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The supply of services: an analysis of the British Gas Servicing Contract
Author(s) -
HEWITT STEPHEN W.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of consumer studies and home economics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.775
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1470-6431
pISSN - 0309-3891
DOI - 10.1111/j.1470-6431.1986.tb00105.x
Subject(s) - publicity , legislation , business , service (business) , spare part , exclusion clause , arbitration , set (abstract data type) , arbitration clause , law , contract management , political science , marketing , compulsory arbitration , computer science , programming language
This paper is based on a research project carried out for the National Gas Consumer Council, and is an independent assessment of the standard terms contained in the British Gas Servicing Contract — in particular the comprehensive parts and labour contract offered for a complete central heating system. The paper analyses certain clauses that have given rise to particular comment, for example, Clause 1 Period of Agreement, Clause 3 Annual Service, Clause 4 Breakdown in Service (spare parts). The conclusion drawn is that these clauses are notable for their one‐sidedness, and that legislation giving rights to the consumer to challenge ‘unfair terms’ is insufficient to protect the consumer against large corporations. Additional safeguards suggested include a set of guidelines, an arbitration provision and better publicity.