United Kingdom: Consumer Law

The Competition and Markets Authority has issued its first infringement decision under the UK's new consumer enforcement regime, fining the AA £4.2 million for misleading pricing practices and requiring substantial consumer refunds. This landmark case signals a fundamental shift in UK consumer protection enforcement, with businesses now facing significantly tougher penalties including fines up to 10% of turnover and mandatory consumer redress schemes.

Ofcom has launched an investigation into whether the provider of two online image boards has failed to comply with duties to protect people in the UK from illegal content.

From Autumn 2026, subscription businesses will need to operate under significantly stricter rules about how they sign customers up, remind them before renewals and let them cancel.

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened five new consumer‑law investigations as part of its ongoing crackdown on fake and misleading online reviews, reinforcing the regulator's growing focus...

While these findings relate to EU regulation, they carry important lessons for UK retailers – especially as UK regulators intensify scrutiny under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act...

Changes to contactless payment limits came in on 19 March. As a result, the FCA has published an updated payments services approach document to include updated...

The BNPL market has grown significantly in recent years, from £0.06 billion in 2017 to over £13 billion in 2024. According to the FCA's 2024 Financial Lives Survey, 20% of UK consumers (10.9 million adults)...

Although the CMA has been focusing on fake reviews and drip pricing in recent months, it is still very interested in green claims. It recently issued new guidance on getting green claims right across the supply chain.

On 11 February 2026, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published Policy Statement 26/1: "Regulation of Deferred Payment Credit (unregulated Buy Now Pay Later): Feedback to CP25/23" (PS26/1)...