Independent, practical help for litigants in person in England & Wales.
Written by John Barwell
The Financial Ombudsman Service is free and can bind firms to awards of up to £455,000 (£205,000 for pre-April 2019 acts) — yet the limits, the six-month time rule and the difference between a view and a binding final decision are routinely misunderstood. What the 2026 rules actually say, and how ombudsman redress compares with suing.
Written by John Barwell
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is often seen as a bureaucratic maze where complaints drag on and consumers feel unheard. Yet, my recent experience challenged this perception.
Written by John Barwell
The UK’s regulatory bodies are relics of a bygone era, built on flawed foundations and unfit for a modern society. Reform isn’t the answer; these institutions must be dismantled and rebuilt from the ground up, with transparency, accountability, and public oversight at their core. Without a radical overhaul, public trust will continue to erode, and justice will remain out of reach for many.
