Consumer Credit Act 2006
The Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c.14) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom intended to increase consumer protection when borrowing money.
| Long title | An Act to amend the Consumer Credit Act 1974; to extend the ombudsman scheme under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to cover licensees under the Consumer Credit Act 1974; and for connected purposes. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2006 c.14 |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 30 March 2006 |
| History of passage through Parliament | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
Provisions Edit
The main provisions of the Act are to extend the scope of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, to create an Ombudsman scheme, and to increase the powers of the Office of Fair Trading in relation to consumer credit, including consumer credit agreements (CCA), and similar borrowing facilities. In addition, it permits borrowers to challenge unfair debtor-creditor relationships in court.[2]
Consumer Credit Act 1974 Edit
The 2006 Act brings two further types of agreement under the scope of the 1974 Act:
- Consumer agreements above £25,000, to reflect growing levels of consumer borrowing and debt;
- In section 1, to include small, one-man businesses and partnerships of up to three people.
Ombudsman scheme Edit
The 2006 Act gives consumers the option of using the Financial Ombudsman Service if they are unhappy with their lender's dispute resolution service, whether the lender consents or not. Complaints may also be raised against other types of credit related companies, such as debt-collection agencies.
Office of Fair Trading Edit
The 2006 Act empowers the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to investigate applicants for consumer credit licences, to impose conditions on licences, and to impose civil penalties of up to £50,000 on companies, or £5,000 on individuals, failing to comply with its conditions. Appeal is to the First-tier Tribunal (formerly the Consumer Credit Appeals Tribunal) and thence, with leave, to the Upper Tribunal.
Section 71 - Short title, commencement and extent Edit
The following orders have been made under section 71(2):
- The Consumer Credit Act 2006 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1508 (C. 52))
- The Consumer Credit Act 2006 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/123 (C. 6))
- The Consumer Credit Act 2006 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provisions and Savings) (Amendment) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/387 (C. 14))
- The Consumer Credit Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3300 (C. 136))
- The Consumer Credit Act 2006 (Commencement No. 4 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/831 (C. 40))
- The Consumer Credit Act 2006 (Commencement No. 4 and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2444 (C. 105))
See also Edit
- Credit risk
- Trade Practices Act 1974 (Australia)
- Halsbury's Statutes
References Edit
- ^ The citation of this Act by this short title is authorised by section 71(1) of this Act.
- ^ . The Payday Review. 28 February 2013. Archived from the original on 30 March 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
External links Edit
- Times Online article about the Act
UK Legislation Edit
- Text of the Consumer Credit Act 2006 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.
- Explanatory notes to the Consumer Credit Act 2006.