Personal legal expenses insurance could help you and your family with a number of legal issues, depending on what cover you have. This site can help you learn about legal expenses insurance, how to get it, and how to use it if you have it.
See what we offer to our people
Legal expenses insurance can help you with a number of legal issues affecting your business.
News and analysis from our experts
Many brokers and law firms have chosen to partner with DAS. Here you can find out why our partners choose us, and how you can join them.
We've now made it even easier for customers to make a claim. Here you can find out how.
As 2023 begins, people are ready to have a fresh start. For many, that means hitting the gym and making fitness a top priority.
Gyms are prepared for a New Year’s resolution rush and every January millions of people rush to sign expensive gym membership contracts. But how fair are these contracts and can you terminate them if your situation changes?
Unfortunately, the contracts new gym members sign can be packed with incomprehensible language, long notice periods, and even the odd unfair term. So what happens when those New Year resolutions go out the window or your circumstances change? What are a gym member’s rights to terminate their contract? Under what circumstances does a member have a case for arguing that their membership should end?
Simon Roberts, Solicitor at DAS Law, provides the few key points for gym members…
If the gym closes or removes a facility which formed a significant part of its offering – for example, a swimming pool or steam room – this could be construed as a breach of contract by the gym. This gives you grounds to argue for a reduction in fees or termination of the contract.
If you have a fixed term membership, e.g. for 12 months, but your circumstances change in an unforeseeable way – a long-term illness, losing your job or having to move home, you could have grounds for cancellation or membership freeze.
This is because the courts in England and Wales have decided that some minimum terms of memberships are unfair, particularly where termination is prevented despite the member dealing with unforeseen circumstances.
An increase in your gym membership fee could result in a breach of contract, but it depends on the wording of your membership contract.
If the wording in the contract that entitles them to increase the fee was not prominent and clearly worded - or if the price rise is large enough to show that it represents a significant departure from the original basis of the membership contract – then you may have a right to terminate your membership.
If you have already signed a gym membership contract and on review believe that one or more of its terms could be unfair, you still have rights. In particular, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 means that any contract entered into is subject to a test of fairness.
If a term of the contract or the entire contract is found to be unfair it will not be binding. An unnecessarily long contract, unreasonable early termination fees, automatic renewals or punitive penalties may all be considered to be unfair under the Act.
The key with gym contracts is to read them carefully and only sign if you’re happy with them. If a specific clause seems unfair or inappropriate, ask the gym to remove it from your contract before you sign.
If you find that you need to terminate the contract early, check the contract to see if it covers your circumstances. Does it, for example, specify what happens if you are unwell or lose your job? If it does not, then you have good grounds for a discussion with your gym to try to reach an agreement.
DAS UK customers have access to templates and guides on dashouseholdlaw.co.uk. Whether you want to challenge an employment decision, apply for flexible working rights, contest a parking ticket or create a will, DAS Householdlaw can help.
You can access DAS Householdlaw by using the voucher code in your policy provider’s documentation.
Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance regarding rights and responsibilities and is not formal legal advice as no lawyer-client relationship has been created. Note that the information was accurate at the time of publication but laws may have since changed.
The key with gym contracts is to read them carefully and only sign if you’re happy with them. If a specific clause seems unfair or inappropriate, ask the gym to remove it from the contract before you sign.