After a record year in 2021, with 351 awards for M1 Legal clients totalling £5.9 million, 2022 began in the same vein with a series of major Spanish court victories in January. M1 Legal reported 20 awards where the judge declared the timeshare contract null and void in Spain and ordered compensation totalling £301,647.
Most of the wins (15 in total) were against Anfi and Club La Costa World, valued at £251,429. The remaining £50,218 was awarded across five other resorts. Notable results included a £38,982 award against Onagrup and a £37,866 appeal win against Diamond Resorts.
Consumer protections were introduced to tackle high-pressure timeshare sales, and they have particular relevance for agreements caught by the illegal timeshare contract Spain 1999 law position. For many European owners with contracts dated after 5 January 1999, this can mean there may be a route to Spanish timeshare claims compensation and guidance on how to claim back timeshare money in Spain, depending on the facts of the case.
In 2017, M1 Legal secured its first Spanish court win against timeshare giant Club La Costa. Since then, the firm has continued to build its track record in Club La Costa timeshare claim Spain matters and wider Spanish litigation.
M1 Legal has continued to press timeshare consumer rights cases involving unlawful agreements, contributing to legal precedents where a timeshare contract is declared null Spain.
In 2021, Barclays Partner Finance (BPF) agreed to pay compensation in excess of £48 million to timeshare owners who were mis-sold finance for the Maltese timeshare company Azure. This development is often referenced by consumers searching for Barclays Partner Finance timeshare compensation.
The story was reported by The Times, the Financial Times and other major news outlets. The remediation process began in September 2021 and was expected to complete by April 2022.
Adriana Stoyanova (also known as the “Erin Brockovich of timeshare”) was the solicitor collaborating with M1 Legal who led the campaign with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
More appalling behaviour from Club La Costa
In 2021, Club La Costa reported that, at the height of the pandemic, profits rose. RMF Europe Ltd, a key company within the CLC group’s management structure, increased profits by 38.2% compared with the previous year.
This was attributed to two main factors:
CLC continuing to demand full maintenance fees despite minimal expenditure; and staff wages being paid by UK and Spanish government schemes. Alongside this, CLC was criticised for deferring its legal obligations regarding compensation.
In addition to the profit generated by the policies above, the company applied for (and received) a €5 million low-interest, government-backed loan (including a guaranteed one-year payment holiday) intended to support businesses facing COVID-related income loss. The €5 million further increased CLC’s funds while other businesses in genuine need were fighting for their survival.
Also in 2021, CLC’s creditors achieved a significant result by replacing the existing administrators (BDO) with the preferred firm FRP. An early step by FRP was securing a 12-month extension to the administration, allowing more time to examine CLC’s “complex” finances.
2022 was expected to bring further progress in the compensation award battle. We will keep you informed as the FRP administration process develops.
2022 Maintenance Fees
Many timeshare owners remain angry about paying maintenance fees through the pandemic without receiving a holiday in return, and are actively exploring ways to leave their memberships.
Resorts have faced criticism for perceived greed during the pandemic, and owners are increasingly questioning why they should keep paying for products that feel outdated and restrictive.
Minimal resort running costs
Since the start of the pandemic, some timeshare operators have reported strong results while resort closures and furlough schemes reduced operating costs. Although some resorts partially re-opened, many facilities were reduced, scaled back or removed.
Timeshare units being advertised
Timeshare resorts are no longer seen as exclusive, and many units can be booked through mainstream travel sites such as Booking.com. Owners are asking why resorts market inventory elsewhere while claiming there is limited availability for existing members.
Rebranding
Club La Costa, Wyndham and Diamond Resorts under Hilton" />
In 2021, two of the largest European timeshare brands entered arrangements with larger timeshare groups and were rebranded. Club La Costa announced a ‘partnership’ with the Wyndham network, and Diamond Resorts became part of Hilton.
Owners are concerned about how these changes could affect their memberships and whether additional costs may follow.
Is it time to regain your holiday freedom and free yourself from ongoing maintenance fees?
If you want to understand your legal rights — including issues such as an Anfi timeshare contract null and void finding, a Diamond Resorts timeshare claim Spain, or other M1 Legal Spanish court timeshare wins — and discuss your options…
