CONSUMER DIRECT

Consumer Direct is a telephone and online advice and information service for consumers in Great Britain, supported by the Office of Fair Trading.  

It does not however have any investigation function.

www.consumerdirect.gov.uk

COMPANIES HOUSE

The primary function of Companies House is to: 

• Incorporate and dissolve limited companies;

• Examine and store company information delivered under the Companies Acts;

• Make such information available to the public, and

• Maintain the register of disqualified directors;

It only has a limited investigative and enforcement function, usually regarding defaults in filing documents. 

www.companieshouse.gov.uk

To search the Register of Disqualified Directors go to: 

www.companieshouse.gov.uk/ddir

To make a complaint about someone who may be acting whilst disqualified go to: 

www.insolvency.gov.uk/doitonline/ddbase.htm

The Insolvency Service

Although CIB is part of the Insolvency Service, other parts of the Insolvency Service deal with investigation into the following matters:

• Companies which are in compulsory liquidation;

• Individuals who have become bankrupt;

• Disqualification of directors following liquidation, administration orders, or administrative receivership.

• Conduct of Insolvency Practitioners authorised by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

www.insolvency.gov.uk

CITIZENS ADVICE

Citizens Advice Bureaux offer free, confidential, impartial and independent advice, on many subjects, including advising consumers on their rights. 

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING

The OFT investigates complaints about unfair trading practices, misleading advertising, breaches of the Consumer Credit provisions and unfair competition.

www.oft.gov.uk

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM - FAIR MARKETS GROUP

DTI Fair Markets Group is responsible for the policy on, and law making, relating to consumers, companies and competition. 

It does not have any investigative function. 

www.berr.gov.uk/bbf/index.html

SERIOUS FRAUD OFFICE

The Serious Fraud Office carries out criminal investigations into large and complex frauds (usually where the losses exceed £1 million).

www.sfo.gov.uk

TRADING STANDARDS OFFICES (TSO)

Each local authority has a TSO to investigate breaches of the law controlling the supply of goods and services, amongst other things. This link will help you find your local TSO (which may be called by some other name).

TSOs generally deal with consumer complaints. They do not usually investigate business-to-business matters, allegations of company fraud or wider misconduct by a company. 

www.tradingstandards.gov.uk

ADVERTISING STANDARDS AUTHORITY 

The ASA is the independent body which looks into complaints about advertisements, sales promotions and direct marketing in the UK. Their object is to ensure that adverts are legal, decent, honest and truthful.

It does not have any investigative function. It will refer potential misleading advertising cases to the Office of Fair Trading. 

www.asa.org.uk

THE CHARITY COMMISSION

The Charity Commission is responsible for the registration and regulation of charities in England and Wales.

It can investigate and, if necessary, intervene in the affairs of a charity.

If the charity is also a limited company, it may fall within the scope of CIB’s powers of enquiry. However, the Charity Commission and CIB will consult with each other to determine who is best placed to investigate.  

www.charity-commission.gov.uk

OFFICE OF THE SCOTTISH CHARITY REGULATOR

 This body carries out a similar function to the Charity Commission (see above) but only in relation to Scottish charities. 

www.oscr.org.uk

THE LAW SOCIETY

The Law Society investigate complaints about solicitors. 

www.lawsociety.org.uk

THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS IN ENGLAND AND WALES (ICAEW)

The ICAEW investigates complaints about its members. 

www.icaew.co.uk

THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS IN SCOTLAND (ICAS)

The ICAS investigates complaints about its members. 

www.icas.org.uk

THE ASSOCIATION OF CHARTERED CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANTS (ACCA)

The ACCA investigates complaints about its members. 

www.acca.co.uk

THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AUTHORITY (FSA)

The Financial Services Authority regulates the financial markets (including companies quoted on the London Stock Exchange) and authorises and regulates businesses operating in the financial services market (which now includes mortgage brokers and insurance brokers). 

It also investigates allegations of market abuse (including insider dealing and market manipulation). 

If a limited company is carrying on a regulated business without authority, it may fall within the scope of CIB’s powers of enquiry. However, the FSA and CIB will consult with each other to determine who is best placed to investigate. 

www.fsa.gov.uk

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement

This office deals with complaints against companies which are based in the Republic of Ireland. 

www.odce.ie

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Northern Ireland)

This office deals with complaints against companies which are based in Northern Ireland. 

www.detini.gov.uk