Subscription contracts – key terms, risks and practical considerations

Subscription contracts are a common feature of the consumer landscape but increasingly concern has been expressed about whether consumers understand the terms of such contracts and are receiving value for money.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 contains a series of specific provisions relating to this type of contract which are now due to come into force in January 2027. These provisions set out complex rules which will need to be complied with by traders failing which they may be the subject of enforcement action under the Competition and Markets Authority’s new fining powers.

This webinar will review the key provisions and will examine what traders need to do to ensure compliance and avoid enforcement action.

Topics covered include:

• Definition of ‘subscription contracts’ – what types of contracts are caught by the rules?
• Pre-contract information – what needs to be provided and when?
• Cooling-off rights – what are the relevant time periods?
• Reminder notices – when do they need to be provided and what information should they contain?
• Enforcement – what are the civil and criminal consequences of failing to comply?