The Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015 No. 542

SCHEDULE 3 Requirements that a competent authority must be satisfied that the body meets

Effectiveness

6.  The body—

(a) ensures that its alternative dispute resolution procedure is available and easily accessible to both parties irrespective of where they are located including by electronic means and non-electronic means;

(b) ensures that—

(i) the parties to a dispute are not obliged to obtain independent advice or be represented or assisted by a third party although they may choose to do so;

(ii) the alternative dispute resolution is available free of charge or at a nominal fee for consumers;

(c) notifies the parties to a dispute as soon as it has received all the documents containing the relevant information relating to the dispute constituting the complete complaint file;

(d) notifies the parties of the outcome of the alternative dispute resolution procedure within a period of 90 days from the date on which the body has received the complete complaint file except that, in the case of a highly complex dispute, the body may extend this period but must inform the parties of this extension and the expected length of time that it will need to conclude the alternative dispute resolution procedure.