Know your consumer rights.
Faulty goods, refunds, online returns, bad workmanship, subscription traps and scams — explained against the law of England & Wales, current to 2026. Legal information you can act on, not advice that replaces a solicitor.
Check a consumer problem
Describe a faulty product, bad service, refund refusal, or scam for a plain-English read.
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Upload terms, a warranty, or a subscription contract to see what it actually says.
Prepare a solicitor handoff
Package the facts and open questions for fast, focused regulated advice.
Faulty Goods: Your Right to a Refund (England & Wales)
What to do when something you bought is faulty or not as described — your 30-day right to reject and the repair, replace and refund remedies under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Cancelling an Online Order: The 14-Day Cooling-Off Right (England & Wales)
How the 14-day cooling-off period lets you cancel most online and distance purchases under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, what you get back, and the main exceptions.
Section 75 vs Chargeback: Getting Your Money Back (England & Wales)
When to use Consumer Credit Act 1974 section 75 credit-card protection and when to use a chargeback, the key differences, and how to claim if a purchase goes wrong.
Poor Workmanship and Bad Service: Your Rights (England & Wales)
What you can do when a builder, tradesperson or service provider does a poor job — the reasonable-care-and-skill standard and the remedies available under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Subscription Traps and Auto-Renewals: How to Cancel (England & Wales)
How to escape unwanted subscriptions and auto-renewals, the cancellation rights you have now, and what the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 will change once in force.
Scammed by a Bank Transfer? APP Fraud Reimbursement (England & Wales)
What to do if you were tricked into a bank transfer or your account was used without permission — APP fraud mandatory reimbursement, unauthorised-payment rights and the steps to take.
Can The Counsel help me get a refund?
It can explain your rights — when you're entitled to a refund, repair or replacement, and how to ask — and help you draft the request. It is a legal-information tool, not a solicitor, and it can't pursue the claim for you.
What are my rights if something I bought is faulty?
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. Within 30 days of buying you usually have a short-term right to reject and get a full refund; after that the remedy is normally repair or replacement first.
Is this up to date with the latest consumer law?
Yes — these guides reflect the law as it stands in 2026, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, APP-fraud reimbursement, and the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (with its subscription rules flagged for current commencement).
Where can I get free consumer help?
The Citizens Advice consumer service and your local Trading Standards offer free help, and your card provider or bank handles Section 75, chargeback and fraud claims. The Counsel helps you prepare so those conversations are faster and better evidenced.
The Counsel is an AI tool for England & Wales. It provides legal information, not legal advice, and does not replace a regulated solicitor. For anything high-value or contested, prepare a solicitor handoff and take advice before you act.