Consumer Focus????? Ever heard of them....

[paulb2905]

Came across this randomly has anyone ever heard of them???

Consumer Focus

In a report commissioned by them earlier this year it became apparent

In 2008, there were 2,064,124 civil (non family) proceedings cases initiated across all county court case tracks. More than two thirds of these cases (69 per cent) were ‘money’19 claim cases ie claims with specified claim amounts. More importantly, over 84 per cent of these specified ‘money’ claims fell within the scope of small claims, with a value under £5,000.
It is important to draw attention to the number of cases initiated through the County Court Bulk Centre (CCBC). The CCBC is a central processing unit attached to the Nottingham County Court. Many of the cases dealt with by the CCBC are issued by the Claim Production Centre. This is a service that is available to claimants who issue a large amount of claims on a regular basis eg banks, credit card or store card issuers, utilities and solicitors specialising in debt recovery.
In 2008, over half of all money claims, 56 per cent were issued through the CCBC. This indicates that the small claims procedure, which was designed for individuals to seek redress, is more often used by businesses to pursue debts from individuals. While businesses are entitled to pursue those who won’t pay, if necessary through legal processes, it is concerning that they appear to be dominating the small claims procedure. This situation is likely to be fuelling unnecessary delay in the small claims process for individual litigants.

So of approx 1.4million cases involving money 56% were issued through Northampton Bulk Centre ie. Companies/Solicitors recovering debts!!!

[middenmess]

Re: Consumer Focus????? Ever heard of them....

About Us

Background to Consumer Focus

Consumer Focus is a statutory organisation, created through the merger of three organisations – energywatch, Postwatch and the National Consumer Council (including the Scottish and Welsh Consumer Councils) – by the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress (CEAR) Act 2007, which:

• established a new body to provide a stronger, more coherent consumer advocacy body – Consumer Focus – able to address consumer issues across different sectors, undertake cross-sectoral research, and provide a voice for consumers in dialogue with companies, regulators, Government and Europe
• extended redress schemes to all licensed energy suppliers and postal services providers to resolve complaints where suppliers and service providers have not been able to do so, and provide compensation for consumers where it is appropriate
• enabled Consumer Direct to become the single point of contact for all consumers to obtain information and impartial advice as well as signpost consumers and provide them with help when making a complaint. Consumer Direct is a government-funded telephone and online consumer advice service offering clear, practical and impartial consumer advice (08454 04 05 06). Go to Consumer Direct website

The full text of the legislation is available at http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2007..._20070017_en_1


Soon to be scrapped though.