The Association of Consumer Support Organisations (ACSO) has published a new Code of Ethics that holds our 50 members to the highest standards of conduct.
Executive director, Matthew Maxwell Scott, said the Code underscored ACSO’s commitment to “providing the highest degree of consumer support and industry standards. Our shared core principles of access to justice, competition and transparency, accountability, equality and diversity, innovation and technology, integrity and leadership guide all of our activities.”
He explained that the Code, which was created with the support of the Institute of Business Ethics, is an overarching set of principles and practices to align with each member’s own ethical practices.
He added: “Making a visible public commitment to ethical behaviour is particularly important during this time of unprecedented change within the civil justice system. The erosion of civil protections, the ongoing digitalisation of court services and the disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak are just a few of the challenges that the sector needs to respond to.”
By supporting the Code, ACSO and its members will:
- Protect and advance the rights of consumers in the civil justice system;
- Help ensure the very highest industry standards are upheld;
- Maintain professionalism and integrity in their conduct with consumers, other members and third parties;
- Help promote and deliver the objectives of ACSO; and
- Do nothing to jeopardise the reputation of ACSO, its members or its work.
Maxwell Scott said: “The claims sector is an important bulwark for the delivery of access to justice for millions of vulnerable consumers who, without our help, would struggle to gain redress. Consumers need confidence that firms who advise them are reputable, responsible and ethical, and I believe ACSO’s Code is one measure to help build a higher degree of consumer trust”.