Consumer law and consumer finance
Hamlins has experience in a broad expanse of litigation involving alleged mis-selling, unfair practices, and credit disputes, both in court and through alternative dispute resolution. This has included assisting and advising businesses in relation to allegations of mortgage mis-selling, credit mis-selling and, in particular, timeshare mis-selling.
The team has extensive experience defending business and financial institutions in court proceedings (brought under section 75 and/or 140A of the Consumer Credit Act 1974), including in relation to high-value group actions and in investigations by consumer regulators. Our expertise also includes advising clients on their regulatory and enforcement concerns, advertising and marketing compliance (CAP and BCAP Code compliance), reviewing and drafting standard terms and conditions and assisting with practices procedures and policy documents.
Regulatory expertise
We assist with and advise on all aspects of complaints and proceedings before the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS); regulatory oversight and enforcement by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA); the approach by the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) to the use of its consumer powers; and Trading Standards investigations and enforcement.
With increasing regulatory scrutiny and evolving consumer protection laws, we believe it essential for our clients to have a trusted legal partner who can navigate these complexities and safeguard their best interests.
Hotel, holiday and leisure expertise
We have a particularly strong client base in the Hotel, Holiday and Leisure industry, operating as long term advisors to some of the largest and most well-known global brands. Hamlins is recognised as the leading firm for advising and assisting multiple timeshare and holiday businesses with all aspects of their business, particularly in relation to consumer disputes and compliance with consumer law.
Hamlins represented two timeshare providers in one of the most important Judicial Reviews in the consumer finance sector of recent years, which led to some key legal findings: Shawbrook and Barclays Partner Finance v Financial Ombudsman Service.