Your Rights

Here are some useful contact for organisations that help protect your rights:

• HMCS Court finder 
  

Consumer Rights
Regulatory Bodies/Consumer Watchdogs

OFGEM - Office of Gas & Electricity Markets, telephone 0845 435702.

Office of Communications (Ofcom)
Ofcom is the regulator for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services. Ofcom inherits the duties of the five existing regulators it replaces: the Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC), the Independent Television Commission (ITC), Oftel, the Radio Authority and the Radio Communications Agency. 

Web: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/  phone: 0845 456 3000 

OFWAT - OFWAT  Water regulator - telephone 0845758 1658

For details of other bodies please contact The Trading Standards Central Office.

Trading Standards Tel: 08457 585497

The Trading Standards Institutes produce a leaflet explaining your legal rights when purchasing goods.

and the national association citizen's advice bureaux (NACAB) website has useful information on your rights when purchasing a service.

Medway Trading Standards Team

The first step when making a complaint is to contact the provider of the goods or services.  The Office of Fair Trading website has good advice on how to complain including tactics you can use, tips and advice on how to get a satisfactory outcome to your complaint.

DATA PROTECTION

Remember, if you do not want your personal details to be used for direct marketing, you have the right to object. The Information Commissioner's website has more information.

ADVERTISING STANDARDS AUTHORITY

2 Torrington Place,
London
WC1E 7HW

For further information please visit the Advertising Standards Authority Website at http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/ (external site)

The Legal Services Commission (LSC) looks after legal aid in England and Wales. They work in partnership with solicitors and not-for-profit organisations to provide services to help people in need. Funded by the LSC, "Community Legal Service Direct" (CLS Direct) provides information, help and advice on a range of common legal problems:

• national helpline 0845 345 4 345
• website www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/index.jsp

Marketing & Communications

E-mail:

web.editor@
thanet.gov.uk

Tel: 01843 577168