(Updated 14 July 2008)
I now practice as a barrister from Atlas Chambers, and take instructions on all public, planning and consumer protection law matters. Please see the About Me page for further information.
This website was established in order to provide background information on a test case that I brought against Natwest during 2007 in respect of the lawfulness of bank charges that had been imposed on my personal current account. After forcing a settlement into my account and then closing that account, Natwest were able to avoid having the lawfulness of such charges challenged in my case. Fortunately, the Office of Fair Trading has since initiated their own test case in respect of the lawfulness of bank charges, and that case is currently being heard in the High Court.
A summary of the case Brennan v National Westminster Bank [2007] EWHC 2759 (QB) and my reasons for bringing the claim can be seen on the Case Summary page. A more detailed consideration of the basis for a claim for a breach of statutory duty can be found on the Statutory Duty page.
Whilst I am obviously disappointed with the outcome of my own case, it should be noted that the result does not affect any other claims by consumers against their banks, which are currently on hold whilst the OFT test case continues. Once the stay on those cases has been lifted, claims can and should be brought against the banks by consumers who feel aggrieved by the level and incidence of charges imposed on their personal current account.
I am grateful for all the public support I have received during the course of my case, and I can only apologise that my case did not meet with more success. Hopefully the OFT will succeed in preventing the continued use of such unfair and disproportionate bank charges.
Further information on how to reclaim your bank charges can be found on the BBC News Website, the Legal Beagles forums, or the Consumer Action Group forums:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6170209.stm
www.legalbeagles.info/
