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26 February 2009 / Rodney Gardner
Issue: 7358 / Categories: Features , Banking , Competition , Commercial
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Toxic Invasion

In the hope of writing off loans, many people are being exploited by case management companies, says Rodney Gardner

The Competition Commission (CC) has recently announced a ban on the sale of payment protection policies, at the point of sale, such requirements to be implemented by next year. Several banks have already agreed voluntarily to impose a ban now and it is thus apposite to consider the law and practice that is presently evolving with regard to such claims.

Claims management companies (CMCs) have been seeking refunds from banks for some time now on behalf of borrowers who have been sold single premium policies when applying for both secured and unsecured loans, many of the people affected being within the lower socio-economic groupings. The CC has found that policies being sold are uncompetitive, and CMCs have in the past had some success in gaining refunds on the grounds of unsuitability and/or ineligibility of the debtor.

The only way a CMC can advance a client’s claim, which is rejected, is to refer

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Bellevue Law—Lianne Craig

Bellevue Law—Lianne Craig

Workplace law firm expands commercial disputes team with senior consultant hire

EIP—Rob Barker

EIP—Rob Barker

IP firm promotes patent attorney to partner

Muckle LLP—Ryan Butler

Muckle LLP—Ryan Butler

Banking and restructuring team bolstered by insolvency specialist

NEWS
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Fresh proposals to criminalise ‘nudification’ apps, prioritise cyberflashing and non-consensual intimate images, and even ban under-16s from social media have reignited debate over whether the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) is fit for purpose. Writing in NLJ this week, Alexander Brown, head of technology, media and telecommunications, and Alexandra Webster, managing associate, Simmons & Simmons, caution against reactive law-making that could undermine the Act’s ‘risk-based and outcomes-focused’ design
Recent allegations surrounding Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have reignited scrutiny of the ancient common law offence of misconduct in public office. Writing in NLJ this week, Simon Parsons, teaching fellow at Bath Spa University, asks whether their conduct could clear a notoriously high legal hurdle
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A Court of Appeal ruling has drawn a firm line under party autonomy in arbitration. Writing in NLJ this week, Masood Ahmed, associate professor at the University of Leicester, analyses Gluck v Endzweig [2026] EWCA Civ 145, where a clause allowing arbitrators to amend an award ‘at any time’ was held incompatible with the Arbitration Act 1996
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