Related provisions for DISP 3.1.5
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(1) Only an Ombudsman may determine a complaint or decide the circumstances in which information may be disclosed under DISP 3.10.1 R (3).(2) The Ombudsman may designate members of the staff of FOS Ltd to exercise any of the other powers of the Ombudsman relating to the reference, investigation or consideration of a complaint.(3) Where any person is so designated, DISP 2 - DISP 4 apply as if any reference to "the Ombudsman" included a reference to that person.
The Ombudsman may, in relation to the evidence which may be required or admitted when he considers and determines a complaint, give directions as to:(1) the issues on which evidence is required;(2) the extent to which the evidence required to decide those issues should be oral or written; and(3) the way in which the evidence should be presented to the Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman may:(1) exclude evidence that would otherwise be admissible in a court of law or include evidence that would not be admissible in such a court;(2) where he considers it necessary or appropriate, accept information in confidence, so that only an edited version or (where this is not practicable) a summary or description is disclosed to the other party;(3) reach a decision on the basis of what has been supplied and take account of the failure by a complainant or a firm
(1) The Ombudsman cannot consider a complaint (except as described in (2)) if the complainant refers it to the Financial Ombudsman Service:(a) less than eight weeks after receipt of the complaint by the firm or VJ participant, unless the firm or VJ participant has already sent the complainant its final response; or(b) more than six months after the date on which the firm or VJ participant sends the complainant its final response advising him that he may refer his complaint to
1If the complaint relates to the sale of an endowment policy for the purpose of achieving capital repayment of a mortgage, the receipt by the complainant of a letter which states that there is a risk (rather than a high risk) that the policy would not, at maturity, produce a sum large enough to repay the target amount is not, itself, sufficient to cause the three year time period in DISP 2.3.1 R (1)(c) to start to run.
In relation to DISP 2.3.1 R (1)(b) and (c), article 4(2) of the Ombudsman Transitional Order requires an Ombudsman to extend the time limit in respect of a relevant new complaint referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service not later than twelve months after commencement, so the time limit applying to the complaint is the same as that which would have applied under the former scheme in question as it had effect immediately before commencement.
Under
DISP 5.6.1 R
a firm or VJ participant is liable to pay a case fee in respect of chargeable cases. However, in some circumstances, the Ombudsman may conclude that a firm or VJ participant should have more time to resolve a complaint before a case fee is incurred (for example, where there has been delay in obtaining information from third parties or where the Ombudsman considers that the complainant has not fully cooperated with the firm or VJ participant in the investigation
(1) For the purposes of the standard terms, a company, partnership, individual practitioner or other business, whether authorised or unauthorised, agreeing to participate in the Voluntary Jurisdiction of the Financial Ombudsman Service is known as a VJ participant.(2) In consequence of the agreement by the VJ participant to participate in the Voluntary Jurisdiction, the standard terms fix the basis on which complaints relating to relevant acts or omissions of the VJ participant
DISP 1.5.1 R contains a requirement for a firm in the Compulsory Jurisdiction to make and retain records of complaints subject to DISP 1.4 - DISP 1.6 for a minimum period of three years from the date of its receipt of a complaint. Although this requirement is not applied to VJ participants, they may need to keep records of complaints for sufficient time to enable them to provide the Ombudsman with necessary information in the event of a complaint being referred to the Financial
(1) None of the following is to be liable in damages for anything done or omitted in the discharge, or purported discharge, of any functions in connection with the Voluntary Jurisdiction:(a) FOS Ltd;(b) any member of its governing body;(c) any member of its staff;(d) any person acting as an Ombudsman for the purposes of the Financial Ombudsman Service.(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply:(a) where the act or omission is shown to have been in bad faith; or(b) so as to prevent an award
If the Ombudsman determines a complaint under the Voluntary Jurisdiction in favour of the complainant, the determination may include:(1) a "money award", that is, an award against the VJ participant of such amount as the Ombudsman considers fair compensation for financial loss or for loss or damage of a kind specified in DISP 3.9.2 G that has been suffered, or may be suffered, by the complainant;(2) a direction that the VJ participant take such steps in relation to the complainant
On receipt of a complaint (and subsequently if necessary) the Ombudsman must have regard to the following matters:(1) whether or not the complaint meets the criteria in DISP 2.2 (Which complaints can be dealt with under the Financial Ombudsman Service?);(2) whether or not the complaint is within the time limits in DISP 2.3 (Time limits for referral of complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service);(3) whether or not the complainant is an eligible complainant; and(4) whether or
In the case of relevant new complaints, the Ombudsman will take account of the relevant criteria under the Ombudsman Transitional Order, referred to in DISP 2.2.2 G, and will extend the time limits in DISP 2.3, as required under article 4(2) of the Ombudsman Transitional Order and described in DISP 2.3.2 G.
Where the Ombudsman considers that the complaint or the complainant may be ineligible under the jurisdiction rules (see DISP 2 (Jurisdiction of the Financial Ombudsman Service)) he must give the complainant an opportunity to make representations before he reaches his decision and he must give reasons to the complainant for that decision and inform the firm of his decision.
The Ombudsman may dismiss a complaint without considering its merits if he:(1) is satisfied that the complainant has not suffered, or is unlikely to suffer, financial loss, material distress or material inconvenience; or(2) considers the complaint to be frivolous or vexatious; or(3) considers that the complaint clearly does not have any reasonable prospect of success; or(4) is satisfied that the firm has already made an offer of compensation which is fair and reasonable in relation
Under article 5(2)(c) of the Ombudsman Transitional Order, the Ombudsman, in deciding whether a relevant complaint is to be dismissed without consideration of its merits, is to take into account whether an equivalent complaint would have been so dismissed under the former scheme in question, as it had effect immediately before commencement.
In DISP 3.3.1 R (5) the transaction could, for example, be a pension transaction which has been reviewed by the firm in accordance with the relevant regulatory standards. The Ombudsman may decide not to proceed with a complaint about the result of that review unless he considers that the standards or guidance published by the regulator did not address the particular circumstances of the case.
This chapter applies to every firm in respect of activities carried on from an establishment maintained by the firm (or its appointed representative) in the United Kingdom, except:(1) (a) a firm that is exempt under DISP 1.1.7 R; (b) a UCITS qualifier;(c) an authorised professional firm in so far as its non-mainstream regulated activities are concerned; and(d) 1a credit union; or(2) in relation to the Society of Lloyd's, members of the Society and managing agents, DISP 1 applies
The purpose of this chapter is to set out the rules relating to the internal handling of complaints by firms, including the procedures which a firm must put in place; the time limits within which a firm must deal with a complaint; the records of a complaint which a firm must make and retain; and the requirements on a firm to report information about complaints to the FSA. This is to ensure that complaints are handled fairly, effectively and promptly, and resolved at the earliest
Members of the Society of Lloyd's are treated as firms for the purposes of the Compulsory Jurisdiction (including the rules in DISP 1 relating to firms' complaints procedures) and are subject to DISP 1 as a result of the insurance market direction given in LLD 6.2.1 D, under section 316 of the Act (Direction by Authority). However, as set out in DISP 1.7, members will individually comply with DISP 1 if and only if all complaints by policyholders against members are dealt with
It is also relevant to those who might wish to refer a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service.(2) relevant new complaints about events before commencement but referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service after commencement under the Ombudsman Transitional Order; and(3) relevant transitional complaints referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service after the relevant commencement date under the Mortgages and General Insurance Complaints Transitional Order.
(1) The Ombudsman will determine a complaint by reference to what is, in his opinion, fair and reasonable in all the circumstances of the case.(2) In considering what is fair and reasonable in all the circumstances of the case, the Ombudsman will take into account the relevant law, regulations, regulators' rules and guidance and standards, relevant codes of practice and, where appropriate, what he considers to have been good industry practice at the relevant time.
The Ombudsman's determination will include the following stages:(1) When a complaint has been determined, the Ombudsman will give both the complainant and the firm a signed written statement of the determination, stating the reasons for it.(2) The statement will invite the complainant to notify the Ombudsman in writing before the date specified in the statement whether he accepts or rejects the determination.(3) If the complainant notifies the Ombudsman that he accepts the determination
The effect of GEN 2.1.8 R is that this chapter applies with respect to those provisions in DISP 2 (Jurisdiction of the Financial Ombudsman Service), DISP 3 (Complaint handling procedures of the Financial Ombudsman Service), DISP 4 (Standard terms) and DISP 5 (Financial Ombudsman Service Funding Rules) made by FOS Ltd.
The Voluntary Jurisdiction:(1) covers VJ participants operating from an establishment in the United Kingdom;(2) also covers complaints that concern business conducted by VJ participants operating elsewhere in the EEA, but only in relation to the activities specified in DISP 2.6.9 R (1) to DISP 2.6.9 R (6) subject to the conditions in DISP 2.7.2 R (1) to DISP 2.7.2 R (3).
When deciding what constitutes an appropriate complaint handling procedure (see DISP 1.2.1 R), a firm should have regard to:(1) the type of business it undertakes;(2) its size and organisational structure;(3) the nature and complexity of the complaints it is likely to receive; and(4) the likely number of complaints it will receive and have to investigate.
A firm must, within four weeks of receiving a complaint, (unless DISP 1.4.3A R1 or DISP 1.4.9 R applies) send the complainant either:(1) a final response; or(2) a holding response, which explains why it is not yet in a position to resolve the complaint and indicates when the firm will make further contact (which must be within eight weeks of receipt of the complaint).
1
Multiple principal agreement
Matter |
Explanation |
|
1. |
Scope of appointment |
The scope of appointment given by each principal to the appointed representative. |
2. |
Complaints handling |
The identity of the principal which will be the point of contact for a complaint from a client (referred to as the "lead-principal" in SUP 12.4.5D G to SUP 12.4.5E G). |
An agreement that each principal will co-operate with each other principal in resolving a complaint from a client in relation to the appointed representative's conduct. |
||
The arrangements for complaints handling, including arrangements for resolving disputes between the principals in relation to their liability to a client in respect of a complaint and arrangements for dealing with referrals to the Financial Ombudsman Service. |
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3. |
The arrangements for approving financial promotion. |
|
4. |
Control and monitoring |
The arrangements for the control and monitoring of the activities of the appointed representative (see in particular SUP 12.6.6 R (Regulated activities and investment services outside the scope of appointment) and SUP 12.6.7 G (Senior management responsibility for appointed representatives)). |
5. |
Approved person status |
The arrangements for making applications for approved person status (see SUP 10 (Approved persons)). |
6. |
Training and competence |
The arrangements for training and competence (see TC). |
7. |
Co-operation |
The arrangements for co-operation over any other issues which may arise from the multiple appointments, including issues which may damage the interests of clients dealing with the appointed representative and administrative issues. |
An agreement by each principal to take reasonable steps to ensure that it does not cause the appointed representative or any of its other principals to be in breach of their obligations to each other or under the regulatory system. |
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8. |
Sharing information |
The arrangements for sharing information on matters relevant to the matters covered under the multiple principal agreement and each principal's obligations under SUP 12.6 (Continuing obligations of firms with appointed representatives). |
An agreement that each principal will notify each other principal of any information which is materially relevant to the multiple principal agreement. |
1One effect of the multiple principal agreement is to introduce a 'lead-principal' concept in relation to complaints handling for the benefit of the client. For example, where the client has been given advice by an appointed representative who has two principals, and the advice could have led to a transaction being arranged with either principal, the client will know that he may pursue his complaint with (but not necessarily against) one of the principals. Whether he later decides
1When considering the provisions for complaints handling (see SUP 12.4.5C(2)) firms should consider the use of a mediation clause. If a complaint is made by a client, principals which are unable to resolve a dispute about liability to the client should consider all quick and effective ways of resolving the dispute, including referring the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service and mediation.