[F1234CComplaints by consumer bodiesU.K.
(1)A designated consumer body may make a complaint to the FCA that a feature, or combination of features, of a market in the United Kingdom for financial services [F2or of a market in Great Britain for claims management services] is, or appears to be, significantly damaging the interests of consumers.
[F3(1A)But a complaint may not be made to the FCA under this section if it is a complaint which could be made to the Payment Systems Regulator by a designated representative body under section 68 of the Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 (complaints by representative bodies).
“Designated representative body” and “the Payment Systems Regulator” have the same meaning in this subsection as they have in that section.]
(2)“Designated consumer body” means a body designated by the Treasury by order.
(3)The Treasury—
(a)may designate a body only if it appears to them to represent the interests of consumers of any description, and
(b)must publish in such manner as they think fit (and may from time to time vary) criteria to be applied by them in determining whether to make or revoke a designation.
(4)Sections 425A and 425B (meaning of “consumers”) apply for the purposes of this section, but the references to consumers in this section do not include consumers who are authorised persons.
(5)In this section—
(a)“market in the United Kingdom” has the meaning given in section 140A [F4(and “market in Great Britain” is to be construed accordingly)];
(b)the reference to a feature of a market in the United Kingdom for financial services [F5, or of a market in Great Britain for claims management services,] has a meaning corresponding to that which a reference to a feature of a market in the United Kingdom for goods and services has (by virtue of section 140A(3)) for the purposes of Chapter 4 of Part 9A.]
Textual Amendments
F1Pt. 16A inserted (24.1.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), ss. 43, 122(3) (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/113, art. 2(1)(b)(c), Sch. Pts. 2, 3; S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.
F2Words in s. 234C(1) inserted (E.W.S.) (6.10.2018) by Financial Guidance and Claims Act 2018 (c. 10), ss. 27(6)(a), 37(5); S.I. 2018/1045, reg. 2(a)
F3S. 234C(1A) inserted (1.3.2014) by Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 (c. 33), ss. 68(6), 148(5); S.I. 2014/377, art. 2(1)(a), Sch. Pt. 1
F4Words in s. 234C(5)(a) inserted (E.W.S.) (6.10.2018) by Financial Guidance and Claims Act 2018 (c. 10), ss. 27(6)(b)(i), 37(5); S.I. 2018/1045, reg. 2(a)
F5Words in s. 234C(5)(b) inserted (E.W.S.) (6.10.2018) by Financial Guidance and Claims Act 2018 (c. 10), ss. 27(6)(b)(ii), 37(5); S.I. 2018/1045, reg. 2(a)