Homepage - Dispute Resolution Ombudsman

Inspiring Consumer Confidence
Since 1992

We are an independent, not-for-profit, government approved organisation set up to help resolve disputes and raise standards.

Our highly-trained staff provide impartial Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services to consumers and businesses, helping both sides reach a fair and reasonable outcome, which is binding on our members.

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How the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman works

Online Training Courses for businesses

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Our webinars and training courses are designed to address and examine topics that members face on a regular basis. They draw on 25 years of knowledge and review real life examples and casestudies, to give clear guidance and confidence to teams and individuals so they can implement improvements to their processes.

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Our articles, blogs and publications cover a range of topics for members, stakeholders and consumers.

21st August, 2023

As the August Bank Holiday weekend approaches, many will be turning their hand to home improvements. For proficient DIY enthusiasts, there’s seldom thought given to legal mishaps, but there are several important factors to consider when planning a pr...

25th May, 2023

GDPR Five Years On 25th May 2023 marks the 5th Anniversary of the once greatly anticipated EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)– a milestone in data protection law and regulation and a mind shift for organisations who process our personal dat...

2nd March, 2023

The Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman, (FHIO) has appointed new members from B & Q, DFS, Tapi Carpets and the British Association of Removers (BAR) respectively, to its Standards Board. Chaired by Dr Richard Kirkham from the University o...

15th December, 2022

How to get it right first time (and what to do if something goes wrong). ‘Tis the season and with Christmas shopping at the forefront of our minds, Black Friday sales behind us and the traditional January bargain-hunt on the horizon; many are looking...

21st November, 2022

This year on Black Friday, which takes place on 25 November, it’s anticipated that more than ever, consumers will be looking to bag a bargain in time ahead of Christmas. It’s a well understood principle of consumer protection law, that consumers are ...

2nd October, 2022

Furniture and flooring retailer invests in consumer protection as they strengthen their digital and omnichannel shopping approach. One of the UK’s largest retailers of upholstered furniture and floorings, ScS has joined the Furniture & Home Impr...

Our articles, blogs and publications cover a range of topics for members, stakeholders and consumers.

Oct 12, 2023

With much of the current policy-thinking centered on integrating what used to be termed “alternative” dispute resolution within the court system, it is more important than ever to remember that there are forms of dispute resolution that do not requir...

May 04, 2023

With royal fever sweeping across the country to mark the coronation of King Charles III, one question that has been raised with the Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO), is the status of Royal Warrants and what they mean for and to consume...

May 23, 2022

In an age where corporate culture and values have shifted following the worldwide impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) has had to adapt to transformative new ways of working by using modern tools, platforms and proces...

Nov 10, 2021

Where an agreement cannot be reached, or conflicting evidence is submitted at the conciliation process, which is the first stage of the process at the FHIO and DRO, a case will move to adjudication. In this instance we may send an independent to look...

Nov 09, 2021

When an application is received from a consumer, detailing a complaint against one of our members, the claim is investigated through our conciliation process. Our conciliation process guides both parties through the dispute, requesting evidence from ...

Sep 13, 2021

It is a truth universally acknowledged that obligations to ensure an installation project conforms to the plethora of legislation designed to protect consumers and ensure their safety, but there are some practical things consumers can do to ensure th...