Related provisions for BIPRU 12.5.20

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ICOBS 3.1.1RRP
1This section applies to a firm that carries on any distance marketing activity from an establishment in the United Kingdom, with or for a consumer in the United Kingdom or another EEA State.
ICOBS 3.1.3RRP
A firm must provide a consumer with the distance marketing information (ICOBS 3 Annex 2 R) in good time before conclusion of a distance contract.[Note: article 3(1) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
ICOBS 3.1.6RRP
When a firm makes a voice telephony communication to a consumer, it must make its identity and the purpose of its call explicitly clear at the beginning of the conversation.[Note: article 3(3)(a) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
ICOBS 3.1.7RRP
A firm must ensure that the information on contractual obligations to be communicated to a consumer during the pre-contractual phase is in conformity with the contractual obligations which would result from the law presumed to be applicable to the distance contract if that contract is concluded.[Note: article 3(4) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
ICOBS 3.1.8RRP
A firm must communicate to the consumer all the contractual terms and conditions and the information referred to in the distance marketing disclosure rules in writing or another durable medium available and accessible to the consumer in good time before conclusion of any distance contract.[Note: article 5(1) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
ICOBS 3.1.9GRP
A firm will provide or communicate information or contractual terms and conditions to a consumer if another person provides or communicates it to the consumer on its behalf.
ICOBS 3.1.10RRP
The performance of the distance contract may only begin after the consumer has given his approval.[Note: article 7(1) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
ICOBS 3.1.14RRP
(1) In the case of a voice telephony communication, and subject to the explicit consent of the consumer, only the abbreviated distance marketing information (ICOBS 3 Annex 3 R) needs to be provided during that communication.(2) However, unless another exemption applies (such as the exemption for means of distance communication not enabling disclosure) a firm must still provide the distance marketing information (ICOBS 3 Annex 2 R) in writing or another durable medium available
ICOBS 3.1.15RRP
A firm may provide the distance marketing information (ICOBS 3 Annex 2 R) and the contractual terms and conditions in writing or another durable medium immediately after the conclusion of a distance contract, if the contract has been concluded at a consumer's request using a means of distance communication that does not enable the provision of that information in that form in good time before conclusion of any distance contract.[Note: article 5(2) of the Distance Marketing Di
ICOBS 3.1.16RRP
At any time during the contractual relationship the consumer is entitled, at his request, to receive the contractual terms and conditions on paper. The consumer is also entitled to change the means of distance communication used unless this is incompatible with the contract concluded or the nature of the service provided.[Note: article 5(3) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
ICOBS 3.1.17RRP
(1) A firm must not enforce, or seek to enforce, any obligations under a distance contract against a consumer, in the event of an unsolicited supply of services, the absence of reply not constituting consent.(2) This rule does not apply to the tacit renewal of a distance contract.[Note: article 9 of the Distance Marketing Directive]
ICOBS 3.1.18RRP
If a consumer purports to waive any of the consumer's rights created or implied by the rules in this section, a firm must not accept that waiver, nor seek to rely on or enforce it against the consumer.[Note: article 12 of the Distance Marketing Directive]
ICOBS 3.1.19RRP
If a firm proposes to enter into a distance contract with a consumer that will be governed by the law of a country outside the EEA, the firm must ensure that the consumer will not lose the protection created by the rules in this section if the distance contract has a close link with the territory of one or more EEA States.[Note: articles 12 and 16 of the Distance Marketing Directive]
CONC 2.7.1RRP
(1) Subject to (2) and (3), this section applies to a firm that carries on any distance marketing activity from an establishment in the UK, with or for a consumer in the UK or another EEA State.(2) This section does not apply to an authorised professional firm with respect to its non-mainstream regulated activities.(3) This section does not apply to an activity in relation to a consumer hire agreement.
CONC 2.7.2RRP
(1) Subject to (2), (3) and (4), a firm must provide a consumer with the distance marketing information (CONC 2 Annex 1R) in good time before the consumer is bound by a distance contract or offer.[Note: regulation 7(1) of SI 2004/2095][Note: articles 3(1) and 4(5) of the Distance Marketing Directive](2) Where a distance contract is also a contract for payment services to which the Payment Services Regulations apply, a firm is required to provide to the consumer only the information
CONC 2.7.4RRP
When a firm makes a voice telephony communication to a consumer, it must make its identity and the purposes of its call explicitly clear at the beginning of the conversation. [Note: regulation 7(4) of SI 2004/2095][Note: article 3(3)(a) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
CONC 2.7.5RRP
A firm must ensure that information on contractual obligations to be communicated to a consumer during the pre-contractual phase accurately reflects the contractual obligations which would result from the law presumed to be applicable to the distance contract if that contract is concluded.[Note: regulation 7(5) of SI 2004/2095][Note: article 3(4) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
CONC 2.7.6RRP
A firm must communicate to the consumer all the contractual terms and conditions and the information referred to in the distance marketing disclosure rules (CONC 2.7.2 R to CONC 2.7.5 R) in a durable medium1. That information must be made available and accessible to the consumer in good time before the consumer is bound by any distance contract or offer.1[Note: regulation 8(1) of SI 2004/2095][Note: articles 4(5) and 5(1) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
CONC 2.7.7GRP
(1) Activities in relation to a consumer hire agreement are not financial services within the meaning of the Distance Marketing Directive and do not fall within CONC 2.7. Instead such agreements fall within the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000/2334).(2) A firm will provide information, or communicate contractual terms and conditions, to a consumer if another person provides the information, or communicates the terms and conditions, to the consumer
CONC 2.7.8RRP
The performance of the distance contract may only begin after the consumer has given approval.[Note: article 7(1) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
CONC 2.7.11RRP
In the case of voice telephony communication, and subject to the explicit consent of the consumer, only the abbreviated distance marketing information (CONC 2 Annex 2R) needs to be provided during that communication. However, unless another exception applies (such as the exemption for means of distance communication not enabling disclosure), a firm must still provide the distance marketing information (CONC 2 Annex 1R) in a durable medium that is available and accessible to the
CONC 2.7.12RRP
A firm may provide the distance marketing information (CONC 2 Annex 1R) and the contractual terms and conditions in a durable medium immediately after the conclusion of a distance contract, if the contract has been concluded at a consumer's request using a means of distance communication that does not enable the provision of that information in that form in good time before the consumer is bound by any distance contract or offer.[Note: article 5(2) of the Distance Marketing
CONC 2.7.14RRP
At any time during the contractual relationship, the consumer is entitled, at request, to receive the contractual terms and conditions on paper. The consumer is also entitled to change the means of distance communication used unless this is incompatible with the contract concluded or the nature of the service provided.[Note: regulation 8(2) and (4) of SI 2004/2095][Note: article 5(3) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
CONC 2.7.15RRP
(1) A firm must not enforce, or seek to enforce, any obligations under a distance contract against a consumer in the event of an unsolicited supply of services. The absence of a reply does not constitute consent.(2) This rule does not apply to the tacit renewal of a distance contract.[Note: regulation 15 of SI 2004/2095][Note: article 9 of the Distance Marketing Directive]
CONC 2.7.16RRP
If a consumer purports to waive any of the consumer's rights created or implied by the rules in this section, a firm must not accept that waiver, nor seek to rely on or enforce it against the consumer.[Note: article 12 of the Distance Marketing Directive]
CONC 2.7.17RRP
If a firm proposes to enter into a distance contract with a consumer that will be governed by the law of a country outside the EEA, the firm must ensure that the consumer will not lose the protection created by the rules in this section if the distance contract has a close link with the territory of one or more EEA States.[Note: regulation 16(3) of SI 2004/2095][Note: articles 12 and 16 of the Distance Marketing Directive]
COBS 5.1.-1RRP
3(1) This section applies to a firm that carries on any distance marketing activity from an establishment in the United Kingdom, with or for a consumer in the United Kingdom or another EEA State.3(2) If a firm is an intermediary rather than the supplier under the distance contract, references to 'firm' in COBS 5 Annex 1 R and COBS 5 Annex 2 R are to be interpreted as referring to the supplier except for references to 'firm' in COBS 5 Annex 1 R (2), (4) and (18).3
COBS 5.1.1RRP
1A firm must provide a consumer with the distance marketing information (COBS 5 Annex 1R ) in good time before the consumer is bound by a distance contract or offer. [Note: article 3(1) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
COBS 5.1.3RRP
When a firm makes a voice telephony communication to a consumer, it must make its identity and the purpose of its call explicitly clear at the beginning of the conversation. [Note: article 3(3)(a) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
COBS 5.1.5RRP
A firm must communicate to the consumer all the contractual terms and conditions and the information referred to in the distance marketing disclosure rules (COBS 5.1.1 R to COBS 5.1.4 R) on a durable medium available and accessible to the consumer in good time before the consumer is bound by any distance contract or offer. [Note: article 5(1) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
COBS 5.1.6GRP
A firm will provide information, or communicate contractual terms and conditions, to a consumer if another person provides the information, or communicates the terms and conditions, to the consumer on its behalf.
COBS 5.1.14RRP
If, at any time during the contractual relationship, a consumer that is a party to a distance contract asks a firm:(1) for a paper copy of the terms and conditions of that contract; or(2) to change the means of distance communication used;the firm must provide that paper copy or change the means of distance communication used, unless (in the latter case) that would be incompatible with the contract or the nature of the service provided. [Note: article 5(3) of the Distance Marketing
COBS 5.1.15RRP
(1) A firm must not enforce, or seek to enforce, any obligations under a distance contract against a consumer, in the event of an unsolicited supply of services, the absence of reply not constituting consent.(2) This rule does not apply to the tacit renewal of a distance contract. [Note: article 9 of the Distance Marketing Directive]
COBS 5.1.16RRP
If a consumer purports to waive any of the consumer's rights created or implied by the rules in this section, a firm must not accept that waiver, nor seek to rely on or enforce it against the consumer. [Note: article 12 of the Distance Marketing Directive]
COBS 5.1.17RRP
If a firm proposes to enter into a distance contract with a consumer that will be governed by the law of a country outside the EEA, the firm must ensure that the consumer will not lose the protection created by the rules in this section if the distance contract has a close link with the territory of one or more EEA States. [Note: articles 12 and 16 of the Distance Marketing Directive]
MCOB 4.6.1GRP
A consumer2 has no right to cancel a home finance transaction1 concluded with a firm but may have a right to cancel a distance contract concluded with a mortgage intermediary,3 a home purchase intermediary or a SRB intermediary31for the provision of his services. Whether a mortgage intermediary,3 a home purchase intermediary or a SRB intermediary31 concludes a distance mortgage mediation contract,3 a distance home purchase mediation contract or a distance regulated sale and rent
MCOB 4.6.2GRP
The information provided in accordance with MCOB 4 Annex 3(5) should be sufficiently clear, prominent and informative to enable the consumer2 to understand the right to cancel.2
MCOB 4.6.3GRP
Where the notice of the right to cancel forms part of another document, or is one of a number of documents sent to the consumer2 at the same time, a firm should ensure that the presence of the notice of the right to cancel is drawn to the consumer's2 attention.22
MCOB 4.6.4RRP
(1) A consumer2 has a right to cancel a distance mortgage mediation contract,3 a distance home purchase mediation contract or a distance regulated sale and rent back mediation contract31 in accordance with this section.23(2) The right to cancel must be exercised within 14 days beginning on the later of:(a) the day of the conclusion of the contract; or(b) the day on which the consumer2 receives the contractual terms and conditions and other information required by MCOB 4.4 and
MCOB 4.6.5RRP
A consumer2 who has a right to cancel a distance mortgage mediation contract, a distance home purchase mediation contract or a distance regulated sale and rent back mediation contract31 may, without giving any reason, cancel the contract by serving notice on the firm, before the expiry of the cancellation period in MCOB 4.6.4 R either:23(1) by serving on, or otherwise sending by post, notice to the firm's last known address, addressed to the firm, its appointed representative
MCOB 4.6.6RRP
Where the notice of cancellation is in a durable medium and is served in accordance with MCOB 4.6.5 R, it must be treated as being served on the firm on the date it is despatched by the consumer2.2
MCOB 4.6.7GRP
In the event of any dispute, unless there is clear written evidence to the contrary, the firm should treat the date cited by the consumer2 as being the date when notice was given, posted or otherwise sent.2
MCOB 4.6.8RRP
By exercising a right to cancel under MCOB 4.6.4 R the consumer2 withdraws from the contract and the entire contract is terminated.2
MCOB 4.6.10RRP
When a consumer2 exercises a right to cancel under MCOB 4.6.4 R:2(1) the firm must:(a) pay to the consumer2 without delay, and no later than 30 days after the date on which the firm received notice of cancellation from him, any sums which he has paid to or for the benefit of the firm in connection with the contract (including sums paid by the consumer2 to agents of the firm) except for the amount referred to in (b);22(b) subject to (c), the firm is permitted to require the consumer2
ICOBS 7.2.1RRP
By exercising the right to cancel, the consumer withdraws from the contract and the contract is terminated.
ICOBS 7.2.2RRP
(1) When a consumer exercises the right to cancel he may only be required to pay, without any undue delay, for the service actually provided by the firm in accordance with the contract.(2) The amount payable must not:(a) exceed an amount which is in proportion to the extent of the service already provided in comparison with the full coverage of the contract; and(b) in any case be such that it could be construed as a penalty.(3) A firm must not require a consumer to pay any amount:(a)
ICOBS 7.2.6RRP
(1) A firm must, without any undue delay and no later than within 30 days, return to a consumer any sums it has received from him in accordance with the contract, except as specified in this section.(2) This period shall begin from the day on which the firm receives the notification of cancellation.[Note: article 7(4) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
ICOBS 7.2.7RRP
(1) A firm is entitled to receive from a consumer any sums and/or property he has received from the firm without any undue delay and no later than within 30 days.(2) This period shall begin from the day on which the consumer dispatches the notification of cancellation.[Note: article 7(5) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
ICOBS 7.2.8GRP
If an insurer has made a charge for services provided, the sums and property to be returned by a consumer should not include any money or property provided in settling a claim.
ICOBS 7.2.10GRP
A consumer's notice to cancel a distance contract may also operate to cancel any attached contract which is also a distance financial services contract. This is unless the consumer gives notice that cancellation of the contract is not to operate to cancel the attached contract. (See the Distance Marketing Regulations.) Where relevant, this should be disclosed to the consumer along with other information on cancellation.
CASS 5.5.7GRP
Where an insurance transaction involves more than one firm acting in a chain such that for example money is transferred from a "producing" broker who has received client money from a consumer5 to an intermediate broker and thereafter to an insurance undertaking, each broker firm will owe obligations to its immediate client to segregate client money which it receives (in this example the producing broker in relation to the consumer5and the intermediate broker in relation to the
CASS 5.5.14RRP
(1) A firm which handles client money in accordance with the rules for a non-statutory trust in CASS 5.4 may, to the extent it considers appropriate, but subject to (2), satisfy the requirement to segregate client money by segregating or arranging for the segregation of designated investments with a value at least equivalent to such money as would otherwise have been segregated into a client bank account.(2) A firm may not segregate designated investments unless it:(a) takes reasonable
CASS 5.5.30RRP
(1) In relation to consumers5, a firm must, subject to (2), take reasonable steps to ensure that its terms of business or other client agreements4 adequately explain, and where necessary obtain a client's informed consent to, the treatment of interest and, if applicable, investment returns, derived from its holding of client money and any segregated designated investments.54(2) In respect of interest earned on client bank accounts, (1) does not apply if a firm has reasonable ground
CASS 5.5.31GRP
If no interest is payable to a consumer5, that fact should be separately identified in the firm's5 client agreement 4or terms of business.554
CASS 5.5.34RRP
A firm may allow another person, such as another broker to hold or control client money, but only if:(1) the firm transfers the client money for the purpose of a transaction for a client through or with that person; and(2) in the case of a consumer,5 that customer has been notified (whether through a client agreement,4terms of business, or otherwise in writing) that the client money may be transferred to another person.54
CASS 5.5.41RRP
A firm may hold client money with a bank that is not an approved bank if all the following conditions are met:(1) the client money relates to one or more insurance transactions which are subject to the law or market practice of a jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom;(2) because of the applicable law or market practice of that overseas jurisdiction, it is not possible to hold the client money in a client bank account with an approved bank;(3) the firm holds the money with such
CASS 5.5.53RRP
A firm must not hold, for a consumer5, client money in a client bank account outside the United Kingdom, unless the firm has previously disclosed to the consumer5 (whether in its terms of business, client agreement10 or otherwise in writing):5510(1) that his money may be deposited in a client bank account outside the United Kingdom but that the client may notify the firm that he does not wish his money to be held in a particular jurisdiction;(2) that in such circumstances, the
CASS 5.5.58RRP
A firm must not undertake any transaction for a consumer5 that involves client money being passed to another broker or settlement agent located in a jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom, unless the firm has previously disclosed to the consumer5 (whether in its terms of business, client agreement 4or otherwise in writing):554(1) that his client money may be passed to a person outside the United Kingdom but the client may notify the firm that he does not wish his money to be
ICOBS 8.1.2RRP
A rejection of a consumerpolicyholder's claim is unreasonable, except where there is evidence of fraud, if it is :22(1) in relation to contracts entered into or variations agreed on or before 5 April 2013, for:2(a) non-disclosure of a fact material to the risk which the policyholder could not reasonably be expected to have disclosed; or2(b) non-negligent misrepresentation of a fact material to the risk; or2(2) in relation to contracts entered into or variations agreed on or after
ICOBS 8.1.3RRP
2For the purposes of ICOBS 8.1.2R (2) a “qualifying misrepresentation” is one made by a consumer before a consumer insurance contract was entered into or varied if:(1) the consumer made the misrepresentation in breach of the duty set out in section 2(2) of the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 to take reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation to the insurer; and(2) the insurer shows that without the misrepresentation, that insurer would not have
ICOBS 7.1.1RRP
1A consumer has a right to cancel, without penalty and without giving any reason, within:(1) 30 days for a contract of insurance which is, or has elements of, a pure protection contract or payment protection contract; or(2) 14 days for any other contract of insurance or distance contract.[Note: article 6(1) of the Distance Marketing Directive in relation to a distance contract and article 186 of the Solvency II Directive2 in relation to a pure protection contract] 2
ICOBS 7.1.2GRP
A firm may provide longer or additional cancellation rights voluntarily, but if it does these should be on terms at least as favourable to the consumer as those in this chapter, unless the differences are clearly explained.
ICOBS 7.1.3RRP
The right to cancel does not apply to:(1) a travel and baggage policy or similar short-term policy of less than one month's duration; (2) a policy the performance of which has been fully completed by both parties at the consumer's express request before the consumer exercises his right to cancel;(3) a pure protection contract of six months’ duration or less which is not a distance contract;(4) a pure protection contract effected by the trustees of an occupational pension scheme,
ICOBS 7.1.5RRP
The cancellation period begins either:(1) from the day of the conclusion of the contract, except in respect of a pure protection contract where the time limit begins when the customer is informed that the contract has been concluded; or(2) from the day on which the consumer receives the contractual terms and conditions and any other pre-contractual information required under this sourcebook, if that is later than the date referred to above.[Note: article 186(1) of the Solvency
ICOBS 7.1.6RRP
If a consumer exercises the right to cancel he must, before the expiry of the relevant deadline, notify this following the practical instructions given to him. The deadline shall be deemed to have been observed if the notification, if on paper or another durable medium, is dispatched before the deadline expires.[Note: article 6(1) and (6) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
COBS 15.4.1RRP
By exercising a right to cancel, the consumer withdraws from the contract and the contract is terminated.
COBS 15.4.2RRP
(1) This rule applies in relation to a distance contract that is not a life policy, personal pension scheme, cash deposit ISA or CTF.(2) When the consumer exercises his right to cancel he may be required to pay, without any undue delay, for the service actually provided by the firm in accordance with the contract. The performance of the contract may only begin after the consumer has given his approval. The amount payable must not:(a) exceed an amount which is in proportion to
COBS 15.4.3RRP
(1) The firm may require the consumer to pay for any loss under a contract caused by market movements that the firm would reasonably incur in cancelling it. The period for calculating the loss shall end on the day on which the firm receives the notification of cancellation.(2) This rule:(a) does not apply for a distance contract or for a contract established on a regular or recurring premium or payment basis; and(b) only applies if the firm has complied with its obligations to
COBS 15.4.4RRP
The firm must, without any undue delay and no later than within 30 calendar days, return to the consumer any sums it has received from him in accordance with the contract2, except for any amount that the consumer may be required to pay under this section. This period shall begin from the day on which the firm receives the notification of cancellation.2 [Note: article 7(4) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
COBS 15.4.5RRP
The firm is entitled to receive from the consumer any sums and/or property he has received from the firm without any undue delay and no later than within 30 calendar days. This period shall begin from the day on which the consumer dispatches the notification of cancellation. [Note: article 7(5) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
ICOBS 4.6.1GRP
1The rules in this section:(1) address the risk that a consumer believes that a firm's remuneration for its pure protection service is included in its adviser charge, where this is not the case; and(2) enable the consumer to evaluate a firm'sadviser charge in the light of any additional remuneration received by the firm for the pure protection service it provides.
ICOBS 4.6.2RRP
A firm which agrees an adviser charge with a consumer and provides an associated pure protection service to that consumer must:(1) in good time before the provision of its services, take reasonable steps to ensure that the consumer understands:(a) how the firm is remunerated for its pure protection service; and(b) if applicable, that the firm will receive commission in relation to its pure protection service in addition to the firm'sadviser charge;(2) as close as practicable
ICOBS 4.6.3GRP
A pure protection service is unlikely to be associated with an adviser charge for the purposes of ICOBS 4.6.2 R if the firm agreed the adviser charge with the consumer 12 months or more before the provision of the pure protection service.
ICOBS 4.6.4GRP
A pure protection service is not associated with an adviser charge for the purposes of ICOBS 4.6.2 R if the adviser charge is agreed with the consumer by a firm or an appointed representative and the pure protection service is provided to that consumer by another firm or appointed representative. However, if a firm or an appointed representative refers a consumer with whom it is agreeing an adviser charge to another firm or appointed representative for the provision of a pure
ICOBS 2.1.1GRP
1Different provisions in this sourcebook may apply depending on the type of person with whom a firm is dealing:(1) A policyholder includes anyone who, upon the occurrence of the contingency insured against, is entitled to make a claim directly to the insurance undertaking.(2) Only a policyholder or a prospective policyholder who makes the arrangements preparatory to him concluding a contract of insurance (directly or through an agent) is a customer. In this sourcebook, customers
ICOBS 2.1.2RRP
If it is not clear in a particular case whether a customer is a consumer or a commercial customer, a firm must treat the customer as a consumer.
ICOBS 2.1.3GRP
2(1) Except where paragraph (2) applies, if a customer is acting in the capacity of both a consumer and a commercial customer in relation to a particular contract of insurance, the customer is a commercial customer.2(2) For the purposes of ICOBS 5.1.4 G and ICOBS 8.1.2 R, if, in relation to a particular contract of insurance, the customer entered into it mainly for purposes unrelated to his trade or profession, the customer is a consumer.2
ICOBS 2.1.4GRP

In practice, private individuals may act in a number of capacities. The following table sets out a number of examples of how an individual acting in certain capacities should, in the FCA's view, be categorised.

Customer classification examples

Capacity

Classification

Personal representatives, including executors, unless they are acting in a professional capacity, for example, a solicitor acting as executor.

Consumer

Private individuals acting in personal or other family circumstances, for example, as trustee of a family trust.

Consumer

Trustee of a trust such as a housing or NHS trust.

Commercial customer

Member of the governing body of a club or other unincorporated association such as a trade body and a student union.

Commercial customer

Pension trustee.

Commercial customer

Person taking out a policy covering property bought under a buy-to-let mortgage.

Commercial customer

Partner in a partnership when taking out insurance for purposes related to his profession.

Commercial customer

EG 10.6.2RP
1For a consumer contract term, if the FCA decides, after notifying the Competition and Markets Authority (the CMA), to the extent required by Schedule 3 to the CRA, to address issues using its powers under Schedule 3, if the contract term is within the CRA's scope, it will, unless the case is urgent, generally first write to a person using or proposing or recommending the use of that term.
EG 10.6.5RP
1In relation to a notice to consumers within the CRA's scope, the FCA will generally, after notifying the CMA, request such an undertaking from the relevant person, if the notice causes the FCA relevant concerns, without first seeking comments. Although the FCA will, unless the case is an urgent one and time does not permit, then have regard to any representations responsive to that request.
EG 10.6.7RP
1In determining whether to seek an injunction under Schedule 3 to the CRA against a person, after or, in an urgent case, instead of requesting such an undertaking, the FCA will consider the full circumstances of each case. A number of factors may be relevant for this purpose. The following list is not exhaustive; not all of the factors may be relevant in a particular case, and there may be other factors that are relevant such as: (1) whether the FCA is satisfied that the contract
EG 10.6.9RP
1In deciding whether to grant an a final injunction under Schedule 3 to the CRA, the court will decide whether the term or notice in question is unfair, purportedly restrictive or exclusionary or non-transparent within the meaning of the CRA. The court may grant an injunction on such terms as it sees fit. For example, it may require the person to stop including a term in contracts with consumers or issuing, publishing, communicating or announcing a notice to consumers from the
EG 10.6.10RP
1The CRA provides that a term or notice that is unfair or a term that excludes or restricts liability in any of the ways specified in the CRA is not binding on the consumer. This is the case irrespective of whether there has been a decision of a court to that effect. To The CRA also provides that, to the extent that it is practicable, the rest of the contract continues in effect.
EG 19.13.1RP
1The FCA is a competent authority under the CPC Regulation, which aims to encourage and facilitate co-operation between competent authorities across the EU in consumer protection matters. The FCA is a competent authority for the purposes of specified EU consumer protection laws27 in the context of the regulated activities of authorised firms and of breaches by UK firms concerning “specified contracts” as defined in the Financial Services (Distance
EG 19.13.2RP
1All CPC competent authorities have a minimum set of enforcement and investigatory powers available to them to ensure that across the EU there is a robust toolkit to protect consumers. These are powers to: access any relevant document related to the breach;require the supply by any person of relevant information related to the breach;carry out necessary on-site inspections;request in writing that a person cease the breach;obtain from the person responsible for the breach an undertaking
EG 19.13.3RP
1The powers are engaged when a person breaches one of the EU consumer protection laws which are scheduled to the CPC Regulation and the breach is one which harms, or is likely to harm, the collective interests of consumers who live in a member state other than the member state in which the breach was committed; where the person who committed the breach is established; or where evidence or assets relating to the breach are located.
EG 19.13.4RP
1Under the CPC Regulation the FCA can request information from competent authorities in other member states to help it determine whether a relevant breach has taken, or may take, place. The FCA can also request that competent authorities in the relevant member states take action without delay to stop or prohibit the breach. All competent authorities are required to notify their counterparts in relevant member states when they become aware of actual or possible breaches of European
ICOBS 3.2.6RRP
A firm must (except when otherwise agreed by parties who are not consumers):(1) give an ECA recipient the following information, clearly, comprehensibly and unambiguously, and prior to the order being placed by the recipient of the service:(a) the different technical steps to follow to conclude the contract;(b) whether or not the concluded contract will be filed by the firm and whether it will be accessible;(c) the technical means for identifying and correcting input errors prior
ICOBS 3.2.8RRP
The requirements relating to the placing and receipt of orders do not apply to contracts concluded exclusively by exchange of e-mail or by equivalent individual communications.[Note: article 10(4) and 11(3) of the E-Commerce Directive]
EG 6.2.5RP
3The principal purpose of this power is to promote the early transparency of enforcement proceedings. This has several benefits, including: consumers, firms and market users will be able to understand the types of behaviour that the FCA considers unacceptable at an earlier stage, which in turn should encourage more compliant behaviour;by showing at an earlier stage that the FCA is taking action, confidence in the FCA and the regulatory system should be enhanced;there will be more
EG 6.2.6RP
3The FCA will take the following initial steps in considering whether it is appropriate to exercise this power: (1) It will consider whether it is appropriate to publish details of the warning notice in order to enable consumers, firms and market users to understand the nature of the FCA’s concerns. The FCA will consider the circumstances of each case but expects normally to consider it appropriate to publish these details. (2) Where the FCA considers it is appropriate to publish
EG 6.2.8RP
3If, after consulting the persons to whom the notice is given or copied, the FCA still considers it is appropriate to publish information about a warning notice, it will publish this information in a statement (a warning notice statement). This will ordinarily include a brief summary of the facts which gave rise to the warning notice to enable consumers, firms and market users to understand the nature of the FCA’s concerns. Where the FCA considers it appropriate to identify the
EG 6.2.12RP
3The FCA will consider the circumstances of each case, but will ordinarily publicise enforcement action where this has led to the issue of a final notice. The FCA may also publicise enforcement action where this has led to the issue of a decision notice. The FCA will decide on a case-by-case basis whether to publish information about the matter to which a decision notice relates, but expects normally to publish a decision notice if the subject of enforcement action decides to
ICOBS 6.4.4RRP
A firm must provide a consumer with a policy summary in good time before the conclusion of a contract.
ICOBS 6.4.5RRP
(1) A firm must draw a consumer's attention to the importance of reading payment protection contract documentation before the end of the cancellation period to check that the policy is suitable for the consumer.(2) This must be done orally if a firm provides information orally on any main characteristic of a policy.
ICOBS 6.4.12GRP
(1) When explaining the implications of a change, a firm should explain any changes to the benefits and significant or unusual exclusions arising from the change.(2) Firms will need to consider whether mid-term changes are compatible with the original policy, in particular whether it reserves the right to vary premiums, charges or other terms. Firms also need to ensure that any terms which reserve the right to make variations are not themselves unfair under the Unfair Terms Regulations
EG 19.10.1RP
1The FCA, together with several other UK authorities, has powers under Part 8 of the Enterprise Act to enforce breaches of consumer protection law. Where a breach has been committed, the FCA will liaise with other authorities, particularly the Competition and Markets Authority (the CMA), to determine which authority is best placed to take enforcement action. The FCA would generally expect to be the most appropriate authority to deal with breaches by authorised firms in relation
EG 19.10.4RP
1The FCA has powers under Part 8 of the Enterprise Act both as a “designated enforcer” in relation to domestic and Community infringements and as a “CPC enforcer” which gives the FCA and other CPC enforcers additional powers in relation to Community infringements so that they can meet their obligations as “competent authorities” under Regulation (EC) No.2006/2004 on co-operation between national authorities responsible for enforcement of consumer protection laws (the CPC Regulation).
EG 19.10.5RP
1As a designated enforcer, the FCA has the power to apply to the courts for an enforcement order which requires a person who has committed a domestic or Community infringement or, as to the latter, is likely to commit such an infringement: (1) not to engage, including through a company and, as to a domestic infringement, whether or not in the course of business, in the conduct which constituted, or is likely to constitute, the infringement; (2) to publish the order and/or a corrective
EG 19.10.9RP
1The periods for notification and consultation is (both of which can be waived by the CMA) are: (1) 14 days before an application for an enforcement order is made unless, just as to consultation, the person to be consulted is a member of or represented by a body operating an approved consumer code, in which case the period is 28 days; or (2) 7 days in the case of an application for an interim enforcement order, unless the application relates to breach of an undertaking given to
EG 19.10.11RP
1The Enterprise Act also makes provision for enforcers and courts to accept undertakings from persons who have committed breaches or, in respect of Community infringements, are considered likely to do so. The undertaking confirms that the person will not, amongst other things, commence, continue or repeat the conduct which constituted or, as to a Community infringement, would constitute the breach, although, as above, such a pre-emptive prohibition will only apply to conduct in
GEN 7.2.1RRP
A firm which operates a telephone line for the purpose of enabling a consumer to contact the firm in relation to a contract that has been entered into with the firm, must not bind the consumer to pay more than the basic rate for the telephone call.
GEN 7.2.5RRP
The following numbers, if used by firms, would not comply with the call charges rule:(1) premium rate numbers that begin with the prefix 09;(2) other revenue sharing numbers in which a portion of the call charge can be used to either provide a service or make a small payment to the firm, such as telephone numbers that begin with the prefix 084 or 0871, 0872 or 0873; and(3) telephone numbers that begin with the prefix 0870 as the cost of making a telephone call on such numbers
COBS 15.3.1RRP
If a consumer exercises his right to cancel he must, before the expiry of the relevant deadline, notify this following the practical instructions given to him. The deadline shall be deemed to have been observed if the notification, if in a durable medium available and accessible to the recipient, is dispatched before the deadline expires. [Note: article 6 (6) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
COBS 15.3.2RRP
A consumer need not give any reason for exercising his right to cancel. [Note: article 6(1) of the Distance Marketing Directive]
EG 10.1.1RP
2The orders the court may make following an application by the FCA under the powers referred to in this chapter are generally known in England and Wales as injunctions, and in Scotland as interdicts. In the chapter, the word 'injunction' and the word 'order' also mean 'interdict'. The FCA's effective use of these powers will help it work towards its operational objectives, in particular, those of securing an appropriate degree of protection for consumers, protecting and enhancing
EG 10.1.2RP
2Decisions about whether to apply to the civil courts for injunctions under the Act will be made by the RDC Chairman or, in an urgent case and if the Chairman is not available, by an RDC Deputy Chairman. In an exceptionally urgent case the matter will be decided by the director of Enforcement or, in his or her absence, another member of the FCA's executive of at least director of division level.