Industry Insights

The Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA) is introducing the most significant updates to UK employment law in decades, reshaping the relationship between employers, employees and trade unions. In this article, Partner Lee Jefcott and Solicitor Alysia Heath, employment lawyers at the leading independent law firm Brabners, highlight key reforms under the ERA before focusing on one of the most significant …

On 15 July, we were delighted to support the FCA, hosting a roundtable at our Liverpool offices. The session formed part of the FCA’s regional engagement programme, with the regulator seeking feedback from firms and their professional advisers on its 2025 – 2030 strategy, its growth agenda and the practical experience of regulated businesses today, including of the authorisations process.

The motor finance sector is entering a period of unprecedented operational pressure. As firms prepare for increased customer enquiries, complaints and requests for information, what begins as a regulatory challenge can quickly become an operational one, placing significant strain on customer service, complaints handling and collections. For lenders, the priority is clear: deliver fair customer outcomes while maintaining trust and …

There have been many developments recently including (a) the continued ‘developments’ (for want of a better word) in motor finance commissions, (b) reforming both the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and the Financial Ombudsman Service (the Ombudsman) and (c) the Court of Appeal’s decision in Angel & Others v Black Horse Ltd & Others [2026]. But more about those another time. …

Every consumer credit firm receives complaints. They are part of operating in a regulated market and dealing with complex financial products. Most firms have clear processes in place to investigate and resolve individual cases. But complaints data can offer far more than a record of issues raised. When reviewed properly, it can reveal valuable insight into how customer expectations are …

The biggest change affecting consumer credit firms is not a piece of legislation or new FCA rule. It is a fundamental shift in how regulation is being applied. The Financial Conduct Authority, Information Commissioner’s Office, Advertising Standards Authority and Financial Ombudsman Service all have different remits, yet they are increasingly examining the same customer journey through different regulatory lenses. Whether …

Few issues have dominated motor finance over the past two years like commission disclosure and redress. Court judgments, FCA consultations, legal challenges and sustained industry debate have created prolonged uncertainty. Lenders, brokers, investors and customers are still waiting to understand what the final framework will look like.

The FCA has launched two significant initiatives that signal its evolving approach to financial services: the Mills Review on artificial intelligence (AI) and an exploratory review into how firms monitor consumer outcomes under the Consumer Duty. Together, they highlight an increasing supervisory focus on how technology, governance and customer outcomes intersect.

The FCA and Financial Ombudsman Service’s latest consultation on modernising the redress system is more than a technical policy exercise. It signals how complaint handling and redress expectations are likely to evolve across financial services – with a clear direction of travel towards earlier intervention, stronger discipline in evidencing, and more predictable end-to-end handling.

Manufacturer recalls are a familiar feature of the motor traders. For consumers and lenders, there is a difficult question is whether the existence of a recall means the vehicle was of unsatisfactory quality in breach of a term implied by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (the CRA) at the time of delivery. The short answer is it will depend on …

Once built around showrooms and paperwork, the motor finance sector has evolved into a digital-first journey shaped by evolving customer expectations, regulatory scrutiny, and rapid technological change. Compliance, technology, and customer experience are no longer separate conversations in today’s landscape, and lenders, brokers, and dealers need to continually adapt their strategies to keep pace to deliver better outcomes.

BNPL regulation has been talked about for years. PS26/1 now sets out the rules and expectations clearly. For firms operating in this market, preparation cannot wait until the new rules take effect in July 2026, explains Jo Davis, CEO of Auxillias.