Plans To Clarify and Simplify Law Announced In Queen’s Speech

By Rob Dixon

New measures announced in the Queen’s Speech last week which are designed to ensure consumer rights are both clarified and simplified has been welcomed by legal experts at Irwin Mitchell.

The Government hopes that the creation of a Consumer Bill of Rights will mean the general public can be both better informed and protected when buying all kinds of products, services and even digital content.

It is planned that the bill would see rights currently split across a range of legislation consolidated in a single bill, with consumer minister Jo Swinson outlining that the aim was to create a “fairer and stronger marketplace”.

The announcement has been welcomed by bodies including the Trading Standards Institute and Which?

Lindsey Pedley, associate solicitor specialising in consumer matters at Irwin Mitchell’s Sheffield office, said the efforts to improve clarity would be much appreciated by many people.

She outlined: “The area of consumer law can be hugely complex and it is fair to say that many people are often unaware of the rights they have when it comes to problems with a product, service or appliance.

“This is an important step towards ensuring people are able to clearly understand their rights and are given the right protection when it comes to any purchase, as well as gain some redress when businesses fail to meet their responsibilities.

“The marketplace is reliant on consumers being able to have confidence they will always get a quality standard of service, so it is important companies are held to account when they fail in this regard.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in relation to Consumer Disputes