The law that applies
Consumer Rights Act 2015, Part 2
Unfair terms in consumer contracts are not binding. A term that creates a significant imbalance in the parties' rights - to the detriment of the consumer - is unfair.
Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013
14-day cooling-off right for contracts concluded at a distance (online, over the phone). Auto-renewal terms must be clearly disclosed.
The process - step by step
Formal cancellation letter
Send a written cancellation notice citing the CRA 2015 or Consumer Contracts Regulations. Request immediate confirmation of cancellation and a refund of any post-cancellation charges.
Chargeback request (if charges continue)
If charges continue after cancellation, instruct your bank to process a chargeback. Fight My Corner generates this letter too.
Trading Standards or small claims
For persistent issues, report to Trading Standards (via Citizens Advice) or pursue small claims court.
Possible next steps
Trading Standards / Small Claims Court
Trading Standards can investigate and prosecute businesses that use unfair contract terms. For individual refunds, the small claims court is often quicker.
This is general guidance only. Whether an external scheme applies depends on the company, its membership, the complaint stage, and verified case facts. Fight My Corner does not currently start an external route.
Important warnings
Some gym contracts have minimum terms that are contractually binding - check the specific term being challenged.
Auto-renewal without clear prior notice is challengeable, but you must act promptly after the renewal date.
Cancelling a direct debit is not the same as cancelling a contract - the company can still pursue the debt.
Tips & practical advice
Keep screenshots of the original sign-up page, especially the cancellation terms - these are key evidence if the company tries to enforce them.
What Fight My Corner covers for this dispute
What's included
- Formal cancellation notices
- Challenges to unfair cancellation terms
- Refund requests for post-cancellation charges
- Chargeback request letters to your bank
What's not included
- Personal injury claims against gyms
Start your fact-checking intake
Tell us what happened with gyms & subscriptions. We'll save the facts you confirm and check the company classification. No letter is generated at this stage.
Legal disclaimer · Fight My Corner provides dispute guidance, not legal advice.