Legislation / Legal

OFT:  The Office of Fair Trading is launching a new awareness campaign to inform consumers that from 1 October 2008, if they buy from salespeople who visit them in their own homes, they will have 7 days to cancel the agreement. The Doorstep Selling Regulations cover all salespeople who visit consumers in their homes to sell any goods & services such as conservatories, double glazing, orthopaedic furniture and utility contracts.
 
The law has always provided a one week cooling off period when buying from salespeople whose visit has not been sought out by the homeowner.  However, changes to the regulations mean that provided the transaction is for more than £35, consumers will now have a 7 day period in which to cancel any agreement they enter into, regardless of whether they initiated the visit or not.  The new regulations also mean that doorstep sellers are required to inform customers in writing of their right to cancel.
Press release ~ BERR - Doorstep Selling Regulations ~ Consumer Direct – Doorstep selling
 
MoD: A new harmonised system of military inquiries has been introduced by the Ministry of Defence, replacing the existing system of single service Boards of Inquiry (BOI).  A new tri-Service system of Service Inquiries will take their place.  This will mean each of the three Services convenes Inquiries on the same statutory basis, which has not been the case previously.
 
BOIs which have already been convened will continue under their current arrangements but, from 1 October 2008, inquiries must be convened under the new arrangements irrespective of whether the incident occurred before or after 1 October.
Press release ~ The Armed Forces (Service Inquiries) Regulations 2008 ~ Briefing Note on process
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