Related provisions for DISP 3.1.5
21 - 40 of 55 items.
To aid consumer awareness of the protections offered by the provisions in this chapter, respondents must:(1) publish appropriate summary details of their internal process for dealing with complaints promptly and fairly; (2) refer eligible complainants in writingto the availability of these summary details
at, or immediately after, the point of sale; and(3) provide such summary details in writing to eligible complainants:(a) on request; and(b) when acknowledging a complaint
Respondents may also display or reproduce the Financial Ombudsman Service logo (under licence) in:(1) branches and sales offices to which eligible complainants have access; or(2) marketing literature or correspondence directed at eligible complainants;provided it is done in a way which is not misleading.
The scope of the Financial Ombudsman Service's threejurisdictions depends on:2626(1) the type of activity to which the complaint relates (see DISP 2.3, DISP 2.4 and DISP 2.5);(2) the place where the activity to which the complaint relates was carried on (see DISP 2.6);(3) whether the complainant is eligible (see DISP 2.7); and(4) whether the complaint was referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service in time (see DISP 2.8).
24The Ombudsman may designate members of the staff of FOS Ltd to exercise any of the powers of the Ombudsman relating to the consideration of a complaint apart from the powers to:(1) determine a complaint; or(2) authorise the disclosure of information to the
FSA
or any other body exercising regulatory or statutory functions.
If it appears to the FSA, or FOS Ltd (in relation to any FOS case fee only), that in the exceptional circumstances of a particular case, the payment of any fee or FOS levy would be inequitable, the FSA or FOS Ltd, as relevant, may (unless FEES 2.3.2B R applies)1 reduce or remit all or part of the fee or levy in question which would otherwise be payable.
If it appears to the FSA, or FOS Ltd (in relation to any FOS case fee only), that in the exceptional circumstances of a particular case to which FEES 2.3.1R does not apply, the retention by the FSA, or FOS Ltd, as relevant, of a fee or FOS levy which has been paid would be inequitable, the FSA, or FOS Ltd, may (unless FEES 2.3.2B R applies)1 refund all or part of that fee or levy.
Relevant complaints covered by the Compulsory Jurisdiction comprise:418(1) relevant existing complaints referred to a former scheme before commencement and inherited by the Financial Ombudsman Service under the Ombudsman Transitional Order;(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
The Ombudsman Transitional Order requires the Financial Ombudsman Service to complete the handling of relevant existing complaints, in a significant number of respects, in accordance with the requirements of the relevant former scheme rather than in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.418
If a respondent is in doubt about the eligibility of a business, charity or trust, it should treat the complainant as if it were eligible. If the complaint is referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service, the Ombudsman will determine eligibility by reference to appropriate evidence, such as audited accounts or VAT returns.127
127In the Compulsory Jurisdiction, under the Ombudsman Transitional Order and the Mortgages and General Insurance Complaints Transitional Order, where a complainant:(1) wishes to have a relevant new complaint or a relevant transitional complaint dealt with by the Ombudsman; and(2) is not otherwise eligible; but(3) would have been entitled to refer an equivalent complaint to the former scheme in question immediately before the relevant transitional order came into effect;if the
The Ombudsman can consider a complaint under the Voluntary Jurisdiction if:427(1) it is not covered by the Compulsory Jurisdiction or the Consumer Credit Jurisdiction; and427(2) it relates to an act or omission by a VJ participant in carrying on one or more of the following activities:(a) an activity carried on after 28 April 1988 which:(i) was not a regulated activity at the time of the act or omission, but(ii) was a regulated activity when the VJ participant joined the Voluntary
DISP 2.5.1R (2)(a)is for those that are subject to the Compulsory Jurisdiction for regulated activities but are not covered by the Ombudsman Transitional Order or the Mortgage and General Insurance Complaints Transitional Order. It enables the Financial OmbudsmanScheme to cover complaints about earlier events relating to those activities before they became regulated activities.4272427
DISP 2.5.1R (2)(b) is for those that were members of one of the former schemes replaced by the Financial Ombudsman Service immediately before commencement. It enables the
Financial Ombudsman Service5
to cover complaints that arise out of acts or omissions occurring after commencement for any activities which are not covered by the Compulsory Jurisdiction but that would have been covered by the relevant former scheme.4275
23One of the reasons for introducing the guidance in this appendix is to seek a reduction in the number of complaints which are referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service. If a firm writes to the complainant proposing terms for settlement which are in accordance with this appendix, the letter may include a statement that the calculation of loss and redress accords with the FSAguidance, but should not imply that this extends to the assessment of whether or not the complaint should
23The letter should also explain how the proposed value of the benefit has been calculated and should inform the complainant that if he does not accept the proposal to take the benefit into account he may tell the firm, with reasons. The letter should also say that, if he remains dissatisfied with the firm's response, he may refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
(1) A firm must provide the FSA by the end of February each year (or, if the firm has become subject to the Financial Ombudsman Service part way through the financial year, by the date requested by the FSA) with a statement of the total amount of relevant business (measured in accordance with the appropriate tariff base(s)) which it conducted, as at or in the year to 31 December of the previous year as appropriate, in relation to the tariff base for each of the relevant industry
A firm should not provide a statement of relevant business if it deals only with eligible complainants who are not private individuals. Relevant business is defined in the Glossary as business done with private individuals only. So FEES 5.4.1 R does not apply in relation to business done with other types of eligible complainant described in DISP 2.7.3R (2), DISP 2.7.6R (12)(a) and DISP 2.7.6R (12)(a);2 the funding of FOS Ltd in relation to that business is by special case fee
Prior to the conclusion of an initial contract of insurance and, if necessary, on its amendment or renewal, a firm must provide the customer with at least:(1) its name and address;(2) the fact that it is included in the FSA Register and the means for verifying this;(3) whether it has a direct or indirect holding representing more than 10% of the voting rights or capital in a given insurance undertaking (that is not a pure reinsurer);(4) whether a given insurance undertaking (that
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. |
||
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. |
||
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.
A firm which becomes subject to the Financial Ombudsman Service part way through a financial year must pay a rateable proportion of the general levy and the supplementary levy as indicated in Table FEES 4.2.6 R, as if that table applied to the quarter in which a firm becomes subject to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Before a general insurance contract is concluded, a firm must inform a customer who is a natural person of:(1) the law applicable to the contract where the parties do not have a free choice, or the fact that the parties are free to choose the law applicable and, in the latter case, the law the firm proposes to choose; and(2) the arrangements for handling policyholders’ complaints concerning contracts including, where appropriate, the existence of a complaints body (usually the