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Two-thirds of Brits sign on the dotted line without reading T&Cs

by: Tahmina Mannan
  • 11/09/2013
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Two-thirds of Brits sign on the dotted line without reading T&Cs
Nearly two thirds of Brits have signed a document without reading it first, as complicated legalese continues to baffle the nation.

This article was originally published on Your Money

A survey of 1,000 adults by Saga Legal found 63% have signed legal and official documents or forms without fully reading them first with the biggest reason for skipping through the details being the baffling jargon.

A fifth has signed a mobile contract without reading through the contract, while 13% did not read their mortgage agreement or property rental before putting pen to paper.

The survey also found 15% even took out a loan agreement without checking what they were getting themselves into. Around 8% have signed a job contract and 6% have even signed a will, lasting power of attorney or other legal document without studying what it means or involves.

The report said that the biggest reason Brits were signing important documents without fully reading through and understanding what they are agreeing to was because of the legalese and jargon that is used for legal documents.

Many legal firms use technical phrases like chattel, codicil and intestate when talking to members of the public but are not necessarily explaining their meaning clearly, the report said.

Emma Myers from Saga Legal said: “Too much technical jargon clogging up legal documents both bores and confuses making it quite understandable that Britons are reluctant to read in full.

“Yet as mind-numbing as small print can be, signing a legally-binding document without fully reading and understanding can have serious legal implications later on. Now our lives are increasingly being lived online, it’s particularly worrying that the number one document Britons don’t read before signing is terms and conditions on websites.”

Top ten documents we sign without reading

1) Online terms and conditions (41%)
2) For a parcel (28%)
3) Contract for mobile phone/tablet (20%)
4) Direct debit agreement (16%)
5) Hire purchase agreement (15%)
6) Loan (15%)
7) Mortgage agreement or property rental (13%)
8) Car hire (10%)
9) Job contract (8%)
10) A will, power of attorney or other legal document (6%)

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