Related provisions for DISP 3.1.5
21 - 40 of 61 items.
The respondent must, by the end of eight weeks after its receipt of the complaint, send the complainant:(1) a 'final response', being a written response from the respondent which:3939(a) accepts the complaint and, where appropriate, offers redress or remedial action; or(b) offers redress or remedial action without accepting the complaint; or(c) rejects the complaint and gives reasons for doing so;and which:(d) encloses a copy of the Financial Ombudsman Service's standard explanatory
DISP 1.6.2 R does not apply if the complainant has already indicated in writing acceptance of a response by the respondent, provided that the response:28(1) informed the complainant how to pursue his complaint with the respondent if he remains dissatisfied; 28(2) referred to the ultimate availability of the Financial Ombudsman Service if he remains dissatisfied with the respondent's response;28
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 FEES 5 (Financial Ombudsman Service Funding) made by FOS Ltd.4234
If it appears to the appropriate regulator or410 the FSCS (in relation to any FSCS levy only) 2 that in the exceptional circumstances of a particular case, the payment of any fee, FSCS levy2,3FOS levy or CFEB levy3would be inequitable, the appropriate regulator or410 the FSCS2 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. 41034104103410
If it appears to the appropriate regulator or410 the FSCS (in relation to any FSCS levy only)2 that in the exceptional circumstances of a particular case to which FEES 2.3.1R does not apply, the retention by the appropriate regulator, the FSCS,2 or the CFEB3, as relevant, of a fee,3FOS levy or CFEB levy3which has been paid would be inequitable, the appropriate regulator, the FSCS2 or the CFEB3, may (unless FEES 2.3.2B R applies)1 refund all or part of that fee or levy.4103
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
FCA5
or any other body exercising regulatory or statutory functions.5
To aid consumer awareness of the protections offered by the provisions in this chapter, respondents must:(1) publish appropriate information regarding their internal procedures for the reasonable and prompt handling of complaints;617617(2) refer eligible complainants to the availability of this information:617556175(a) 5in relation to a payment service, in the information on out-of-court complaint and redress procedures required to be provided or made available under regulations
These summary details should cover at least:(1) how the respondent fulfils its obligation to handle and seek to resolve relevant complaints; and(2) (where the complaint falls within the jurisdiction of the Financial Ombudsman Service)7 that, if the complaint is not resolved, the complainant may be entitled to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
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 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
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
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
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 FCAguidance, 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.
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 Financial Services 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
In relation to a connected travel insurance contract, a firm need only provide the procedures allowing customers and other interested parties to register complaints about the firm with the firm and the Financial Ombudsman Service or, if the Financial Ombudsman Service does not apply, information about the out-of-court complaint and redress procedures available for the settlement of disputes between the firm and its customers.22
(1) A firm must provide the FCA 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 FCA) 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 consumers4. Relevant business is defined in the Glossary as business done with consumers4 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 only (see FEES 5.5.6
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 10A and SUP 10B23 (Approved persons)). 23 |
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.
416These procedures should, taking into account the nature, scale and complexity of the respondent's business, ensure that lessons learned as a result of determinations by the Ombudsman are effectively applied in future complaint handling, for example by:(1) relaying a determination by the Ombudsman to the individuals in the respondent who handled the complaint and using it in their training and development;(2) analysing any patterns in determinations by the Ombudsman concerning
4Firms are not required to notify the name of the individual to the
FCA
or the Financial Ombudsman Service but would be expected to do so promptly on request. There is no bar on a firm appointing different individuals to have the responsibility at different times where this is to accommodate part-time or flexible working.
(1) 1A firm must, as soon as a customer expresses an interest in becoming a SRB agreement seller, ensure that the 2disclosures and warnings set out in (1A) are 2made to the customer2, both orally and confirmed in writing, and he is given an adequate opportunity to consider them. The firm must not demand or accept any fees, charges or other sums from the customer, or undertake any action that commits the customer in any way to entering into a specific agreement, until:2222(a) 2the
(1) A SRB intermediary2must ensure that, on first making contact with a prospective SRB agreement seller, whether or not he is the firm'scustomer, who is proposing to enter into a regulated sale and rent back agreement with an unauthorised SRB agreement provider, it provides him with the written warning in (2) before he enters into any such agreement.2(2) The warning in (1) is that:(a) the agreement provider is not authorised or regulated by the FCA, and that key protections under