Your Rights and The Law

Lets talk about your rights

Do you know what your rights are and what you are allowed and aren't allowed to do at your age? In this section, you'll find out about your rights whilst shopping, if you're disabled, getting legal advice and much more. It also has a section about when you are legally allowed to do things. You have rights agreed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This is a law agreed by 197 countries, including the UK, on what every child and young person under 18 has the right to.

Disabled People's rights

There are over 8 million disabled people in the UK, that's one in seven of the population. All disabled people have the same rights as able-bodied people. There are two acts that ensure discrimination against disabled people is prevented. These are the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) Act 1999. Look at the government's disability website for more information. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 gives access to rights in the areas of employment, access to goods, facilities and services, buying or renting land or property, education, and transport. The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) offers advice and help - call them on their help line 08457 622633. To be treated equally is a basic right for everyone and if you feel that others are getting different or better treatment than you, whatever the situation and whoever is doing it, you have the right to complain.

Your Consumer Rights

When you buy something in a shop or market, you and the seller are making a legal contract. According to the law, the goods must be of a satisfactory quality and be safe, they must be fit for the purpose for which you are buying them and they must be as they are described by the seller, or on the label or sign. Also, the item must not be damaged unless pointed out by the seller at the time you bought the item.

If you buy something in a sale, these rights are the same but sale goods can be sold with a defect. If this has been pointed out, you cannot ask for a refund. If you buy second hand goods you have the same rights as when buying new goods, unless the fault is obvious or is pointed out to you at the time. For more information on consumer rights contact the Consumer Direct helpline on 08454 040506 or visit their website: www.consumerdirect.gov.uk or look at the Trading Standards website:
www.tradingstandards.gov.uk

Law site for young people: www.rizer.co.uk

The Office of Fair Trading website give sgeneral advice on your consumer rights in the United Kingdom, tips on how to complain or how to find someone who can help with your problem. There is also information on shopping on credit and how get out of debt: www.oft.gov.uk