Financial Ombudsman Service Route | Route 2 | Redress Advisory | Redress Advisory
No cold calls — ever No upfront cost 14-day right to cancel FCA CMC authorisation pending Free to claim direct via FOS or FSCS
Route 2 — Financial Ombudsman Service

Taking your case to the Financial Ombudsman

The FOS is a free, independent service that adjudicates pension complaints when firms reject them. The FOS upholds 55–77% of DB transfer complaints nationally. Awards of up to £455,000 apply.

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In plain English: If the firm that advised you has rejected your complaint, or has not responded within 8 weeks, you can take your case to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). The FOS investigates independently. The firm cannot ignore a FOS finding. Redress Advisory prepares and manages your FOS case.
£455k
Maximum FOS award (post-April 2019 advice)
£205k
Maximum FOS award (pre-April 2019 advice)
55–77%
FOS uphold rate for DB transfer complaints

When can you use the FOS?

After a firm rejects your complaint

You have 6 months from the date of the firm’s Final Response Letter to refer your complaint to the FOS. Do not miss this window — after 6 months the FOS will generally not accept the complaint.

If the firm does not respond within 8 weeks

If the firm fails to issue a Final Response within 8 weeks of your complaint, you can refer straight to the FOS without waiting further.

Within the FOS time limits

The FOS applies a 6-year absolute clock from when the advice was given, and a 3-year clock from when you first found out something was wrong. Both clocks apply simultaneously. Check your position →

How the FOS process works

We prepare your FOS submission

We draft the full FOS referral — complaint summary, evidence bundle, loss calculation, and legal framework. The quality of the submission matters significantly.

FOS acknowledges and assigns a case handler

The FOS typically acknowledges within a few weeks and assigns a case handler who investigates both sides of the complaint.

Investigator’s provisional view (typically 12–18 months)

The FOS investigator issues a provisional finding. Both sides can respond. In many cases the firm accepts the provisional finding and pays at this stage.

Ombudsman’s final decision (if disputed)

If the firm disputes the finding, it goes to an ombudsman for a binding final decision. This adds time but the decision is legally enforceable.

Compensation paid directly to you

The FOS directs the firm to pay compensation. Payment goes directly to you. We then invoice for our agreed success fee.

⚠  The 6-month window from rejection is absolute

If you have received a Final Response Letter from a firm rejecting your complaint, you have exactly 6 months from that letter to refer to the FOS. After 6 months the FOS will not accept the case. If you have a rejection letter, act immediately.

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Takes under 3 minutes · No obligation · We will never cold-call you

Redress Advisory Ltd is applying for authorisation by the Financial Conduct Authority as a Claims Management Company (FCA reference: to be confirmed on authorisation). Company number: 17295681. Registered office: 20 Wenlock Road, London N1 7GU. Route 2 is managed directly by Redress Advisory.

Your rights and our fees — in plain English

You do not have to use us

You can complain directly to the firm, or refer to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) or FSCS — both completely free. If you use the free routes, you keep 100% of any compensation awarded.

Our fees — success only, FCA capped
Redress received Max % Max fee
Up to £1,49930%£420
£1,500–£9,99928%£2,500
£10,000–£24,99925%£5,000
£25,000–£49,99920%£7,500
£50,000 and above15%£10,000

Compensation is paid directly to you. We invoice after you receive your compensation. You pay nothing if unsuccessful. Source: FCA PS21/18 (Chapter 2, Table 1) & CMCOB 5.2. Excl. VAT.

14-day right to cancel

If you sign a client agreement with us, you may cancel it within 14 days without any charge or obligation. No questions asked.

If you are unhappy with our service

Contact us at complaints@redressadvisory.com. If we cannot resolve your complaint you may refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service free of charge within 6 months of our final response.