Dual Representation in Car Finance Claims: What It Means and What to Do
If you have contacted more than one claims management company or law firm about the same car finance complaint, you may find that more than one business believes it has permission to act for you.
This is known as dual representation. The Financial Conduct Authority, FCA, and Solicitors Regulation Authority, SRA, generally refer to it as multiple representation.
It can create uncertainty about who should manage your complaint and, in some cases, could lead to delays or questions about cancellation fees.
Here, Mis-sold Expert explains what dual representation means, how to check whether another representative may already be acting for you and what to consider before changing or cancelling an existing agreement.
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What is dual representation?
Dual representation happens when two or more claims management companies, CMCs, or law firms believe they have authority to manage the same car finance complaint.
The FCA and SRA use the term multiple representation when discussing this issue. In February 2026, the regulators warned CMCs and law firms involved in motor finance commission claims that they should have checks in place to identify consumers who already have another representative.
You may not always realise that you have appointed more than one company. For example, you may have completed forms with several businesses while researching a potential car finance complaint.
An initial enquiry does not necessarily mean that you have appointed a representative. What matters is what you agreed to, the terms you accepted and any authority you gave the business.
You may also see people search for "duel rep car finance claim". The correct term is dual representation, although these searches usually relate to the same issue.
Why has dual representation become an issue with car finance claims?
Large numbers of consumers have made enquiries about motor finance commission complaints. In some cases, the FCA says, consumers have ended up with more than one professional representative acting on the same complaint.
On 4 February 2026, the FCA and SRA issued a joint warning to CMCs and law firms about multiple representation and excessive termination fees. The regulators said representatives should carry out appropriate checks before taking on a client and should resolve existing duplicate representation promptly.
The FCA also wrote to motor finance lenders on the same date about complaints involving multiple representatives. It said lenders and professional representatives should work together to establish who is acting for the consumer and support good consumer outcomes.
Signs that another company may already be acting for you
It is worth checking whether you have:
Completed a car finance claim or complaint form with more than one company.
Accepted terms and conditions from different CMCs or law firms.
Signed or accepted more than one Letter of Authority.
Received complaint updates from different representatives.
Been told by your finance provider that another business is already acting for you.
None of these points should be considered in isolation. The agreement you entered into and the authority you provided will help establish whether a particular firm was appointed.
How to check for dual representation
1. Search your previous emails and messages
Start by checking your email inbox, text messages and other correspondence.
Useful search terms can include:
- Car finance complaint
- Car finance claim
- Mis sold car finance
- Motor finance commission
- Claims management company
- Letter of Authority
- Terms and conditions
You may find confirmation emails, signed documents or other records showing which businesses you contacted.
2. Review any agreements and Letters of Authority
Check any terms, contracts and Letters of Authority you find.
Look for information explaining when you instructed the company, what authority you gave it and how the agreement can be cancelled.
FCA authorised CMCs must give consumers important information before a contract is signed, including information about cancellation rights and charges.
3. Check which firm is currently acting
If two firms appear to be involved, tell them that another representative may also have authority.
The firms can review the relevant agreements and establish how the duplicate representation should be resolved.
The FCA and SRA have said that, where there is more than one representative, firms should engage with the consumer and other representatives to establish how the consumer wants to proceed.
Does dual representation affect your car finance complaint?
Having two representatives does not mean you will receive more compensation.
The amount, if any, available through a complaint or redress process depends on the circumstances of the underlying finance agreement, not on how many representatives have been appointed.
Multiple representation can instead create administrative problems while the lender and representatives establish who has authority to act.
The FCA has specifically highlighted the risk of unnecessary delays and termination fees where multiple representation is not resolved.
Dual representation and the FCA motor finance redress scheme
The question of who represents you is separate from whether your finance agreement falls within the FCA's motor finance consumer redress scheme.
The FCA introduced its motor finance consumer redress scheme on 30 March 2026 for certain motor finance agreements entered into between 2007 and 2024.
However, the scheme is currently subject to legal challenges. The Upper Tribunal partially suspended parts of the scheme, with the FCA announcing the suspension on 2 July 2026. While that legal process continues, lenders are not currently required to calculate or pay compensation under the suspended parts of the scheme. Other requirements remain in force.
Importantly for dual representation, the FCA says firms should continue working with claims companies to resolve cases where consumers are represented by more than one party.
The position may change as the legal proceedings progress, so current FCA information should be checked when considering the status of the redress scheme.
What should you consider before changing representatives?
Before appointing another CMC or law firm, check whether you already have an agreement in place.
For FCA authorised CMCs, you should receive a 14 day cooling off period in which you can cancel without being charged. If you cancel after that period, you may be charged a fee depending on the agreement and the work completed.
The FCA says termination fees must reflect the work carried out by the CMC and must not exceed what is reasonable in the circumstances. An FCA authorised CMC should also provide an itemised bill explaining the work undertaken and how any charges have been calculated.
In its February 2026 joint statement with the SRA, the FCA also warned representatives against excessive termination fees where consumers have multiple representatives.
Law firms operate under separate regulatory requirements, so you should check the firm's agreement and the relevant legal regulator's information where applicable.
Can you make a car finance complaint without a CMC?
Yes. You do not have to use a claims management company to make a complaint. The FCA confirms that consumers can pursue financial services complaints themselves for free.
Depending on the complaint and the stage it has reached, you may also be able to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service without using a CMC.
Using professional representation is a choice. If you decide to use a CMC or law firm, read its terms, fees and cancellation provisions before agreeing to proceed.
What should you do if you discover dual representation?
If you think more than one company may be acting for you, the first step is to establish what you agreed to.
Check your documents and tell the businesses involved that another representative may also have been appointed.
Do not assume that the newest agreement automatically cancels an earlier one. The terms of each agreement and the circumstances in which it was entered into need to be considered.
You should also understand any possible cancellation charges before ending an agreement.
Forgotten which companies you contacted?
Previous emails, text messages, agreements and Letters of Authority can help you establish whether another CMC or law firm may already have permission to act.
If you are already a Mis-sold Expert client and think another representative may also be acting on your complaint, we can help you understand what this means, and what to do next. Before changing or cancelling representation, the relevant agreement must be reviewed.
Mis-sold Expert may handle a complaint directly or refer it to a panel of solicitors. If referred, Mis-sold Expert may receive a commission. This does not affect the amount received.
This information is provided for general purposes and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Eligibility and the outcome of any complaint depend on individual circumstances.
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