"Chris Morrison" <hidden@nospam.priv> wrote in message
news:1171896167_4857@sp6iad.superfeed.net...
>
> Locking someone into a contract for 18 months and charging them £300+ to
> get out of it is immoral,
> punitive and unfair.

Why? You you understand what 'contract' actually means?

> Surely this must come under the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts
> Regulations
> 1999 or some such.

Why is it unfair, it's perfectly reasonable that she agreed to pay an amount
every month for 18 months, in return for a product and service, they've kept
their end of the bargain so why should she not be required to keep hers?

> Does any know of any cases or precedents where this has been challenged in
> court?

Not in this case because the contract is entirely fair.

> Since she is a 3 customer and has not entered into any contract with
> whichever debt collection
> agency they choose to use, how do they have the right to add their own
> fees on top of the original
> debt, and are these enforceable in court?

They have every right. She should have reached an agreement with 3 before it
got this far. Unfortunately they hear the "I'll pay you in 2 weeks when I
get paid" thing all the time, they don't believe a word of it, basically.

Best thing your friend can do is contact 3 and ask that if she pays the £300
now if they will drop the debt collection.