our consultation papers and feedback statements

the documents on this page all download in PDF format

• our consultation papers and feedback statements
• joint consultations and final rules
• our responses to other organisations' consultation papers

consultation papers and feedback statements
published by the Financial Ombudsman Service

We consult each year on the plans and budget we are proposing for the next financial year:

• our annual plans and budgets (consultation and feedback)

amendments to rules (benchmarks regulation, MiFID2 and advising on investments)

• consultation (October 2017)

amendments to rules (changes to the time limits for PPI complaints)

• consultation (June 2017)
• feedback statement

amendments to rules (administration instrument)

• consultation (October 2016)
• feedback statement

complaints data publication

• consultation (October 2016)
• feedback statement

amendments to rules - possible changes to the time limits for PPI complaints

• consultation (December 2015)

amendments to rules (not for profit debt advice agencies)

• consultation (August 2015)
• feedback statement

amendments to rules (complaints handling supplementary instrument 2015)

• consultation (July 2015)
• feedback statement

amendments to rules (alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and pension transfers)

• consultation (May 2015)
• feedback statement

amendments to our voluntary jurisdiction

• consultation paper (April 2015)
• feedback statement

amendments to our voluntary jurisdiction

• consultation paper (June 2014)
• feedback statement

updating the scope of our voluntary jurisdiction

• consultation paper (May 2013)
• feedback statement

minor changes to the dispute resolution: complaints sourcebook

• consultation paper (February 2013)
• feedback statement (March 2013)

changing our case fee arrangements:

• preliminary consultation paper (January 2012)
• feedback statement (July 2012)

publishing ombudsman decisions:

• discussion paper on the practical issues in publishing ombudsman decisions (September 2011)
• summary of responses (January 2012)
• our approach (March 2013)

publication of complaints data relating to individual named businesses:

• publication of complaints data: what we will do (March 2009)
• "next steps" discussion paper (September 2008)

voluntary jurisdiction - filling gaps for EEA businesses:

• consultation paper (July 2007)

rules for the new consumer credit jurisdiction:

• consultation paper (June 2006)
• feedback statement (December 2006)

extending our voluntary jurisdiction - National Savings & Investments:

• consultation paper (May 2004)
  
• feedback statement (September 2004)

extending our jurisdiction:

• consultation paper (May 2002)
• feedback statement (December 2002)

joint consultations and final rules

papers published jointly by the Financial Ombudsman Service with regulators and other bodies

2017

• statement of difference - fees (tariff data for insurers in 2017/18) instrument

2016

• FCA Handbook Notice 39
• statement of difference - small and medium sized business (finance platforms) instrument 2016
• secondary annuity market - proposed rules and guidance
• FCA handbook changes regarding the segregation of client money on loan-based crowdfunding platforms, the Innovate Finance ISA, and the regulated activity of advising on peer-to-peer agreements (PS16/8)
• handbook changes to reflect the introduction of the IFISA and the regulated activity of advising on peer-to-peer agreements (CP16/5)
• mortgage credit directive: minor changes to our rules and guidance
• FCA Handbook Notice 31

2015

• future regulatory treatment of CCA regulated first charge mortgages (PS16/7)
• future regulatory treatment of CCA regulated first charge mortgages (CP15/36)
• off-shore bonds - quarterly consultation no.10
• buy-to-let mortgages: implementing the Mortgage Credit Directive Order 2015, feedback on CP15/3 and final rules
• buy-to-let mortgages: implementing the Mortgage Credit Directive Order 2015 (CP15/3)
• UCITS V implementation and other changes to the Handbook affecting investment funds
• designated credit reference agencies and finance platforms - quarterly consultation no.9
• FCA Handbook notice 32 supplement
• FCA Handbook Notice 31

2014

• improving complaints handling, feedback on CP14/30 and final rules
• improving complaints handling (CP14/30)

2013

• detailed rules for the FCA regime for consumer credit (PS14/3)
• detailed rules for the FCA regime for consumer credit (CP13/10)
• implementation of the alternative investment fund managers directive (PS13/5)
• implementation of the alternative investment fund managers directive (CP13/9)

2012

• FSA handbook notice 121
• collective investment schemes - quarterly consultation no.32

2011

• consumer complaints (the ombudsman award limit and changes to complaints-handling rules) (CP11/10)
• FS11/2: consumer complaints (emerging risks and mass claims) - feedback on DP10/1
• regulatory reform: the ombudsman scheme
• FEES and consumer redress schemes - quarterly consultation no.28
• FSA handbook notice 111 and FSA handbook notice 112
• FSA handbook notice 114

2010

• implementation of the second Electronic Money Directive: supplement to HM Treasury's consultation (PS11/02)
• implementation of the second Electronic Money Directive: supplement to HM Treasury's consultation (CP10/25)
• CP10/24: Regulatory fees and levies (policy proposals for 2011/12)
• consolidated policy statement on our fee-raising arrangements and regulatory fees and levies 2011/2012
• consumer complaints: the ombudsman award limit and changes to complaints-handling rules (feedback to CP10 21)
• consumer complaints: the ombudsman award limit and changes to complaints-handling rules
• DP10/1: Consumer complaints (emerging risks and mass claims)
• regulatory reporting for sale and rent back firms (feedback on CP10/4)

2009

• sale and rent back (full regime) (feedback on CP09/22)
• (CP09/20) Payment Services Directive final changes (DISP and FEES) - quarterly consultation no.21
  
• PS09/4: feedback on CP08/14
• FSA handbook notice 92
• regulating sale and rent back: an interim regime
• regulating sale and rent back: an interim regime (feedback on CP09/6)

2008

• implementation of the payment services directive (feedback on CP08/14)
• implementation of the payment services directive (CP08/14)
• proposed amendments to the Dispute Resolution: Complaints Sourcebook - quarterly consultation no. 17
• PS08/3: feedback on CP07/14
• FSA handbook notice 81

2007

• dispute resolution: the complaint sourcebook - further simplification and minor changes and extending the voluntary jurisdiction
• dispute resolution: the complaint sourcebook - further simplification and minor changes
• FS07/2: feedback on DP06/2

2006

• PS06/4: review of compensation scheme and ombudsman service limits and miscellaneous amendments to the compensation sourcebook
• DP06/2: Financial Ombudsman Service compulsory jurisdiction - funding review

2005

• review of compensation scheme and ombudsman service limits and miscellaneous amendments to the compensation sourcebook
• PS05/10: feedback on CP05/04 FSMA 2 year review (Financial Ombudsman Service procedural rules)
• feedback on CP05/4FSMA 2 year review: financial ombudsman service procedural rules

2004

• CP04/12: FSMA 2 year review: Financial Ombudsman Service July 2004
• FSMA 2 year review: Financial Ombudsman Service (feedback on CP04/12 and supplementary FOS consultation on procedural rules)
  

2001

• policy statement - dispute resolution
  the complaints sourcebook: a joint policy statement on CP74 and CP99 and a Financial Ombudsman Service consultation paper on transitional case fees
• CP99: complaints-handling rules
  transitional arrangements and other amendments

2000

• policy statement: complaints handling arrangements
• CP74: funding the Financial Ombudsman Service
  
• CP49: complaints handling arrangements - feedback statement on CP33 and draft rules

1999

• CP33: consumer complaints and the new single ombudsman scheme

1998

• policy statement: responses to CP4

1997

• CP4: consumer complaints
  

documents published by the Financial Ombudsman Service in response to other organisations' consultation papers

2016

• response to Law Commission consultation - 13th Programme of Law Reform
• response to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills' call for evidence on the consumer landscape
• response to the Commission on Dormant Assets
• response to the report of the Working Group on Consumer and Competition Policy for Scotland
• the Law Commission consultation 'Bills of Sale'
• the Ministry of Justice consultation 'Claims Management Regulation Consultation: cutting the costs for consumers - financial claims'

2015

• pension transfers and early exit charges
• Department for Business, Innovation and Skills - small business commissioner

2014

• Insurance Bill - evidence to Special Public Bill Committee
• London Assembly Economy Committee - investigation into personal problem debt
• HM Treasury - Insurance Contracts Law Draft Bill
• Alternative dispute resolution for consumers: implementing the alternative dispute resolution directive and online dispute resolution regulation
• HM Treasury - freedom and choice in pensions
• Ministry of Justice - Regulatory enforcement - Financial penalties
• Banking Standards Review
• Association of British Insurers (ABI) proposal to amend the Critical Illness Insurance Statement of Best Practice
• Ministry of Justice - Proposals to amend the Conduct of Authorised Persons Rules: The Financial Services Perspective
  

2013

• Application for status of super-complainant to the Financial ConductAuthority (FCA): opportunity to comment
• Department for Work & Pensions - Triennial Review of Pensions Bodies
• EIOPA Complaint Data Request

2012

• Association of British Insurers: consultation on annuity rate transparency
• FSA CP12/19: restrictions on the retail distribution of unregulated collective investment schemes and close substitutes
• response to CMR proposals for amendments to the conduct of authorised persons rules
• consultation on insurance contract law
• FSA consultation paper – consumer redress scheme in respect of unsuitable advice to invest in Arch cru funds
• consultation on enhancing consumer protection, reducing regulatory restriction
• consultation on insurance contract law
• consumer focus workplan 2012-2013
• commission proposals on alternative dispute resolution

2011

• discussion paper on enhancing consumer protection, reducing regulatory restrictions and call for evidence
• ombudsman preliminary response
• submission to the joint committee on the draft financial service bill
• consultation on empowering and protecting consumers
• response to CP6/2011 – solving disputes in the county courts
• review of claims management regulation
• a new approach to financial regulation: building a stronger system
• consultation on transposition of UCITS IV directive
• consultation on the use of alternative dispute resolution

2009

• response to FSA discussion paper (DP08/5) on consumer responsibility