Protesting & Campaigning...
Below are our articles on the subject of Protesting & Campaigning. If you can't see what you are looking for our other categories are displayed on the left under 'Our Quick Links'...
Accepting An Offer to Resolve Your Complaint
When a service provider attempts to resolve a complaint by making an offer, always think carefully before saying ‘yes’, because once agreed it will be too late to go back....
Advertising Regulatory Bodies and Complaining
If an advert is dishonest or offensive then it will likely be breaching the UK’s advertising codes, and should be brought to the attention of the nation’s regulatory forces....
Becoming a Local Councillor
If you want to make a positive difference to your local community and help to shape its future then why not consider becoming a local councillor?...
Before Making a Complaint
Before making a complaint it is important to think clearly about what has provoked it and what outcome it deserves, otherwise the intended effect of the complaint might be lost....
Britain: Complaining in Private
Brits certainly have a lot to complain about and whinge, moan and grumble they do, but largely it is just to friends and colleagues and not those responsible....
Can Patient Feedback Help Improve Healthcare Standards?
It’s proving effective in maintaining service standards for shopping websites like eBay and helping consumers make informed choices about the hotel they visit, but can online feedback work the same ma...
Can We Trust the Ombudsman With Our Complaints?
The local government ombudsmen are supposed to be there to represent the interests of the public but they have been accused of bias. Can we really trust them with our complaints?...
Clamping Down on Serial Complainers
Certain customers are complaining not to exercise consumer power but exploit it for their own gain, and exasperated companies are starting to clamp down....
Communications Complaints
With telephone services the second most popular subject for complaint, consumers need to be aware of the issues causing aggravation in the marketplace and how best to deal with them....
Communications Regulatory Bodies and Complaining
If a complaint with a UK communications provider proves unsatisfactory then the customer is entitled to take their problem up to the national regulatory body and its various ADR schemes....
Complain Constructively In The Workplace
As a tool to initiate positive change, complaints have an important role to play in the workplace, but only as long as they’re constructive....
Complain To Your Boss
Complaining about a boss is popular but doesn’t solve the problem – if you have an issue with your boss then learn how to complain effectively and face them head on....
Complaining About a Noisy Neighbour
Excessive noise from a neighbour can seriously damage the quality of home life, causing stress, irritation and sleep disturbance, but what can you do to achieve a positive resolution?...
Complaining About a Private Parking Ticket
Parking tickets issued by supermarkets, private companies and train stations are private tickets. These have different rules to public tickets as they are governed by contract law rather than civil o...
Complaining About a Public Parking Ticket
If parked incorrectly or illegally on public land, you may be liable for a public or official parking ticket, which includes a fine....
Complaining About a Speeding Fine or Penalty Points
If you have been sent a Notice of Intended Prosecution and dispute it, you may wish to appeal against it informally in writing or by attending court....
Complaining About Anti Social Behaviour
Anti-social behaviour can blight home and community life and it is your responsibility and right to take appropriate action to stop such public nuisance....
Complaining to Retail & Shopping Regulatory Bodies
When a consumer buys a product or a service they can feel safe in the knowledge that if anything goes wrong there are powerful organisations ready to defend their rights....
Complaining: Counter-Productive In The Workplace?
Constructive complaint is a key part of a productive workplace, but when it serves no purpose other than as a social moan, it can have a very detrimental effect....
Complaint About Car Repairs and Servicing: A Case Study
The benefits of a car can often be outweighed by the headache of securing a good standard of repairs and servicing, as this case study attests....
Complaint About Poor Building Work: A Case Study
Home building work is a costly business but, if you want to avoid upset and complaint, maintaining high standards is much more important than cutting corners, as this case study shows....
Deal With Constant Complainers
Constant complainers are toxic element of the workplace that sap team morale and productivity, but how can we stamp out their poisonous sniping?...
Dealing With Nightmare Housemates
Sharing a property demands effort, responsibility, and understanding, and if one person is letting the side down it can ruin home life for everyone. But what can you do about a difficult housemate?...
Energy Regulatory Bodies and Complaining
If a gas or electricity supplier fails to provide a satisfactory resolution to a complaint there are regulatory bodies set up to make sure the consumer’s rights are upheld....
Finance Regulatory Bodies and How to Complain
When all avenues of complaint with a financial institution have been exhausted, the next step to consider is taking the problem up to a higher authority, the regulatory bodies....
Financial Complaints
Banks are renowned for taking advantage of their customers but by imposing unfair charges on millions of account holders across Britain, people are being pushed into taking action....
Going to Court if Your Complaint Cannot Be Resolved
If a complaint can’t find resolution through a company complaints procedure or an ADR but is important enough follow to the bitter end, then the courts offer the final solution....
Having Evidence When Complaining
As rules, regulations and red tape get ever more complex and entangling, the need for hard evidence to support a complaint is particularly vital....
Health Complaints
If standards of healthcare treatment are unacceptable it is important the problem is resolved satisfactorily. However, when the death of a loved one is concerned, good complaint handling becomes cruci...
Health Services Regulatory Bodies and Complaining
If a patient of the health service finds themself the subject of misconduc, there are many avenues of complaint to pursue both within the organisations and its regulatory bodies....
How Do I Complain About My Travel Card?
When asked to pay an extra fare on the bus, is the problem due to an Oyster card failure or the driver?...
How do I Make an Application to Court?
There is an easier and cost-free alternative available in resolving legal fee disputes. You can ask your solicitor to apply to the Legal Complaints Service (LCS) for a Remuneration Certificate....
How Organisations Benefit From Complaints
Many organisations are starting to realise that far from being simply criticisms of their faults, complaints provide an invaluable means of transforming the quality efficiency of their service....
How to Complain About Bank Charges
Since the bank test case in the Supreme Court in November 2009, it has become harder for people to claim back their bank charges. There are however, still some successes and so the process is worth g...
How to Complain About Your Boss
Making a complaint about your boss is risky because unwarranted complaints can jeopardise your working life and even your career, but if your manager is behaving inappropriately then their actions mus...
How to Complain If Landlord Won't Return Your Deposit
The law after 6 April 2007 requires that a landlord deposits into a Tenancy Deposit Scheme to stop landlords from pocketing a tenant’s money. When disputes arise, many tenants are still struggling to...
I Won My Bank Charge Case: A Case Study
After the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the banks in the test case brought in November 2009, it has been thought that it is now virtually impossible to claim back bank charges. This case study dem...
Internet Service Provider Issues: A Case Study
When something goes wrong with an internet service provider, it can be a tricky business to rectify however determined you are, as this case study demonstrates....
Is it my Responsibility to Pay for a Faulty Meter?
As the gas meter is the responsibility of the energy supplier, customers should not be liable for any costs incurred due to maintenance, replacement or any excess charges caused by its faulty operatio...
Is the Travel Agent Responsible for my Booking?
Although the travel agent is not liable for the misleading hotel information provided by their business clients, it is their job to inform you who to contact in the event of query or complaint....
Joining a Protest Organisation
If you believe strongly in a cause then joining others in a protest organisation can be an effective way of amplifying your voice and bringing about change....
Knowing Your Rights Before Complaining
The chances of getting an organisation or service provider to deal with a problem are much increased if the consumer, client or patient is aware of their legal rights....
Legal Advice When Making a Complaint
When making a serious complaint either via the courts or using an alternative dispute resolution, it is important to get expert advice to ensure the correct action is being taken....
Local Government Complaints
The day-to-day lives of everybody are affected by the actions of local government, and so it is therefore important that any problems with its operation are acknowledged and resolved satisfactorily....
Local Government Regulatory Bodies and Complaining
When all avenues of complaint with a local council have been exhausted and proven unsuccessful, the next step to consider is taking the problem to a regulatory authority, the local government ombudsma...
Making a Complaint in Person
Making a complaint in person is the most simple and direct way of addressing a problem and if approached in the correct manner it is also the most successful....
Making a Restaurant Complaint: A Case Study
Restaurants are a constant source of dissatisfaction but too often customers are reluctant to complain. In this case study we highlight how taking action will often bring results....
Making a Telephone Complaint
If it is not possible to take the direct action and try to resolve a complaint in person then the next best option is to contact the company via telephone....
Mobile Phone Problems: A Case Study
Problems with service agreements are a common headache for mobile users. In this case study we highlight a common contract issue and show how it can be effectively resolved....
Online Shopping: A Case Study
Online shopping is booming and few sites are as popular as the auction site eBay, but how safe is it? In this case study we highlight the dangers of bogus auction traders....
Package Holiday Problems: A Case Study
Although package holidays by and large offer greater protection for the holidaymaker, you still need to stand up for those consumer rights if something does go wrong, as this case study shows....
Personal Goods and Services: A Case Study
Personal goods and services in the retail sector is one of the main causes of consumer complaint in the UK. In this case study, we highlight one customer’s pursuit of justice....
Poor Holiday Accommodation: I Took Travel Company to Court
Whether you book a holiday yourself or through a tour operator, you need to stand up for your consumer rights if something goes wrong, as shown by this case study....
Praising and not Complaining
To enable the quality products and services to prosper, it is not only vital that an organisation is told when they are doing something badly, but also when they doing something well....
Questionnaire: Do You Have Grounds to Fight Your Parking Ticket?
If you have received a parking ticket, either from an official body or a private car park, take this questionnaire to find out if you have any grounds to challenge it....
Resolving Disputes Without The Courts
Resolving a complaint claim by going to court can be an expensive, time-consuming and stressful experience. Fortunately there are many alternative options available....
Second Hand Car Sales: A Case Study
With over six million second hand motors changing hands every year in the UK, used car sales is a vibrant market. But it also one fraught with risks....
Starting Your Own Campaign
If there’s an issue you strongly believe needs to be addressed then don’t wait for someone to take action, start your own campaign....
The Pros and Cons of Online Protest
The ease with which we can rally people through online social media may be changing the way we protest, but can it replace more traditional offline methods?...
The Rise of the Claiming Culture
Has the UK been taken over by a new compensation culture that squeezes money out of organisations for any frivolous claim, or is it all merely a media storm?...
The Sub-Culture of Complainers
Complaining not only has the power to right wrongs but also instil accomplishment and attract rewards. It’s not surprising therefore that a subculture has taken it up as a hobby....
Tips on Making a Complaint
More often than not, a complaint finds a resolution quickly and easily, but sometimes a problem arises which requires great skills and resolve in its search for success....
Transport Regulatory Bodies and Complaints
The UK’s transport network is blighted by poor service, but there are organisations committed to getting the voices of the disgruntled rail users heard and the nation’s transport system transformed....
Travel Agent Won't Cancel Mexico Holiday: What Can I Do?
As long as the official advice warns against travelling to Mexico, package holidaymakers with imminent travel plans should be entitled to receive an alternative holiday or full refund....
Travel and Holiday Regulatory Bodies Complaint
If all the avenues of complaint with a tour operator or travel agent have been exhausted then the next level to consider is taking to problem to a higher authority....
Travel Complaints
However carefully holiday plans are laid, flight delay and lost luggage are two unforeseeable disturbances that can affect everybody and disrupt everything....
UK Consumers Encouraged to Complain
The British enjoy a good moan but when shopping they are not renowned for standing up for their rights. A recent campaign encourages consumer confidence in getting the best deal....
Water Industry Regulatory Bodies Complaints
If a water and sewerage service provider fails to provide a satisfactory resolution to a complaint there are industry regulatory bodies set up to make sure the consumer’s rights are upheld....
What Are Students Complaining About?
Recent years have seen a significant rise in student complaints but is it an indication of falling standards or rising expectations?...
What Issues Are We Complaining About?
Dodgy second hand cars provoke the greatest number of customer complaints, but mobile phone services are catching up fast, according to the annual survey of a major UK consumer body....
When to Complain?
With complaining such an underground activity, many people are left confused as to when is the appropriate time to air their grievances and when are they causing an unnecessary scene....
Who Do I Complain to Regarding Third Parties?
Passing personal banking details to a third party company constitutes a serious breach of the data protection act and should be followed with a complaint...
Who To Complain To
The key to successful complaining is knowing the right person to complain to. However well defined a case might be, if it misses its target then it risks failing altogether....
Who You Can Complain to About Landlords
Under the terms of your tenancy agreement, landlords are legally bound to provide a good standard of accommodation. If they fail to honour this then you are entitled to complain....
Why Complain?
Complaining is a means for people to assert their rights, but instead of feeling empowered the average UK citizen sees complaining as both unsavoury and futile act....
Writing a Complaint Letter
Although, in the age of emails and text messages, letter writing may be a dying art form, letters are still a powerful means of resolving a complaint....
Your Right to Peaceful Protest
The people power of protest has been a positive force for change throughout UK history, and despite official efforts to clamp down on this free expression it is still a potent force today....