Call for consumer protection

A consumer law for Jersey is being worked on but will take time

There has been a call for urgent laws to protect Jersey people who buy goods and services from firms that are in financial difficulties.

It comes after the collapse of the Five Oaks car dealership in the island. The firm got into financial difficulties and some customers who had bought vehicles on finance faced losing their cars.

Tim Hudson, a lawyer acting for many of those worried after they bought their cars from Five Oaks says the incident shows there is a desperate need for consumer protection laws like those in the UK.

But it is unlikely a law like the UK's will be available for a few years, according to the Economic Development Committee's president, Deputy Gerald Voisin.

Deputy Voisin said time has been set aside for the drafting of a Jersey consumer law.

However, because of Jersey's existing, traditional contract law, it will take time to draw up.