a regulated activity when the VJ participant joined
DISP 2.5.1R (2)(a)is for those that are subject to the Compulsory Jurisdiction for regulated activities but are not covered by the Ombudsman Transitional Order, the Mortgage and General Insurance Complaints Transitional Order, or the Claims Management Order15. It enables the Financial OmbudsmanScheme to cover complaints about earlier events relating to those activities before they became regulated activities.4262426
DISP 2.5.1R (2)(b) is for those that were members of one of the former schemes replaced by the Financial Ombudsman Service immediately before commencement. It enables the
Financial Ombudsman Service5
to cover complaints that arise out of acts or omissions occurring after commencement for any activities which are not covered by the Compulsory Jurisdiction but that would have been covered by the relevant former scheme.4265
Under the Ombudsman Transitional Order and the Mortgage and General Insurance Complaints Transitional Order and the Claims Management Order6, where the Ombudsman is dealing with a relevant complaint, he must take into account whether an equivalent complaint would have been dismissed without consideration of its merits under the former scheme in question, as it had effect immediately before the relevant6 order came into effect.2929
The Ombudsman may dismiss a complaint413referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service before 9 July 2015 413without considering its merits if 413the Ombudsman413considers that:5(1) the complainant has not suffered (or is unlikely to suffer) financial loss, material distress or material inconvenience; or(2) the complaint is frivolous or vexatious; or(3) the complaint clearly does not have any reasonable prospect of success; or(4) the respondent has already made an offer of compensation
413The Ombudsman may dismiss a complaint referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service on or after 9 July 2015 without considering its merits if the Ombudsman considers that:(1) the complaint is frivolous or vexatious; or(2) the subject matter of the complaint has been dealt with, or is being dealt with, by a comparable ADR entity; or(3) the subject matter of the complaint has been the subject of court proceedings where there has been a decision on the merits; or(4) the subject
The scope of the Financial Ombudsman Service's two 37jurisdictions depends on:262637(1) the type of activity to which the complaint relates (see DISP 2.3, DISP 2.4 and DISP 2.5);(2) the place where the activity to which the complaint relates was carried on (see DISP 2.6);(3) whether the complainant is eligible (see DISP 2.7); and(4) whether the complaint was referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service in time (see DISP 2.8).
48The effect of section 234B of the Act is that where a person (a “successor”) has assumed a liability (including a contingent one) of another person who was, or would have been the respondent in respect of a complaint, the complaint may be dealt with by the Ombudsman as if the successor were the respondent.
To aid consumer awareness of the protections offered by the provisions in this chapter, respondents must:(1) publish appropriate information regarding their internal procedures for the reasonable and prompt handling of complaints;616616(2) refer eligible complainants to the availability of this information:616556165(a) 5in relation to a payment service, in the information on out-of-court complaint and redress procedures required to be provided or made available under regulations
The817 summary details concerning internal complaints handling procedures 817should cover at least:817(1) how the respondent fulfils its obligation to handle and seek to resolve relevant complaints; and(2) (where the complaint falls within the jurisdiction of the Financial Ombudsman Service)7 that, if the complaint is not resolved, the complainant may be entitled to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
23One of the reasons for introducing the guidance in this appendix is to seek a reduction in the number of complaints which are referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service. If a firm writes to the complainant proposing terms for settlement which are in accordance with this appendix, the letter may include a statement that the calculation of loss and redress accords with the FCAguidance, but should not imply that this extends to the assessment of whether or not the complaint should