On this page
A source is strongest when its authority is clear
Use this directory to reach the official material, then record the precise rule, version, territorial scope and reason it matters to the dispute.
Choose the source
Start as close to the authority as possible
Use legislation for statutory wording, regulator material for sector rules, scheme rules for eligibility and official judgments for decided legal issues. Commentary should explain, not replace, the source.
Legislation, court rules and official judgments.
Regulator rules, statutory guidance and ombudsman terms.
Guidance that makes the route usable but should be tested against the source.
Searchable directory
Primary and authoritative UK sources
Every entry pairs the official destination with a ConsumerWise page that explains how it fits into a practical complaint or dispute.
legislation.gov.uk
The official home of UK legislation. Use revised and original views, amendment information, commencement material and territorial notes to verify the text relevant to the event.
GOV.UK
Official government departments, agencies, consultations, statutory guidance and public-service information. Check the publishing body, update date and whether a page is guidance or law.
Civil Procedure Rules
Official procedural rules and practice directions for civil courts in England and Wales, including pre-action conduct and specific claim tracks.
Judiciary UK
Official judgments, speeches and information from the courts and judiciary. For case research, verify the neutral citation and court level.
Competition and Markets Authority
Official market studies, consumer-enforcement guidance and information about competition and consumer protection work.
Advertising Standards Authority
Official Advertising Codes, complaint routes, rulings and guidance on responsible advertising in the UK.
Citizens Advice consumer service
Official consumer guidance and the public advice route through which suitable information may be referred to Trading Standards in England and Wales.
Financial Conduct Authority
Official consumer information, firm register, Handbook, policy and enforcement material for UK financial services.
Financial Ombudsman Service
Official complaint eligibility, time limits, decisions and consumer guidance for eligible disputes with financial businesses.
Information Commissioner's Office
Official guidance and complaint routes for data protection, direct marketing, FOI and EIR.
Ofcom
Official rules, consumer guidance, complaints information and approved ADR material for communications services.
Ofgem
Official energy regulation and consumer information for Great Britain, including the route from a supplier complaint to the Energy Ombudsman.
Regulator of Social Housing
Official standards, judgements and regulatory information for registered social housing providers in England.
Housing Ombudsman
Official complaint guidance, decisions, landlord reports and the statutory Complaint Handling Code.
Civil Aviation Authority
Official passenger-rights guidance, complaint routes, approved ADR information and aviation regulation.
Office of Rail and Road
Official rail passenger regulation, consumer-law, accessibility, complaint handling and industry monitoring material.
ACAS
Official workplace guidance and the Early Conciliation route used before many Employment Tribunal claims.
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Official guidance and codes concerning the Equality Act and human rights in Great Britain.
No matching source was found. Try the sector, body or source type.
Verify before relying
Four checks for an online source
Official status does not remove the need to check scope, currency and relevance.
- Publisher. Confirm the body has authority for the rule, scheme or procedure you are describing.
- Status. Identify whether the page is legislation, a binding rule, statutory guidance, a code, a policy or general information.
- Date and version. Look for effective dates, amendments, archived editions and last-updated information.
- Territory and audience. Check which UK nation, business type, complainant and event the source covers.
Build a source trail
Save a source so another person can test it
A reliable complaint lets the reader find the material, understand why it applies and see the exact part relied on.
| Record | Keep |
|---|---|
| Identity | Title, publisher, URL and source type. |
| Currency | Publication, update, effective and access dates where available. |
| Pinpoint | Section, regulation, rule, paragraph or heading. |
| Copy | PDF, screenshot or saved page for material that may change. |
| Application | One sentence explaining how the source connects to the disputed event and outcome. |
Use with care
An official page can still be the wrong source
A regulator may publish excellent guidance about a market without having jurisdiction over your respondent. A current page may not describe the rules that applied years ago. A policy may describe discretion rather than a legal duty.
Do not cite a home page as the rule
Use a directory entry to find the body, then link or refer to the exact rule, decision, provision or complaint procedure that supports the point.